Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, fondly recalls the moment he first crossed paths with Rory Gallagher back in 1969 and how it changed the way he approached his craft. This pivotal meeting took place at The Marquee, one of London’s iconic venues, where Gallagher was performing with his band, Taste.
May remembers being mesmerized as he watched Gallagher perform, particularly captivated by the distinct sound he produced from his guitar. "[The AC30 and Dallas Rangemaster treble booster] was there from the moment I saw Rory Gallagher," May shared with Guitarist. The meeting had long-lasting effects on May’s sound and gear preferences. After Gallagher’s set, May, brimming with enthusiasm, took the chance to ask him, "Rory, how do you get this sound?" This question would turn out to be more than just casual conversation.
Gallagher’s response was both simple and enlightening: “Well, it’s easy, I have the AC30 and this little box, and I turn it up and it sings for me.” This straightforward advice led May to act quickly. "The next day, I went to a guitar shop and found two secondhand AC30s for £30 each," he recounted. This impulsive purchase would set off the beginning of his distinctive sound, one he was eager to explore.
But May’s early experimentation didn’t stop with just the AC30; he also sought the perfect treble booster. "I found a treble booster. I plugged it in with my guitar, turned all the way up and it just melted my stomach. That’s my sound. And it’s different from Rory’s. His is much more bright," he explained. These initial steps led May on the path to crafting his own signature guitar tone, blending Gallagher's influence with his unique style.
Reflecting on their interactions, May found Gallagher’s nature as equally remarkable as his musical skill. "He was incredibly patient. He was packing up his own gear... and he had the grace to speak to us. He didn’t go, ‘Get out of here!’" May remembered fondly. This moment resonates not just as a technical learning experience, but as one of genuine camaraderie and inspiration at the hands of one of rock's greatest guitarists.
During this transformative period, May was also experimenting with various other guitar models. He recalled trying out Fender Strats and Gibson Les Pauls, but also shared humorous stories about his initial foray with Marshalls. “I plugged it to a Marshall stack... it sounded so awful. I could hardly play,” he noted, laughing about the chaotic experience. The stark sound of the Marshall was one he would never forget as it reinforced his affinity for the AC30. "It sounded like an angry wasp. It didn’t have any depth or articulation, I couldn’t play chords. It was a really hard experience for me,” he joked, highlighting the contrasts between his challenges and Gallagher’s seamless performance.
May's encounter with Gallagher not only influenced his sound but also shaped the principles he would carry throughout his career. The exchange exemplified how learning from peers—especially from those as skilled as Gallagher—can yield transformative results for young musicians. The moment served as more than just guitar instruction; it was network-building with respect and kindness at its core.
Fast forward to present day, and May can undoubtedly credit his success to those early days of asking questions and soaking up knowledge wherever he could. The values of humility and continued learning are evident today as May reflects on his past and recognizes Gallagher's extraordinary impact on his evolution as both a guitarist and as part of the band Queen. Gallagher’s legacy lives on not just through the music he created but through the many artists—like May—who revered him and continue to draw inspiration from his brilliance.
With the recent reissue of the Queen I box set, fans are reminded of the innovative sound May and Queen brought to the music world—a sound partly born out of the lessons he learned from the great Rory Gallagher all those years ago. May’s recollections of this fateful meeting underline the importance of mentorship and inspiration within the fabric of music history, connecting generations of artists.