Queen legend Brian May played a guitar solo during a visit to John Moores University
LEGENDARY guitarist Brian May was in Liverpool yesterday and picked up his famous Red Special guitar for an impromptu performance.
May, the chancellor of John Moores University, wowed students with his strumming techniques as he officially opened a new media centre at the Byrom Street campus.
Best known as the lead guitarist of rock group Queen, May signed the guitar and amp before having a go himself.
It was at the age of 17 that he first crafted the now famous guitar with his father.
Made using hand tools, it took two years to finish and became May’s main instrument throughout 30 years of live concerts and featured on all the Queen albums.
Handing over the signature guitar, the physicist and astronomer said he was happy with the guitar and it played well.
After touring the School of Engineering’s media suites and recording studios, May took time to answer questions from students from the BA Media, Cultural Studies and Pop Music Degree.
He also gave an insight into how he learnt to play and how music had evolved over the years.
He said: “In my school, pop music was a dirty word, in rebellion we had to go and play our guitars behind the cycle sheds.
