Brian May

Latest about Brian May

Brian May of Queen performs at the "We Will Rock You" musical premiere at Stage Palladium Theater on October 17, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.
“This is the kind of guitar playing that melts me.” Brian May on the guitarist who left even the Queen legend humbled

By Phil Weller Published

The Queen guitarist has been named the greatest rock guitarist of all time — but when it came to this late blues-rock icon, even May could only stand back and marvel.

Guitarists
Freddie Mercury and Brian May perform with Queen circa 1976
Freddie Mercury didn’t want a guitar solo. Brian May fought for it — and created one of Queen’s most celebrated moments on record

By Phil Weller Published

May says creative friction was part of the process that made the group so successful

Guitarists
Freddie Mercury and Brian May of the band Queen at Live Aid on July 13, 1985 in London, United Kingdom.
Brian May names the guitar solo he considers the greatest in the world

By Phil Weller Published

The solo changed the Queen guitarist’s life, but when he tried to pay tribute to its writer, the effort backfired spectacularly

Guitarists
Brian May of Queen performs at the "We Will Rock You" musical premiere at Stage Palladium Theater on October 17, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.
“He just made me feel like I couldn’t play.” Brian May thought he'd seen it all — until two guitar heroes proved him wrong

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

May recalls the impact of seeing Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix perform and how it pushed him to become a better guitarist

Guitarists
Steve Cropper poses for a portrait shoot with his Signature Peavey Cropper Classic guitar, Milton Keynes, September 13, 2011.
The last music Steve Cropper heard before he died was his own new album

By Phil Weller Published

The Stax guitar icon gave his blessing to ‘Watching the Tide’ hours before his passing, leaving behind one last statement from the soul-music pioneer.

Albums, Singles & New Releases
Freddie Mercury of Queen, 1982 Tour at the Various Locations in Oakland, California
“He said ‘I’ll f***ing do it, darling!’” Brian May on Freddie Mercury’s most defiant recording

By Elizabeth Swann Last updated

May recalls how the dying singer downed a vodka and delivered one of the greatest vocals of his life 

Music
Freddie Mercury (left) and Brian May of Queen perform live at The Oakland Coliseum in 1977 in Oakland, California.
Brian May on the chart-topping Queen hit Freddie Mercury composed while getting ready one morning

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

John Lennon said the song inspired his return to the studio in 1980 for his final album, ‘Double Fantasy’

Music
Brian May of Queen performs during the "We Will Rock You" musical premiere at Stage Palladium Theater on October 17, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Brian May says Queen will not perform in the U.S. “Everyone is thinking twice”

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

May’s comments come in the wake of ICE killings in Minnesota

Guitarists
Guitarist Brian May of Queen performs at the "We Will Rock You" musical premiere at Stage Palladium Theater on October 17, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Brian May on the surprising reason Queen refuse to play one of summers’ most celebrated music festivals 

By Elizabeth Swann Published

The guitarist also gives an update on Queen‘s future touring plans

Guitarists
Brian MAY and Freddie MERCURY and QUEEN; Freddie Mercury and Brian May performing live on stage
Brian May on Freddie Mercury and the mega-hit that changed Queen’s relationship with their audience

By Christopher Scapelliti Published

The tune was a highlight of ‘News of the World,’ the album on which Queen brought their fans into the act

Music
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