Queen's Brian May praises Pete Townshend and claims he 'basically invented' rock guitar
He's a big fan of The Who axeman
Queen axeman Brian May has taken to Instagram to lavish The Who’s Pete Townshend with praise.
Sir Brian posted a screenshot of an old interview quote in which he describes Townshend as a “guitar god” and “the master of mood change, a master of the suspended chord.”
Thanking the fan who posted the quote, Brian May doubled down on his praise for Townshend, and he also described how The Who rocker influenced his own guitar sound.
“I'm glad I said this - I probably don't say it enough,” May said of his words. “I can't imagine Rock Guitar without Pete Townshend. Looking back, it seems to me he basically invented it!
“I was lucky enough to be there watching. My playing owes so much to him. I'm not talking about the blues-influenced playing which also underpinned the evolution of 70s and 80s rock music - Townshend brought to the scene a blistering clang of super-amplified but not over-saturated chords - razor-edged monoliths crashing angrily through our brains, biting rhythmic hammer blows which would change the likes of me forever.
“If you want to feel what I'm talking about - put on "My Generation" at full volume on your home system - and gasp in wonder !!! Keith Moon drumming insanely, John Entwistle thundering a massive bass with the sonic breadth of a full orchestra - and an aggressive young Shepherds Bush rebel Roger Daltrey - a punk icon long before the invention of 'Punk Rock'. Completely Awesome.
“Listen to those suspended chords in "I'm a Boy" - how did Townshend invent that ? Listen to "Substitute" for a tour de force of gigantic rhythm playing and a lyric ten times as deep as anything out there. Finally listen to the Who's first chart smash - "Can't Explain" - along with their version of the classic "Summertime Blues" it transformed Rock and Roll into ROCK!!!”
Music News: Queen's Brian May responds to being named the greatest guitarist of all time
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