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As a member of Queen for over 50 years, Sir Brian May is considered one of the greatest rock guitarists in history.
Yet even the 76-year-old has his heroes and it turns out one of them is The Who’s Pete Townshend, who he gushed over in a new post on social media.
Sir Brian reposted an old quote of his shared by a fan, before adding further comment: “We [Queen] wanted to take people off into the stratosphere. It’s always been that way with us. We were inspired by our heroes to do that, and I put The Who way up top of that list.
“Pete Townshend is the master of mood change, a master of suspended chord. I owe so much to him… That was the whole kind of principle of the early electric guitar. So that you could amplify it on the stage and it wouldn’t feed back. So I’d seen feedback. I’d seen Pete Townshend again, wow!
“Pete Townshend’s a god of guitar and always will be! I’d seen him stand there and let the guitar explode into life on its own.”
Sir Brian captioned the Instagram post: “Thanks Tracy for posting this. I’m glad I said this – I probably don’t say it enough. 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 !!!”
Sir Brian added: “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 Daltry – 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 !!! Good Morning folks !! You have your assignment for the day ! 🙂 Bri.”