Brian May says guitarists overlook one of George Harrison's greatest strengths: “He's so underrated”
Brian May believes George Harrison deserves more recognition for his contributions to the electric guitar’s legacy. In his view, guitarists who dazzle with speed and fireworks have overshadowed the quieter virtues of the instrument — qualities Harrison possessed in abundance.
May knows a thing or two about making an electric guitar speak. He was crowned the world’s greatest guitarist in Total Guitar’s 2020 rankings, narrowly beating Jimi Hendrix to the top spot.
His work with his fabled Red Special is testament to his own formidable talent, though May’s playing often falls on the flashier end of the spectrum. Consider his solo on “Don’t Stop Me Now,” which he fought to include after Freddie Mercury argued that the song was better suited to piano. Yet, speaking to the Express in 2022, May explained why Harrison’s less showy approach deserves equal respect.
George Harrison plays his 1963 Rickenbacker 360/12 guitar on stage during rehearsals for the TV show 'Thank Your Lucky Stars' Summer Spin at Teddington Studios in London on 11th July 1964.
“At every stage in their career and their music development, they were models,” he said of the Beatles more broadly (via Far Out). “And they still are to me, I must say.
“They are the pinnacle of writing, performance and ethos of rock music,” May added. “They broke down so many barriers, they changed the world many times. I will always love The Beatles without any reservation.”
But membership in one of the most successful and influential bands in history doesn’t guarantee individual recognition. Harrison’s legacy has often been overshadowed by those around him. Within the Beatles, he struggled to make room for his songs alongside the dominant Lennon-McCartney partnership.
Source: guitarplayer.com/Phil Weller
