Brian May

Latest about Brian May

Brian May and David Bowie, in 1980 and 1982 respectively
“It’s probably the only time in my career I bowed out, because I knew it was going to be a fight… most of that heavy guitar was lost”: Brian May says David Bowie removed his electric guitar riffs on Under Pressure – and he never liked the results

By Matt Parker Published

The Queen guitar legend says the song originally sounded more like a Who-style rocker, but Bowie had other ideas…

Music Releases
Brian May and Tony Iommi jamming Black Sabbath's Paranoid
“I’m going to commit sacrilege by joining in!” Footage of Brian May and Tony Iommi jamming together finally surfaces as the Queen legend solos over Black Sabbath’s Paranoid in this exclusive clip

By Matt Owen Published

While filming a new documentary titled Great Guitar Riffs, the two guitar titans took the opportunity to jam the Black Sabbath classic – and discuss its humble origins

Guitarists
Joe Satriani wearing a Santa hat
It’s been covered by Steve Morse, Steve Lukather and Eddie Van Halen – but if Joe Satriani and Brian May tackled Joy to the World, it would sound a little something like this

By Jamie Humphries Published

Learn a highly shreddable version of this Christmas carol classic, inspired by Satriani and May

Lessons
Brian May Guitars Vision electric guitar
Brian May Guitars unveils the Vision, a mash-up of the Red Special, a ’90s Guild and the Les Paul double-cut

By Matt Owen Published

The Queen icon’s legendary signature model has filtered down into a dual-humbucker, hardtail-equipped build

Electric Guitars
Vox MV50-BM Brian May Limited Edition Set
Vox MV50-BM Brian May Limited Edition Set review: a tiny 50W Nutube head fit for Queen

By Nick Guppy Published

A signature version of Vox’s unique Nutube micro head that’s instant Queen at Wembley – and nearly as loud

Guitar Amp Heads
Brian May (left) and Eddie Van Halen
Brian May says this Queen song inspired Eddie Van Halen’s two-hand tapping technique

By Matt Owen Published

Along with Jimmy Page's Heartbreaker solo, May's tap-heavy lead effort from a 1977 Queen song proved to be an influential force in EVH's own approach

Guitarists
Nuno Bettencourt, Zakk Wylde and Steve Vai
“He’s the funkiest dude in the shredder family tree”: The world’s greatest guitarists explain why Nuno Bettencourt isn’t your typical guitar hero

By Richard Bienstock Published

Brian May, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai and Tom Morello join an all-star cast to explain what makes the Extreme virtuoso one of the guitar world’s most valuable players

Guitarists
Brian May
“Picks were too bendy. I couldn’t feel what was happening as the thing touched the string”: Brian May explains why he uses sixpences instead of picks

By Matt Owen Published

The Queen hero has used a sixpence to craft his most iconic solos and riffs – here's why

Guitarists
Vox Amplug Set Brian May Limited Edition
Vox amPlug Brian May Special Edition Set review

By Stuart Williams Published

Vox’s mini headphone guitar amp gets a royal ascent, courtesy of the Queen guitar legend

Headphone Amps
(from left) James Burton, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Brian May, Harry Churchill, Toby Lee and Arielle perform onstage at the London Palladium on June 4, 2023
Watch Brian May, James Burton, Arielle, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram and 11-year-old Britain's Got Talent star Harry Churchill rock Johnny B. Goode

By Jackson Maxwell Published

Albert Lee, Ronnie Wood, Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter and Tommy Emmanuel were also on hand at the London Palladium for a tribute to Burton, a legendary guitarist most famous for his tenure as Elvis Presley's six-string sidekick

Artists
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