Brian May Recalls the Moment Jimi Hendrix Redefined Guitar Playing for Him
Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, has often spoken about the musicians who shaped his playing style and inspired his artistry. Among them, one figure stands out as an almost otherworldly force—Jimi Hendrix. In a recent recollection, May looked back on the first time he saw Hendrix perform live in 1967, and how that single experience completely shifted his perception of what a guitar could do.
May explained that his first exposure to Hendrix was through the single Hey Joe. At the time, he was mesmerized by the song’s groundbreaking guitar tones. The effects seemed so unusual and otherworldly that he initially assumed such sounds must have been conjured in the recording studio with clever production tricks. To a young guitarist in the 1960s, it was hard to imagine anyone producing those tones live on stage with such precision and flair.
That changed when May attended a Hendrix concert. Watching him perform in person dissolved all doubts—this was no studio illusion. Hendrix was, in May’s words, a complete “technical wizard,” with a command of his instrument that defied the imagination. The Queen guitarist recalled how Hendrix would conjure sounds and expressions from his guitar that nobody had even thought possible before. His approach wasn’t merely about skill; it was about creating a voice for the guitar that was deeply personal, raw, and unlike anything else in the music world.
May noted that Hendrix’s style was both innovative and deeply individualistic—far more than just a showcase of speed or technique. It was about bending musical boundaries and redefining what a guitar could say. This unique artistry was so compelling that even titans of rock, such as The Who—one of the biggest acts at the time—were reluctant to follow Hendrix on stage. His presence was so electric, his performances so commanding, that he would inevitably steal the show.
Reflecting on that era, May described Hendrix simply as “it”: the pinnacle of guitar innovation and performance. Seeing him live in 1967 was, for May, akin to witnessing the very language of rock and roll being rewritten before his eyes. It was a seismic moment in his musical journey—one that would shape not only his admiration for Hendrix but also influence the way May approached his own guitar work in Queen’s celebrated discography.
Over half a century later, Brian May still speaks with awe about that night. For him, Hendrix wasn’t just a guitarist—he was a revelation, someone whose playing contained both technical brilliance and an unmatched soulfulness that continues to inspire generations of musicians.
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