Brian May named the greatest ever by “Total Guitar”

[tbonesullivan]

While I hate the "Greatest of All Time" crap, Brian May is an incredible musician and guitarist. He's also a great songwriter, and a singer. He really doesn't get his due for his incredible level of talent, as well as his VERY unique playing style.

I still have trouble believing that someone with those huge hands can play a 24" scale guitar with 24 frets with such dexterity.

I remember that early Queen albums had disclaimers saying that synthesizers weren't used. This wasn't because they were anti-synth, it's because they wanted people to know that Brian May made all those tones and sounds with JUST his guitar, and a whole lot of crazy recording tricks. That was also well before the digital effects revolution.

[ZR]

Yep, Tom Sholz put almost those same words on some of their albums too re. sounds made by guitars by people actually playing them... Something like that anyway.

[Jakeboy]

Other than his tone and phrasing, what I really like about Dr May is his ability to create in the studio. The way he layers the guitar parts, all complimentary to each other is astounding. It ain’t easy. Just listen to Killer Queen. 
Jimmy Page is forever the master at studio guitar recording , but May is really good at this oft-overlooked aspect of his genius.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

As I said in the EVH thread, I came of age of interest in guitars and guitarists with Hair Metal and the rock magazines of that time, so I don't consider May a guitar hero.

A good player, definitely, innovative and influential, but, well... Let me explain.

I came of age with Hair Metal as I entered my teens in 1982, but my favorite band is still Styx. Hair Metal influenced what I think of guitarists, but my favorite style of music is still the late 70s/early 80s rock of Styx, Queen, Journey, Foreigner, Kansas, and REO Speedwagon.  So I don't slight Brian May as a good guitarist.

But even among that group of bands/guitarists, May didn't seem as much of a guitar hero as even Kerry Livgren. He had some good songs, but his hard rock (which I craved) only seemed to be 2-3 songs per album, if that. I'm sure there's some good stuff I'm missing, but I have no real interest in anything after "Jazz", which I consider the peak of his playing and composing. They were still putting out albums, but they were more pop...barely Rock, in my opinion.  So it's difficult for me to think of him even in the conversation as the Greatest Rock Guitarist of All Time.

Doesn't mean he wasn't a great guitarist, of course.  Maybe just more that he (and Queen) went his (their) own way so much, he's just his own thing.

[BubbaVO]

The Greatest?  Heh.

[Biz Prof]

On 6/15/2020 at 12:00 PM, kizanski said:

In that case, wouldn't you expect it to be Clapton then, he being "God" and all?

[FGJ]

On June 14, 2020 at 11:46 AM, scottcald said:

And don't forget Uncle Jesse from Full House!

 I have an off-topic story 'bout him. When I was in high school (back in the very early 80s), John Stamons and his band (I don't even recall their name; "Blackie and something or other") had a concert in our school. I was on the wrestling team and they used us as their "security" surrounding the stage. I remember having to pull a groping groupie off him (she jumped on the stage and rushed him, which freaked hm out). I didn't even know the guy actually had a band before that.

[FGJ]

Regarding May, I always thought it was his mid-range honk-quacky-inside-a-tube layered tone that made him unique.