Tony Iommi:
Check out Tony on the UK’s BBC Radio 4 show ‘Loose Ends’ this Saturday 6:15pm UK time and on the BBC iPlayer.
Then on Friday 24th he’s the subject of Sky Arts ‘Greatest Guitar Riffs’ documentary. The programme is based around Tony in his studio with Brian May, discussing what makes a good riff and playing some together.
There are contributions from many other guitarists including Tom Morello and Kim Thayil.
Brian May and Roger Taylor!!!!
👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️❤️
Sam Ryder has just performed at Wembley Stadium with Foo Fighters and Queen at the #taylorhawkinstribute
It has been less than four months since Sam came second at Eurovision and what a year he’s having 👑 pic.twitter.com/jeVex98wvG
— Daniel Rosney (@DanielRosney) September 3, 2022
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Under Pressure. Damn this always leaves a lump in my throat.
Knowing that Taylor used to sing this at Foos gigs makes it all the more poignant#taylorhawkinstribute pic.twitter.com/naFoIqIrPV— Benjamin Wright (@benwrightjourno) September 3, 2022
love of our lives. #taylorhawkinstribute #taylorhawkinsconcert #TaylorHawkins #FooFighters #Queen pic.twitter.com/1LSXiNpj6b
— vee ★ watching taylor tribute concert (@DlLFOGRAPHY) September 3, 2022
QUEEN and Foo Fighters with Justin Hawkins playing Under Pressure at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert #TaylorHawkins #taylorhawkinsconcert pic.twitter.com/I0kHW5g8hl
— Giuseppe Mercadante (@itsmercadante) September 3, 2022
QUEEN and Foo Fighters play We Will Rock You at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert #taylorhawkinstribute #TaylorHawkins #taylorhawkinsconcert pic.twitter.com/0v4P61uqU7
— Giuseppe Mercadante (@itsmercadante) September 3, 2022
It’s Sam fucking Ryder!! #taylorhawkinstributeconcert #queen #foofighters pic.twitter.com/YxdxnFFEUz
— Gillian M Lennox (@drgmlennox) September 3, 2022
Why yes. That is Sam Ryder. And Queen. And the Foo Fighters. #taylorhawkinstribute pic.twitter.com/AuRhLakijG
— Prof Pete Etchells (@PeteEtchells) September 3, 2022
Proof that musicians may only choose between two names: Taylor Hawkins (of Foo Fighters) fav. band was Queen. Queen’s drummer, Roger Taylor’s son, Rufus Taylor, drummed for The Darkness, whose frontman Justin Hawkins played tonight with the Foo Fighters to honor Taylor Hawkins.
— Assaf Muller (@assafmuller) September 3, 2022
Justin Hawkins zusammen mit Queen beim #taylorhawkinstribute pic.twitter.com/khEpaNxA2p
— RockPlanet (@3rdRockPlanet) September 3, 2022
brian may and the crowd at wembley stadium singing love of my life to taylor hawkins is so special. 🤍#taylorhawkins #taylorhawkinstribute pic.twitter.com/mzsxUgRbmn
— hannah (@hannnahhv) September 3, 2022
Ritchie Blackmore:
Queen, I first heard them doing, it was a song about a train. This is about 1974-75. I can’t remember the title, but I was very impressed with the guitar playing and, of course, the singing. I noticed that Freddie Mercury had a cross between Ronnie Dio’s voice and almost like an operatic voice. To me, he was a true star. He knew exactly how to milk an audience. What a musician.
Some of the stuff they put down, all those four-part harmonies, very, very clever stuff. Of course, there’s Brian (May), who’s probably one of the nicest guys in the business and a brilliant guitar player to boot. I worked with Brian on other stuff, and he’s such a nice man. He’s a bit too tall, but he can’t help that. Wonderful band. Excellent band.
I was very surprised they did so well in America. America, I’ve noticed, like the basic chord stuff. They like the blues stuff, the three-chord stuff, which would be like a Stevie Ray Vaughan. With Queen, you have probably twenty-five chords and a lot of changes. I’ve noticed the American market doesn’t usually go for that. I’m surprised they made it so bit over here. For me, that was nice to see.
From a 2020 Guitar World interview with Brian May:
Brian May:
Another great hero of mine. He’s crazy. I mean, yeah, it was extraordinary watching him. I think he’s one of the most dangerous guitar players ever. And I mean that is in the best possible way. Beautiful! He was there way ahead of any of us.”
Brian May: Brand new video for ON MY WAY UP is live.! See you very soon !!! Thanks for your wonderful support for my LAUNCH DAY !!!
Another World is Brian May’s second full solo album, originally released in 1998 it follows the reissue of his 1992 album Back To The Light in the latest of his ‘Gold Series’ releases.
While Brian undertook a great deal of the instrumental work himself, his efforts were complemented by a host of talented musicians, including Taylor Hawkins, Cozy Powell, and Steve Ferrone on drums; Neil Murray and Ken Taylor on bass; Spike Edney on keyboards; and Jamie Moses on guitar. The album also features a special turn by Status Quo bandmembers John Edwards (bass), Jeff Rich (drums), and Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt (guitar) on “F.B.I. (Original Ruff Mix With Real Bass And Drums)”.
This sought-after record has long been unavailable in any format. Its timely re-issue in a variety of formats has been supervised by Brian himself, along with co-producer Justin Shirley-Smith, Kris Fredriksson, long-time Queen art designer Richard Gray, and Grammy Award winner Bob Ludwig, who has newly mastered the entire collection.
Gary Holt: First time plugging the new Brian May BMG super in! Gotta learn my way around these switches! But it fucking SINGS. Sooo clean yet so much sustain! Love it! More exploring to come on this bad boy!
Brian May: Very proud to announce …. It’s here !!! I never thought our first edition Red Special watch could be bettered —- but my dear friends at SEIKO have done it !!! This new gold version is so beautiful I could almost eat it ! Visit the SEIKO website to order. Again it’s limited edition, so don’t delay ! SWIPE to see it in close-up in its full glory !!!
Brian May x Seiko Sports 5 – Limited Edition
More details HERE
Introducing a second collaboration model between Seiko 5 Sport and Brian May. Brian’s favorite guitar, the “Red Special,” inspires this gold-colored design in the special series.
For more than 40 years, Brian has worn a Seiko diver’s watch whose enduringly popular design is the inspiration for the latest Seiko 5 Sports collection. Brian bought his Seiko watch while first on tour in Japan in the 1970s. Since then, his guitar and watch have traveled the globe together – making great music and keeping great time.
As with the first collaboration model, the dial recreates the fine details of the legendary guitar with a pressed pattern reminiscent of the texture of the wood, its glossy finish, and gradated coloring. This case is a special gold-color version, requested by Brian himself, inspired by the newly released ‘Gold Series’ reissues of his solo albums.
* Special box-like guitar case with collectors gold sixpence.
* Limited Edition of only 12,500 worldwide.
* Automatic with manual winding capacity
Proceeds from the sale of the watch will be donated The Mercury Phoenix Trust founded by Brian May, Roger Taylor, and their manager Jim Beach in memory of rock band Queen’s iconic lead singer Freddie Mercury.
The watch goes on worldwide sale on March 1st. March FIRST. (Note change of date). QueenOnline’s store will be selling a very limited amount from that date.
THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION OF THE GREATEST GUITARISTS EVER ASSEMBLED IN ONE PLACE IS OUT NOW. CARMINE APPICE AND DEKO ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF GUITAR ZEUS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE BOX SET COLLECTION.
Visit the Carmine Appice store @ this location.
The Guitar Zeus 25th Anniversary Box Set is a massive collection of 4 LPs, 3 CDs, and a full-color booklet with never-before-seen photos and interviews conducted by Martin Popoff. 35 tracks in all featuring Slash, Brian May, Ted Nugent, Yngwie Malmsteen, Neal Schon, Richie Sambora, Zakk Wylde and many, many more. With 2 never-released tracks featuring Tommy Thayer of KISS and the first non-guitar solo driven track with keyboardist Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater). This is the ultimate collection for any guitar enthusiast, there is nowhere else you can find this many guitar greats on one release!
“Not only do I urge everyone to go out and get yourself a copy of the 25th anniversary of Carmine Appice’s Guitar Zeus album and when you do, I also urge you to do your homework and do some research on the history of Guitar Zeus….all 35 tracks on this release are really something special, you don’t want to skip through a single track because then you’ll really be missing out.
KNAC 5.0 out 5.0
“What really makes the record come alive is the massive lineup of guest guitarists that join Appice on it. Each of these players really fit the moniker of “Guitar Zeus” in their own way, making this lineup of guests a genius assortment. The tracks hit the listener like a bolt of Zeus’s lightning, with distinct grooves that only Appice and each of his guests could deliver.”
MusicPlayers.com
Carmine Appice: “I consider Guitar Zeus one of the best projects, if not the BEST project I’ve done both as far as songs, with some of the best production and playing of my career. I love the new tunes. I hope you enjoy this 25th-year celebration of some of the greatest rock guitarists ever put together. KEEP ROCKIN”.
Carmine has just released a brand new lyric video for the track “Mystified” featuring Tommy Thayer of KISS.
Deko Entertainment has teamed up with Goldmine Magazine to create a one-of-a-kind Guitar Zeus 25th Anniversary Limited Edition bundle that includes not only the Box Set but a special Guitar Zeus necklace, Autographed picture from Carmine, and a pair of his signature drum sticks. This is limited to only 100 so head over to the Goldmine Magazine store and check it out.
As drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Carmine Appice set the grooves for the groundbreaking band‘s 1967 psychedelic debut. Post-Fudge, Bogert, and Appice formed Cactus (seen as an influence on King‘s X and Van Halen). Post-Cactus, the rhythm section found Grammy-winning Guitar Hero Jeff Beck to form the first supergroup: Beck, Bogert & Appice (BBA). One of the premier showmen in rock, Appice became known worldwide for his astonishing live performances, in addition to becoming a highly sought-after session drummer, recording with countless artists throughout his career. In ‘76, he joined the Rod Stewart Band, touring, recording, and writing two of Stewart‘s biggest hits, “Do Ya Think I‘m Sexy” and “Young Turks”. He would go on to form King Kobra, tour with Ozzy Osbourne, and Blue Murder with John Sykes (Whitesnake) and Tony Franklin (The Firm).
Box Set Includes:
4LPs (includes new tracks featuring Tommy Thayer (KISS) and Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater)
3CDs (includes bonus guitar play along)
8-Page Color Booklet written by Martin Popoff (with new interviews and never before seen photos)
Tracklisting:
“Mothers Space” (feat. Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal)
“Gonna Rain” (feat. Richie Sambora)
*”Mystify” (feat. Derek Sherinian)
“Nobody Knew” (feat. Brian May)
“Where You Belong” (feat. Slash)
“Out of Mind” (feat. Neal Schon)
“This Time Around” (feat. Yngwie Malmsteen & Dug Pinnick)
“Nothing” (feat. John Norum)
“Doin’ Fine” (feat Vivian Campbell)
“Under The Moon and Sun” (feat. Mick Mars / Edgar Winter)
“Code 19” (feat. Zakk Wylde)
“Angels” (feat. Char)
“Guitar Zeus, Pt. 1” (feat Jennifer Batten)
“Days Are Nights” (feat. Ted Nugent)
“Do Ya think I’m Sexy” (Sung by Carmine, feat. Pat Travers)
“Safe” (feat. Neal Schon)
“Dead Wrong” (feat. Dweezil Zappa)
“Trippin’ Again” (feat. Ty Tabor)
“Even Up The Score” (feat. Ted Nugent)
“Dislocated” (feat. Paul Gilbert)
“Stash” (feat. Stevie Salas / John McEnroe)
“Perfect Day” (feat. Warren DeMartini)
“Killing Time” (feat. Ty Tabor)
“So Long” (feat. Doug Aldrich)
“My Own Advice” (feat Kenji Kitajima)
“Guitar Zeus”, Pt. 2″ (feat. Leslie West / Jennifer Batten)
*”Mystify” (feat. Tommy Thayer)
“Time To Set Alarms” (feat Elliot Easton / Bob Daisley)
“Where You Belong” (feat Paul Gilbert)
“Cruzin” (feat. Denny Laine)
“Couldn’t Be Better” (Feat. RaiZi)
“Snake” (feat. Bruce Kulick)
“4 Miles High” (feat. Steve Morse)
*”Surrender” (feat. Chris Biggiani)
“GZ Blues” (feat. Seymour Duncan / Steven Seagal)
**”This Time Around” (music rough track – guitar play along)
**”Days Are Nights” (music rough track – guitar play along)
**”Where You Belong” (music rough track l – guitar play along)
**”Guitar Zeus” (music rough track – guitar play along)
*PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED **CD ONLY
Queen: Watch the Brian May video of his classic single ‘DRIVEN BY YOU’ ahead of the remastered Back To The Light album!
Available to watch, download & stream here:⏯
Brian May announces re-release and new music video of his classic single ‘DRIVEN BY YOU’ ahead of remastered Back To The Light album. “The song Freddie Mercury generously gave his blessing to be my solo track.” Released on June 25, 2021. Brian May’s first solo hit, and the unforgettable TV ad it was made for, came from the most unlikely of origins. ‘Driven By You’ is, without doubt, one of rock’s most rousing and lasting anthems. Originally written for a Ford car television commercial, the solo track was a worldwide hit when it first debuted as a single off May’s 1992 ‘Back To The Light’ album. But the unforgettable song had its beginnings oceans away from the open roads of the UK countryside that were framed in that TV ad.
Originally released in November 1991, ‘Driven By You’ saw success worldwide including reaching No 6 on the UK Singles Chart and No 9 on the US Billboard Album Rock Chart. Re-released to download on June 25 ahead of the forthcoming re-mastered reissue of May’s “Back To The Light” album on August 6, the reissue of the track comes with a scorching new 30th Anniversary video edit. The performance was originally filmed when the Queen legend sang the track live for the first time at the 1991 Guitar Legends concert in Seville, Spain, and during his 1992 South America tour.
Brian May: And another moment of gratitude —- 6 million air plays ? Good grief ! Of a song that never made it to being an “A” side in the UK ! WE WILL ROCK YOU ! Still !!! Big thanks to all of you who made this happen – you know who you are !!! BRI X Photo : Sally Avery-Frost. Oh – and then there is Fat Bottoms … ?❤️?
Carmine Appice: My new GUITAR ZEUS video featuring Dr. Brian May from Queen … also features me and Tony Franklin with lead vocal and lyrics by Kelly Keeling.
Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words out September 5th. The nearest thing to a Freddie Mercury autobiography as it is possible to achieve, A Life, In His Own Words is a meticulously assembled collection of moving, witty, and often irreverent quotes from the man himself.
You can pre-order the eBook version now by clicking here and if you live in the US, UK or Germany you can pre-order the paperback now by clicking here.
I love the fact that I make people happy, in any form. Even if it’s just half an hour of their lives, if I can make them feel lucky or make them feel good, or bring a smile to a sour face, that to me is worthwhile.” Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words, is a book compiled and edited by official Queen archivist Greg Brooks and Queen visuals producer Simon Lupton, is a new expanded edition that contains over 8,000 words of text not present in the original print. The additional material has been drawn from sources not available or known to the authors at the time of compiling the original work, much of it never before published before and sourced from newly discovered interviews given by Mercury for magazine and newspaper articles that were ultimately not used, as well as from rare radio programs or Queen Specials found on precious old cassette recordings and reel-to-reel tapes discovered within the Freddie archive.
The nearest thing to a Freddie Mercury autobiography as it is possible to achieve, “A Life, In His Own Words” is a meticulously assembled collection of moving, witty, and often irreverent quotes from the man himself. Told across 20 chapters and 194 pages, this is Freddie’s life in his own words – delivered in his own inimitable, unpredictable, invariably funny, often poignant, and always entertaining way. “Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words”.
Freddie Mercury ‘A Life, In His Own Words’ will be released on eBook and Paperback on Sept 5th in the following countries:
US, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, India and Australia.
Brian May Guitars: LEGENDARY TONE… ON YOUR DESKTOP! The hotly anticipated AMPLITUBE BRIAN MAY signature software collection from IK Multimedia is available now from the official Brian May Guitars online store.
The AmpliTube Brian May for Mac/PC, iPhone and iPad – available now! Both feature precise models of the exact live and studio gear used by the legendary guitarist from the iconic band Queen – all recreated in collaboration with Brian May himself.
From Brian’s treble booster to his three-amp live setup and carefully curated effects selection, guitarists can enjoy new amp, cab and stompbox models in a convenient package, along with presets covering his celebrated discography. Each model was created with the supervision of Brian May and his long-time technical team, to carefully replicate his rig.
A key element of Brian’s distinct sound comes from his Red Special guitar that, famously, he hand built with his father in the 1960s from spare parts and household materials. Because the guitar is such an integral part of his rig, IK’s engineers went the extra mile to even create a new stompbox effect that helps simulate the Red Special’s tone and controls. This offers guitarists a more authentic musical experience that pays homage to this living legend.
What’s included in AmpliTube Brian May
AmpliTube Brian May features 10 brand new models including 2 amps, 3 cabinets and 5 stomps created to recreate both the guitar and gear Brian used live and in the studio. A new pedal modeling his Red Special guitar, the unique home-built “Deacy” Amp (with adjustable battery power!), the famous triple-amp setup, his tone-shaping effects, and even a harmonizer so you can nail those Queen leads and go Headlong into the tone that sparked a rock revolution – they’re all here.
2 Amplifiers
BM 30
Based on the classic triple VOX® AC30™ setup, this model offers 3 amps with the effects chain in a Wet-Dry-Wet configuration to match Brian May’s iconic setup.
BM DK
Originally created by John Deacon, after modifying an old radio. This small amp soon became the trademark sound of many Queen songs.
3 Cabinets
2×12 BM 30 Blue
Triple cabinet based on the cab section of VOX® AC30™ equipped with with Celestion™ Alnico Blue speakers.
2×12 BM 30 H70
Triple cabinet based on the cab section of VOX® AC30™ equipped with with Celestion™ G12H Anniversary speakers.
1×6 BM DK
Cabinet section of the BM DK amp, featuring a 6” speaker, modeled after the mysterious “Deacy” amp.
5 Stompboxes
Red Special
Created by a detailed study of Brian May’s famous guitar, this helps add the unique tonality and controls of the Red Special itself.
Treble Booster
Based on the original KAT® Treble Booster, this stompbox effect will enrich your guitar tone similar to Brian May’s by boosting it before it reaches the amp.
May Wah
Based on a rackmount Dunlop® Cry Baby® wah, modeled in the exact configurations Brian uses to shape his tone.
FOX Phaser
Based on fOXX® Foot Phaser, a pedal-controlled phaser with a unique and distinctive sound.
Star Gate
This noise gate helps clean up the signal chain, minimizing the noise feeding Brian’s unique amp and pedal setup.
Groundbreaking Modeling Technology
For the AmpliTube Brian May, we used our latest Dynamic Interaction Modeling™ to deliver the highest level of ultra-realistic sound when modeling Brian’s gear. The product of 20 years’ experience modeling analog gear, DIM™ models the behavior of EVERY component in the circuit all the way down to its smallest nuance and character. IK models have set the industry standard evidenced by our co-branding recognition from the most influential partners in the industry such as Fender®, Ampeg®, Orange®, Soldano® and many more.
Applied to Brian May’s rig, the result is the same sound and feel you’d get from the real gear as he used in the recording studio and live in concert.
This machine is wild!! It transforms your guitar into a different instrument in a different universe – in this case, MY universe. Dial in one of the presets to get into Hammer to Fall or Bo Rhap or Killer Queen. Then make your own custom adjustments to fine- tune it, and mould it, and create the tone you want to own. And … save!! Enjoy!
Brian May
Queen (Official): We just hit 500 MILLION views on ‘Don’t Stop Me Now!’? Rewatch it:
Brian May: Sadly, 100 horses have been killed on British racecourses this year. Please sign Animal Aid’s petition calling for urgent action to end the deaths. Over 82,000 people have already signed, but 100,000 signatures are needed for the chance of a debate in Parliament. Time is running out, so please add your voice now. It’s time. Please help by signing.” at this location.
Sometimes I post things I can’t stomach, but not too often – unfortunately, this is one of those times. Queen guitarist Brian May and vocalist Kerry Ellis just premiered the official video for ‘Roll With You.’ The song is taken from their new album, Golden Days, available on Friday (April 7th). It is uncommon for me to give much commentary about the music, but in this case the lyrics were so lame that I had a very strong urge to take a sledgehammer to my computer – hopefully you won’t feel the same way. Why am I posting this? It’s Brian ‘Freakin’ May, who I admire greatly.
“This album is a true collaboration between Kerry and myself,” said May. “Five years ago, Anthems was the result of me producing an exciting new artist — Kerry Ellis. This new record has both our names on it, and breaks new ground. We produced ourselves together as a team. I feel confident it’s the best thing we’ve ever done and a worthy testament to 13 years of belief. It also happens to feature Britain’s most beautiful voice!”
“This new album has been a real journey of discovery and I feel so proud of how Brian and I have developed over the years; we have learnt how to work together and inspire each other to create special performances and music,” added Ellis. “The album is really a mixture of our experiences and has a story behind each song. Brian and I have had such fun developing it and can’t wait for people to hear it.”
Tracklisting
“Love in a Rainbow”
“Roll With You”
“Golden Days”
“It’s Gonna Be All Right (The Panic Attack Song)”
“Amazing Grace”
“One Voice”
“If I Loved You”
“Born Free”
“Parisienne Walkways”
“I Who Have Nothing”
“The Kissing Me Song”
“Story of a Heart”
“Can’t Help Falling In Love”
