Queen’s Brian May voted greatest rock guitarist of all time
Queen’s Brian May has been crowned the greatest rock guitarist of all time by the readers of Total Guitar, iHeartRADIO reports.
“I’m absolutely speechless. I’m blown away,” the 72-year-old musician said. “I have to say it’s completely unexpected.
“Obviously I’m deeply touched that people feel that way about me. I’m not under any illusions that, technically, I’m even on the tree of great guitarists. I guess this tells me that what I’ve done has affected people, and that means a great deal to me.”
May edged out the late Jimi Hendrix to take the top spot. “Jimi is, of course, my No. 1. And I’ve always said that. To me, he’s still something superhuman. It’s like he really did come from an alien planet, and I will never know quite how he did what he did.
“I never stop learning from Jimi.”
Total Guitar gave readers a list of 170 guitarists in several categories: classic rock, blues, heavy metal, shred, indie/alternative and "best right now." In addition to May and Hendrix, the top vote earners in the rock category included Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen.