When I was a very young kid, I heard the record collection of my parents, which was pretty much classical music and not much more. So, I grew up hearing Chopin, Bach, Mozart, and my brother was a huge Beethoven fan, although I wasn’t much into Ludwig’s oeuvre. But when I was 13 years old, something magical happened. I was watching our black-and-white TV set when a close-up shot of the hands of a man playing the piano captivated me instantly. The video was ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen, and my path to rock ‘n’ roll began right there. And that path led me, obviously, to Brian May.

A Unique Genius

Imagine it’s the mid-70s, and the rock world is brimming with flashy virtuosos wielding Fender Stratocasters and Gibson SGs. Amidst this guitar glitz, a young curly-haired student of astrophyisics with a homemade guitar steps onto the stage. This isn’t just anyone—it’s Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, poised to carve a distinct sonic niche in rock history.

Brian May’s rise to fame is a tale of uniqueness and audacity. His signature guitar, the Red Special—built with his father—becomes his sonic sword. May’s ability to merge melodic, orchestral, and crunching hard rock tones sets him apart. With anthems like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You,” his layered guitar orchestrations create a sound so vast that it feels like an army of guitars, all distinctively May’s.

The Rock Star and His Red Special

So what makes Brian May not just a guitarist but a phenomenon? It’s not just his PhD in astrophysics that makes him stand out; it’s how he uses his intellectual depth to forge sounds that are both innovative and timeless. His Red Special, an extension of his own technical acumen, allows him to explore tones that are simply unachievable with standard off-the-shelf guitars.

Brian uses nothing but his Red Special, except for acoustic work (obviously) and for that he’s famous for his Ovation 12-string guitar for the acoustic version of ‘Love of My Life’. The other notorious use of a different guitar from the Red Special is the solo of ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’ that carved for a twangy Fender sound, hence the use of a Telecaster.

A song within a song

Brian May is the author of many memorable riffs carved into guitar history, and his solos are simply brilliant. It’s hard to find any solo of his that is just technical pyrotechnics, carelessly improvised, or boring. Brian is a true craftsman of melodies that are, in some ways, a song within a song. E or A keys that are our favorites as guitarists, but many of Queen’s songs were written on the piano by Freddie Mercury in keys like Bb. The hard-rock riff in the third part of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ the classic head-banger, was written on the piano by Freddie. Brian says it is the least intuitive thing you can imagine and play on a guitar, yet he can tackle these challenges gracefully.

Top 10 Tracks to Experience Brian May’s Genius

1. “Brighton Rock” – This track showcases May’s phenomenal control over tone and texture, featuring a guitar solo that practically sings.
2. “Killer Queen” – His multi-track harmony leads on this song are a masterclass in arranging and studio innovation. The solo is truly a piece of art in itself.
3. “Tie Your Mother Down” – A raw, riff-driven rock track that highlights May’s ability to meld aggression with melody.
4. “Stone Cold Crazy” – The riff is so Metal, that Metallica covered it and converted it into a masterpiece of speed-metal. Although Freddie’s piano provided many of Queen’s hits, Brian was the lion in a cage fuelling the rock’n’roll into the band’s work.
5. “Now I’m here” – The use of delay in Freddie’s vocal and Brian’s strings is mesmerizing.
6. “Don’t Stop Me Now” – Although Briand didn’t like this song, he wrote a brilliant solo for it, which tells us about his professionalism and commitment to serve the song, not his ego.
7. “Dragon Attack” – The so-called ‘Disco’ era for Queen was criticized by everyone but hard-core Queen fans. Yet, this song proved to be a staple for rock sound for ages, very well grounded in funk’s groove with a gritty touch. Both the main riff and the solo shine. Nice!
8. “Sail Away Sweet Sister” – One of the true hidden gems in the Queen repertoire, you can hear Brian’s voice vocally and from his guitar. This song features yet another genius solo.
9. “The Invisible Man” – Although a relatively obscure Queen song, the solo and use of delay effect is both fun and surprisingly effective.
10. “These Are the Days of Our Lives” – A softer side of May, where his guitar gently weeps in harmony with the nostalgic tone of the song.

Brian May’s Sonic Arsenal

For fans and aspiring guitarists desiring a touch of May’s sound without the hefty price tag, several models offer a taste of his tone:

• Guitar – Brian May Guitars brand replicates his sound with models such as the BMG Special priced under $1,000.

• But also there are other options. Within the PRS SE range, the PRS SE Custom 24 stands out with its dual humbucking pickups and coil-splitting for versatility akin to Brian May’s tones. The Yamaha Pacifica 612VII, with its mix of single coil and humbucker pickups and the Ibanez RG421‘s HSH configuration, offer affordable paths to May’s sound, especially with a treble booster and precise amp settings.

• Vox AC30 Amplifier – May’s amplifier of choice, known for its bright, clean tones that perfectly complement his guitar work.
• Effects – Brian frequently uses a delay to create an echo effect that enhances the fullness of his playing, often setting up multiple delays to achieve a complex, layered sound in live performances. Additionally, a chorus effect is sometimes employed to add a shimmering texture to his clean tones. Brian May achieves his distinctive treble boost and overdrive through a mix of custom-built hardware and carefully chosen pedals. He primarily uses a custom-made treble booster, initially modeled after the “Dallas Rangemaster,” tailored to enhance his setup’s higher frequencies and amplify the signal entering his VOX AC30 amps. This setup creates the bright, clear lead tones characteristic of his sound. For overdrive, May generally relies on the natural overdrive of his VOX AC30s driven at high volumes, complemented occasionally by light overdrive pedals to add warmth and sustain. This meticulous configuration of his guitar’s pickups, treble booster, overdrive pedal, and amp settings forms the backbone of his iconic sonic signature.
• AmpliTube Custom Sounds – Brian May created a set of custom-built patches for specific songs from his 70s, 80s, and 90s eras. There are interesting custom-built effects, i.e. a pickup simulator to emulate all the on-phase and out-of-phase tones from the Red Special and a custom treble booster.

Conclusion: The Legacy of a Rock Scholar

Today, Brian May’s image—wild-haired, using a coin as a pick, coaxing rich harmonies out of his Red Special—remains indelibly imprinted in the collective memory of rock enthusiasts. The appreciation for his music, sound, solos, and overall contribution to rock ‘n’ roll grows every day. He does more than play music; he has crafted a legacy of innovation, expression, and passion. Whether on a stadium stage or in a quiet studio, Brian May inspires musicians to not just play but to create melodies, find intricate harmonies, and experiment with tone. His sonic voice is instantly recognizable, a rich blend of his knowledge, craftsmanship, and creativity. But beyond all that, Brian May is a great person, an excellent human being who is compassionate and generous. He continues to surprise us with his scientific experiments and research, his humanitarian efforts, his charity work, and animal rights advocacy. He is much more than your average sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll rockstar; he is a shining star that leads the way and, yes, that rocks.

Bonus Track: 10 Fun Facts About Brian May

1. Astrophysicist: May completed his PhD in astrophysics in 2007, a testament to his dedication and intellectual curiosity.
2. Animal Rights Activist: A vocal advocate for animal rights, Brian uses his platform to promote causes protecting wildlife.
3. Stereoscopic Photography Enthusiast: May has a deep interest in Victorian stereoscopic photography.
4. Composer of Musicals: He ventured into musical theatre, notably contributing to the score of the “We Will Rock You” musical based on Queen’s songs.
5. DIY Guitar Builder: The Red Special was built from non-traditional materials, including parts of an old fireplace and a knitting needle.
6. Collaborations: May has collaborated with other artists, from My Chemical Romance or Eddie Van Halen to Lady Gaga.
7. Patron of Science: He is a patron to multiple scientific organizations and uses his platform to promote science education.
8. 3-D Book Publisher: Brian has published several books on the history and art of stereoscopic photography.
9. Wildlife Conservationist: His devotion to wildlife conservation led him to found the “Save Me” trust.
10. Inspirational Speaker: May often speaks at universities and conferences, sharing insights from his dual careers in music and science.