Brian May Says Pete Townshend “Basically Invented Rock Guitar” – Do You Agree?
Brian May live in 2019 - AdamMethos / Youtube
In the world of rock and roll, some guitarists leave an undeniable mark. One such legend is Pete Townshend, the iconic guitarist behind The Who.
Queen’s Brian May, another titan of the six-string, recently surprised fans with his high praise for Townshend. May went beyond mere admiration, declaring that Townshend “basically invented” rock guitar.
This audacious statement has sparked debate. Was Townshend truly the architect of the sound that would define a generation? Did he truly revolutionize the instrument and define the sound of rock guitar as we know it?
Brian May Was A Townshend Disciple
Though Brian May wouldn’t achieve superstardom with Queen until a decade after The Who’s rise to fame, he was a young music fan during their formative years. Witnessing Townshend’s early performances undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping May’s own musical interests.
May, like many aspiring musicians, absorbed the influences of his time, weaving them into his own unique style. His admiration for Townshend is well documented. He’s spoken about it publicly on numerous occasions.
Recently, taking to Instagram, the Queen guitarist acknowledged he might not express his reverence enough. He stated, “I probably don’t say it enough,” highlighting the profound impact Townshend has had on him.
“I Can’t Imagine Rock Guitar Without Pete Townshend”
May recently expressed his deep admiration for Townshend. This outpouring of praise was sparked by a fan who shared a previous quote where May called Townshend a “god of guitar.” May, clearly moved by the reminder, elaborated on his hero worship.
“I can’t imagine Rock Guitar without Pete Townshend,” May declared. He went on to credit Townshend as a revolutionary figure, stating, “Looking back, it seems to me he basically invented it!”
This bold statement highlights the immense influence Townshend had on May’s own guitar playing. May further emphasized his point by witnessing Townshend’s groundbreaking work firsthand: “I was lucky enough to be there watching.”
May Breaks Down Townshend’s Genius
May didn’t just offer general praise for Townshend; he dived into the specifics that make Townshend a legend. “If you want to feel what I’m talking about,” May urged his followers, “put on ‘My Generation’ at full volume on your home system – and gasp in wonder!!!”
Here, May paints a vivid picture of The Who’s raw power: Keith Moon’s “insane” drumming, John Entwistle’s bass “thundering” with orchestral depth, and Roger Daltry’s “aggressive” vocals – a “punk icon long before the invention of ‘Punk Rock’.” For May, this is “Completely Awesome.”
May’s praise extended beyond “My Generation”. He listed other tracks – “I’m A Boy”, “Can’t Explain”, “Summertime Blues”, and “Substitute” – showcasing Townshend’s brilliance as a “tour de force of gigantic rhythm playing.” May even issued a call to action, turning his fans into students, telling them to “Listen to these songs”, their “assignment for the day” that “transformed Rock and Roll into Rock!!!”
“The Beatles Never Paid Anyone That Well”
Brian May’s admiration for Pete Townshend goes back to his teenage years. In a BBC Radio 2 interview, May reminisced about seeing The Who live in Shepherds Bush with Queen drummer Roger Taylor.
He described the experience as transformative: “When they did turn up it was mayhem let loose. It was just so loud, dangerous and anarchic, I guess.” May even credits The Who as a forerunner to punk rock, stating, “This was long before punk. So I think The Who kind of wrote the recipe for punk, if you like.”
While Brian champions The Who’s legacy, Pete himself recently squashed rumors of a farewell tour. During an appearance on the Sound Up! podcast, Townshend downplayed previous comments he made about a potential goodbye tour. He clarified, “I’m not doing a farewell tour. I think I was being sarcastic about it.” This statement puts a pause on any speculation about The Who hanging up their instruments for good.
Read Brian’s full Instagram post below:
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