Brian May Reveals the Secret Guitar Trick He Learned from Rory Gallagher That Defined His Career

For many fans of Queen, Brian May’s unique guitar sound is instantly recognizable. From the iconic riff of We Will Rock You to the haunting solo of Bohemian Rhapsody, May’s guitar work has resonated with generations of listeners. Yet, despite his immense contributions to rock music, May often feels that his guitar skills have been somewhat overlooked compared to other legends of the instrument. However, in a recent reflective interview, the Queen guitarist revealed a key influence that shaped his sound—an influence that might surprise many: the legendary Rory Gallagher.

In his conversation with Far Out while discussing his solo album Back to the Light, May delved deep into the story behind his sound and shared an unexpected and intimate connection with the late Irish guitarist. “He’s in my life always,” May says with fondness, emphasizing Gallagher’s lasting impact on his musical journey. The guitarist recalls first encountering Gallagher in his band Taste, performing at The Marquee in London. May, still a young musician at the time, was captivated by Gallagher’s raw, emotional performance and the distinct sound he created with his guitar.

“Everything about Rory was just incredible,” May recalls. “The sound that he made, the contact that he made with the audience—it was all electric. And I wanted to know how he did it.”

It wasn’t just about the music for May—Rory Gallagher’s influence extended to his humanity as well. But it was Gallagher’s technical knowledge that would forever shape May’s guitar tone. In an intimate story, May shared how he and his friends once snuck backstage after a show, hoping to catch Gallagher as he packed up his gear. What started as a fan encounter turned into a moment that would forever alter the course of May’s career.

“Rory was packing up his own gear at the time, and I went up to him and said, ‘Mr. Gallagher, how do you get your sound?’” May recalls. Gallagher, always approachable, responded with his signature warmth, saying, “Yeah, course you can.”

The conversation that followed would become a turning point for May. Gallagher shared a simple yet profound secret to his sound: “I have this AC30 amplifier, it’s very different to other amplifiers,” Gallagher explained. The AC30, a classic Vox amp known for its distinctive tone, was key to the sound that May was chasing. But there was more to it.

Gallagher introduced May to a piece of gear that would become crucial to his own signature tone: the Rangemaster treble booster. “It kicks up the signal and makes the amp sing. It makes it sustain,” Gallagher explained. It was this little “box” that turned May’s setup into the sonic machine that would eventually produce the sound we all recognize as Brian May’s.

The next day, May took Gallagher’s advice to heart. “I went down Wardour Street and bought myself two AC30s for £30 each, which was a lot of money for me in those days!” May remembers. He also tracked down a Rangemaster treble booster, connected it to the guitar he had made with his father, and the sound was born. “That was the sound! Really, that hasn’t changed in the forty, fifty years that I have been playing, and that became my voice!”

For May, this was the birth of his musical identity. The combination of the AC30 amps and Rangemaster treble booster allowed him to carve out a distinct tone that would become a cornerstone of Queen’s sound.

But May’s admiration for Gallagher wasn’t solely rooted in technical knowledge. It was also about the kind of person Gallagher was. In the same interview, May spoke lovingly of Gallagher’s humility and kindness, describing him as a “gentleman” who always had time for his fans. Even as a young musician, May was struck by how Gallagher treated him with respect, taking the time to answer his questions and engage with him.

“He just had an endless amount of time, and I got to know him after that,” May recalls. “I count that as a great privilege. He was completely modest, decent, and a true gentleman. What a lovely guy!”

Gallagher’s impact on May’s life was not just musical, but deeply personal. In one touching moment, May recalls telling Gallagher, “You treat me just the same as when you first met me.” To which Gallagher responded, “You treat everybody the way you feel.” That spirit of kindness and generosity is something that May continues to carry with him.

For fans of Brian May, it’s fascinating to learn that one of the most iconic guitarists of all time owes much of his sound to the influence of a lesser-known hero—Rory Gallagher. While Gallagher may not have received the same level of recognition as some of his contemporaries, his influence on May’s work is undeniable, from the technical tips to the life lessons.

Brian May’s reflections on Rory Gallagher remind us that sometimes, the greatest influences come from unexpected places. While May’s signature sound is the product of decades of creativity and innovation, it was Rory Gallagher who set him on that path, providing the technical tools and the inspiration that would help define one of rock music’s most distinctive voices.