Brian May’s Musical Legacy with Queen
Sir Brian May attained global fame and prestige as a founding and central figure of Queen, a band recognized as one of rock music’s most significant groups.
As Queen’s lead guitarist and occasional vocalist, May played a vital role in crafting many of their celebrated songs. His signature guitar riffs and melodies have resonated with audiences worldwide, exemplified by iconic solos in tracks like ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and ‘Brighton Rock’.
Brian May Cites Ritchie Blackmore as a Major Influence
To offer fans insight into the inspirations that shaped his distinctive sound, Brian May was interviewed in 2013 by Liz Barnes of My Planet Rock and asked to identify some of his favorite songs.
When prompted about his top guitar track, he quickly selected Rainbow’s ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’. “Okay, what has popped into my head is ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’, because I think is quintessential. I suppose you call it Pop Rock in a sense,” May stated.
He elaborated on his choice, praising Ritchie Blackmore: “But it’s uncompromising, it’s a great song and it’s brilliantly played. […] And of course Ritchie Blackmore playing guitar, who is extraordinary. People don’t talk about Ritchie Blackmore enough. I don’t know why. But he was such a trailblazer and technically incredible, unpredictable in every possible way which is great. I mean, that’s what you love isn’t?”
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“This is a good Pop record but that doesn’t take away from the fact that is great Rock music in my opinion. I think it’s perfect,” May concluded.
Ritchie Blackmore’s Reciprocal Respect for Queen
Blackmore’s admiration for May and Queen was indeed mutual. In an interview shared on his YouTube channel, Blackmore recounted his initial introduction to the band, recalling: “Queen, I first heard them doing a song about a train, this is about 1974 or 1975. I can’t remember the title but I was very impressed with the guitar playing and of course the singing”.
He further commented on Freddie Mercury’s vocal talent: “I’ve noticed that Freddie Mercury has a cross between Ronnie (James) Dio and almost like an opera operatic type of voice. To me he was a true star, he knew exactly how to milk an audience, what a musician.”
Blackmore Applauds May’s Guitar Prowess and Queen’s Success
Specifically addressing Brian May’s guitar skills, Blackmore lauded: “Some of the stuff they put down all those four part harmonies… very, very clever stuff. Of course there’s Brian, who is probably one of the nicest guys in the business. A brilliant guitar player to boot”.
“I’ve worked with Brian on other stuff and he is such a nice man. He is a bit too tall but he can’t help that. Wonderful band, excellent band and I was very surprised that they did so well in America,” Blackmore added.
Brian May’s List of Favorite Tracks
In addition to ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’, Brian May also listed several other cherished songs, including:
- Queen’s ‘Made in Heaven’
- Queen’s ‘I Want It All’
- Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’
- Buddy Holly’s ‘Maybe Baby’
- His collaboration with Kerry Ellis, ‘Anthem’