RSSCategory: Brian May/Queen

Rory Gallagher’s Gear (Some) And…

Rory Gallagher’s Gear (Some) And…

…The Brian May and Joe Bonamassa Connections Rory Gallagher was Irish. ‘Nuff said. Seriously, Rory was a bad motherFer on the geetar, no doubt. I wish I was more familiar with him and his stuff, but here’s a cursory overview of his gear and tunes for others like me. Rory fans chime in with any […]

October 25, 2011 | By | 4 Replies More
Are Lessons A Waste of Friggin’ Time?

Are Lessons A Waste of Friggin’ Time?

Are music lessons/instruction vastly overrated? I’m thinking they are. I’ve read over the years how people “should” read music, know all the notes on the fretboard by name and all that stuff, but really? Does that really help you become a better musician with your own style? Or does it hurt…. I got thinking about […]

March 17, 2010 | By | 10 Replies More
Brian May’s ‘It’s Late’ Solo: Tapping in 1977

Brian May’s ‘It’s Late’ Solo: Tapping in 1977

I tripped over this great video of Brian May playing his solo in “It’s Late.” It’s really amazing how Edward Van Halen-esque it is, and it’s interesting that Brian didn’t pursue the right-hand hammer-on technique and didn’t see the possibilities in it that Ed did. From watching the vid, seems like Brian feels that way […]

August 21, 2009 | By | 1 Reply More
1973 Interview: Brian May Talks AC30s, Effects

1973 Interview: Brian May Talks AC30s, Effects

Following is from a 1973 interview of Brian May that was in “a guitar magazine” (unnamed) shortly after Queen’s self-titled first album came out: Thanks to BrianMayWorld.com for preserving it. In the first part of the interview he talks about his Red Special guitar, but then he talks about his AC30s and effects. Here are […]

August 19, 2009 | By | Reply More
More Confirmation: Gibbons First Famous Guy To ‘Tap’

More Confirmation: Gibbons First Famous Guy To ‘Tap’

If you’re a regular, or semi-regular, reader of WoodyTone.com, you will have seen the post (here) that postulates that Edward Van Halen may have learned “tapping” (right-handed hammer-ons) from Brian May, who said he learned it from someone who saw Billy Gibbons do it. However, Eddie has said he got it from watching Jimmy Page […]

July 9, 2009 | By | 2 Replies More
Brian May Loves Chickenfoot


Brian May Loves Chickenfoot


The following is from an entry on Brian May’s blog, edited for brevity: “For those who like to ROCK – in a classic grassroots, frig-off, out-and-out real way – this is the new album you have to get. “Chickenfoot are a new California ‘super group’ of wondrous musicians having a ball together and playing REAL […]

July 1, 2009 | By | Reply More
A Gibbons-May-Van Halen Thang?

A Gibbons-May-Van Halen Thang?

Did Edward Van Halen learn tapping from Brian May who learned it from Billy Gibbons? In a recent (and very good) Guitar Player interview of Brian May, conducted by GP associate editor Matt Blackett, the topic of two-handed tapping (aka, right-hand hammer-ons) came up. Rather than paraphrase the whole exchange, I’ll quote it below – […]

January 12, 2009 | By | 3 Replies More
New Queen + Paul Rodgers

New Queen + Paul Rodgers

Well, I don’t love “The Cosmos Rocks.” I wanted to be hit over the head by Brian May’s royal chords and sweet lines (WoodyTone being a given), interesting song structures and chord patterns, and Paul Rodgers’ soulful vocals over the whole amazing thing. But except in a couple of cases, I didn’t get what I […]

November 21, 2008 | By | Reply More