Brian May is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential,
innovative, technically gifted and recognisable guitarists in the
history of rock. He is also a prolific songwriter, responsible for
writing or co-writing many international hits with
Queen. He was educated at Hampton Grammar School in London. He then graduated with
a degree in Maths and Physics from one of Britain's top universities,
Imperial College London.
As a child, May built his own guitar with his father, partly out of an
old fireplace. Unusually, the guitar was designed to feedback. He
formed the band Smile while at university with drummer
Roger Taylor. They were later
joined by flamboyant singer and pianist
Freddie Mercury, who renamed the band
Queen. The addition of bass player
John Deacon completed the line-up of a band
which would go on to become one of the most successful in the history
of popular music. May's guitar playing would become an integral part of
Queen's sound.
May was influenced as a guitarist by the likes of
Jimi Hendrix and
Led Zeppelin's
Jimmy Page, who had dazzled audiences
with their technical skills and volume, but he was also an admirer of
the melodic skills of
George Harrison of
The Beatles and the original British rock
and roll guitar hero, Hank B. Marvin of
The Shadows.
What made May stand out as a guitarist was his combination of virtuoso
technique but also melodic awareness. Unlike some virtuosos, who only
play to showcase their ability, May always played to serve the songs.
If a song only required minimal soloing, that's all he would do. His
multi-tracking of guitar solos has also made him one of the most unique
sounding guitarists in the world. Nowhere was this better exemplified
than on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", the song which came to define the
band more than any other and has become one of the most celebrated
recordings in the history of rock music. May's solos are a big part of
what gives the track its enduring appeal and emotional power.
May's legacy in music history is assured. He will be remembered along
with the likes of
George Harrison,
Eric Clapton,
Jeff Beck and
Jimmy Page as one of the most
important and influential guitarists to come out of England. His songs
for Queen were often their harder rock tracks, such as "We Will Rock
You", "Tie Your Mother Down" and "Hammer to Fall", but he also wrote
emotional songs such as "Save Me" and the symphonic "Who Wants to Live
Forever", which proved his versatility as a songwriter.
