Brian May has always been known for his distinctive guitar sound, and he credits the late Irish blues guitarist Rory Gallagher for helping him find it. In an interview with Guitarist, May shared how Gallagher introduced him to the Vox AC30 amplifier. He recalled staying behind at The Marquee in London after everyone had left, eager to learn Gallagher's secret. When he asked, Gallagher simply explained, "I have the AC30 and this little box, and I turn it up and it sings for me."
Inspired by this advice, May went to a guitar shop the next day and bought two secondhand AC30s for £30 each, along with a treble booster. When he plugged in his guitar and turned everything up, he was blown away by the sound. "It just melted my stomach," he said. "That’s my sound. And it’s different from Rory’s. His is much more bright." This moment was pivotal in shaping May's iconic tone, which has become a hallmark of his music.
In another interview for the film What's Going On - Taste Live at the Isle of Wight, May spoke about Gallagher's kindness and patience. He remembered how Gallagher was packing up his own gear and still took the time to talk to him. "He didn’t go, ‘Get out of here!’" May said, highlighting Gallagher's gracious nature. Rory Gallagher passed away in 1995 at the age of 47.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]