Brian May
Latest about Brian May

Brian May fought to add a rhythm guitarist to Queen in their early years – and several players would eventually grant his wish
By Janelle Borg published
While May got into the habit of playing lead and rhythm at the same time, he did sometimes get the extra helping hand he had envisioned – including from Freddie Mercury himself

In 1969, a young Brian May hid in a venue to speak to Rory Gallagher – and it led to his tonal breakthrough
By Janelle Borg published
The Irish blues rock legend gave May a tonal template that he says he’s never bettered

Brian May issues health update after suffering ‘minor stroke’ last year
By Matt Owen published
The Queen guitar hero suffered a health scare late last year, which left him briefly fearing he might not be able to pick up the guitar again

“It sounded awful. I could hardly play”: Brian May on the one time he experimented with a Marshall stack
By Jackson Maxwell published
The Vox AC30 amp/Red Special guitar combo is one of the most iconic in rock, but the Queen guitar hero didn't solidify that setup straight away

“There was a time you wouldn’t have touched a Superstrat”: How Chris Shiflett learned to love his inner shredder
By Ellie Rogers published
The Foo Fighters guitarist discusses playing with Brian May, the lessons of his podcast – and how his new Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe got its name

Chris Shiflett on what it's like to share the stage with Macca – and Brian May
By Phil Weller published
After joining the Foo Fighters, Shiflett found himself rubbing shoulders with some of the best in the business

Tony Iommi on hanging out with Jimmy Page and Brian May, early Sabbath – and his time with Jethro Tull
By Amit Sharma published
The godfather of heavy metal takes us through the unimpeachable majesty of Black Sabbath’s first six records, his gear choices – old and new – and how that new solo album is coming along...

Steve Cropper on writing Green Onions, stressing out Brian May and the secret of Billy Gibbons’ guitar style
By Phil Weller published
Cropper says he isn't a great guitar player but if you co-wrote Green Onions and (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay, you don't need technical wizardry. He walks us through a career marked by hits, grooves and soul

Brian May, Billy Gibbons and Steve Cropper on how the three guitar icons learned to play together
By Andrew Daly published
For the latest record from Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour, the Stax legend enlists two equally iconic players. Here three kings of the six-string tell us what went down in Friendlytown

Why Brian May and Queen were unhappy with their debut album – and how the newly revamped version fixes the “very dry” guitar parts
By Janelle Borg published
Queen just released a remixed version of their iconic 1973 debut, and Brian May reveals that “every instrument has been re-examined from the bottom up”
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!