Brian May recently hailed Pete Townshend as the God of Rock Guitar

Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, has expressed profound admiration for Pete Townshend, co-founder of The Who, acknowledging the immense influence Townshend has had on his own career. On May 20, May took to Instagram to share his deep respect for Townshend, emphasizing how the rock pioneer played a crucial role in shaping the sound of rock guitar. At 77, May reflected on the impact Townshend, 79, has had on the evolution of rock music.

He was responding to a Queen fan who had shared one of May's earlier statements where he described Townshend as a "god of guitar." May was prompted to expand on these thoughts, feeling it was important to reiterate his admiration. Alongside a photograph of himself with Townshend, May wrote, "I’m glad I said this — I probably don’t say it enough."

May credited Townshend with fundamentally shaping the sound of rock guitar, stating, "I can’t imagine Rock Guitar without Pete Townshend. Looking back, it seems to me he basically invented it! I was lucky enough to be there watching. My playing owes so much to him."

He acknowledged that while blues-influenced guitar playing was integral to rock's evolution in the 1970s and 1980s, Townshend introduced something radically different. On Dr. Brian May's website, he says: “We (Queen) wanted to take people off into the stratosphere. It’s always been that way with us. We were inspired by our heroes to do that, and I put The Who way up top of that list. Pete Townshend is the master of mood change, a master of the suspended chord. I owe so much to him…"

Brian May on what Pete Townshend brought to the table

According to May, Townshend's style featured "a blistering clang of super-amplified but not over-saturated chords - razor-edged monoliths crashing angrily through our brains, biting rhythmic hammer blows which would change the likes of me forever." In his post, May urged fans to revisit some of The Who’s classic tracks to fully appreciate Townshend’s genius. He highlighted songs such as "My Generation," where Keith Moon's dynamic drumming, John Entwistle's distinctive bass lines, and Roger Daltrey's powerful vocals combine to create a quintessential rock sound.

"Completely Awesome," May exclaimed, directing his followers to also listen to other Who classics like "I’m a Boy," "Substitute," "Can’t Explain," and their cover of "Summertime Blues."

May passionately asserted that these tracks "transformed Rock and Roll [into] ROCK!!!" He ended his post with a playful message to his fans: "Good Morning folks!! You have your assignment for the day." The admiration between these two rock icons is mutual, as Pete Townshend himself has recognized the importance of May's work with Queen.

The Who are not done...yet.

In related news, Townshend recently addressed the future of The Who in an interview with The New York Times, where he said "It feels to me like there’s a final tour where we play every territory in the world and then crawl off to die. I don’t get much of a buzz from performing with The Who. If I’m really honest, I’ve been touring for the money. My idea of an ordinary lifestyle is pretty elevated."

Despite earlier suggestions that The Who might embark on a farewell tour, Townshend clarified his comments, stating, "I’m not doing a farewell tour. I think I was being sarcastic about it." This statement has put to rest any speculation about an imminent, planned end to the band's legendary career.

Why Pete Townshend deserves those kind words

Throughout his career, Pete Townshend has been celebrated not only for his innovative guitar work but also for his songwriting, production, and visionary contributions to rock music, including rock operas. His work with The Who, particularly on albums like Tommy (1969) and Who’s Next (1971), has left a major mark. These albums are considered milestones in rock history, with Tommy pioneering the concept album and Who’s Next featuring groundbreaking use of synthesizers and studio technology.

Of course, some people will say The Who are the greatest rock band of all time. Brian May’s recent tribute serves as a reminder of Townshend’s lasting legacy and the continued reverence he commands among fellow musicians. Both May and Townshend remain towering figures in the world of rock, their contributions continuing to inspire new generations of artists and fans alike.