(Credit: Far Out / Denis Pellerin)
Sat 20 December 2025 18:00, UK
On July 19th, 2025, Queen guitarist Brian May turned 78 years old, and he’s done a lot in those years, including playing with some truly exceptional musicians.
With so much experience within the world of music, the first thing that May knows about is the guitar; his knowledge of the six-string is second to none, such that no matter what kind of emotion you are looking to tap into, you can guarantee that May would have explored it on a section of the fretboard. He appreciates the way you can explore different feelings on the guitar, and has previously cited Jeff Beck as an inspiration for as much.
“If you wanna hear his depth of emotion, sound and phrasing, and the way he could touch your soul, listen to ‘Where Were You’ off the [Jeff Beck’s] Guitar Shop album… sit down and listen to it for four minutes,” said May, “It’s unbelievable; it’s possibly the most beautiful bit of guitar music ever recorded, alongside Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Little Wing’. So sensitive, so beautiful, so incredibly creative and unlike anything you’ve ever heard anywhere else.”
Of course, when you listen to Queen, May’s influence doesn’t just start and stop at what he does on the guitar, as he is able to also take a step back and appreciate the song as a whole, rather than just focusing on his instrument alone. This is what great songwriters can do, as there’s a lack of selfishness there, given that you need a knowledge of everything that makes up a band rather than just your specific contribution.
As such, while he seems like an authority on guitarists, and you would think he mainly has influences within that scope of music, his reach extends much further than that. When it comes to music, he understands what makes a great singer, bass player, and drummer, and how they can all come together to perfect rhythm as a whole, which was evident when he was asked to name his five favourite drummers of all time and his choices were deeply informed.
All of the names on his list are respected authorities in the world of music, beginning, naturally, with Roger Taylor, as Queen likely wouldn’t have been able to make a name for themselves without him on the ones and twos. Taylor always had an incredibly solid relationship with his drum kit, which allowed him to keep whatever band he was playing in, driving their sound to the fullest extent.
His attitude towards music was pretty similar to May’s; he didn’t think about the drumming first, but rather took the time to consider how all elements fit into the song. It’s pretty clear why Queen went on to make such great-sounding and innovative music together, as they all shared a headspace when it came to exploring their creativity.
“As drummers, we drive the band, and I think the most important thing we can all do is play for the song,” said Taylor, “It’s not about showing off on your instrument. It’s about being aware of the whole song, not just the drum part.”
Another drummer whom May had previously worked with and who made it into his top five was Alan Gratzer from REO Speedwagon, where the two teamed up in the ‘80s as Gratzer helped provide rhythm for May’s record Star Fleet Project. “You get the chance to play with the best people in the whole world. I’ve played with a lot of the greatest drummers in this world,” said May, before confirming, “Alan is one of them”, and continued to provide his other four, “Cosy Powell is another, Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl and Roger Taylor, not shabby either.”
Brain May’s five favourite drummers: Roger TaylorAlan Gratzer Cosy Powell Taylor Hawkins Dave Grohl
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