Brian May’s Transformative Encounter with rory Gallagher: The Gear That Shaped Queen’s Sound
In a recent interview, Brian May shared the profound impact of meeting rory Gallagher backstage during the late 1960s, a moment that significantly influenced his choice of musical equipment. May, the legendary guitarist known for his iconic Red Special, expressed his initial desire for Queen to include a rhythm guitarist when the band was first established.
As part of the promotional efforts for the 50th anniversary reissue of Queen I, May reflected on the band’s formative years in a conversation with guitarist. His signature sound, characterized by the combination of his Red Special guitar, a Vox AC30 amplifier, and a Dallas Rangemaster Treble Booster pedal, has been integral to Queen’s musical identity from their debut album to their final release, Made in Heaven, in 1995.
Had it not been for that fateful encounter with Gallagher at London’s Marquee Club, May’s sonic landscape might have looked quite different. He reminisced about lingering at the venue after Gallagher’s band,Taste,had finished their performance.
“I managed to stay behind at the Marquee when everyone had left,” May recalled. “I approached Rory and asked, ‘How do you achieve that incredible sound?’ He replied, ‘It’s simple, I use the AC30 and this little box, and I just turn it up, and it sings for me.’ The very next day, I went to a guitar shop and found two used AC30s for just £30 each.”
While Gallagher’s advice inspired May, he was careful not to mimic his sound. “I discovered a Treble Booster,” he continued. “I connected it to my guitar, cranked it up, and it resonated deeply with me. That became my signature tone, distinct from Rory’s, which is much brighter.”
May fondly remembers his interaction with Gallagher, which he detailed in the documentary What’s Going On — Taste Live at the Isle of Wight. “We were just kids, hanging around and trying to blend in when the Marquee was closing. We approached him as if we belonged there,” he said. “He was incredibly kind, packing up his gear and taking the time to talk to us rather of shooing us away.”
The influence of Gallagher on may’s musical journey is undeniable. However,May had his own vision for Queen’s sound. “early on, we recognized that performing live was a different experience compared to recording in the studio. It was simpler, with just four of us on stage and no overdubs,” he explained.
“It took me a while to feel comfortable being the sole guitarist on stage.I always thought I needed a rhythm guitarist.Eventually, I developed the technique of playing both lead and rhythm together, and I realized that the audience didn’t miss the absence of a second guitarist.”
“We had enough to create a live experience that felt orchestral,” he added.
Currently,May is on the mend after suffering a stroke last summer,which has limited his public appearances. Nevertheless, during his reflective conversation with Guitarist, he recounted a brief experiment with Marshall amplifiers later in his career, which resulted in a tonal mishap he described as “sounding like an angry wasp.” he also mentioned how Jimi Hendrix’s influence solidified his preference for Vox amplifiers.
