Queen’s Brian May says Pete Townshend “basically invented” rock guitar

nme.com:

Queen‘s Brian May has praised The Who‘s Pete Townshend, saying that he “basically invented” rock guitar – see the post below.Taking to Instagram yesterday (May 20), May shared an image of himself with Townshend alongside a past quote he’d given about the musician, in which he described him as “the master of mood change, a master of the suspended chord”.It added: “Pete Townshend’s a god of guitar and always will be!

I’d seen him stand there and let the guitar explode into life on its own.”In the caption, May reiterated his admiration for Townshend. “I’m glad I said this – I probably don’t say it enough,” he said. “I can’t imagine Rock Guitar without Pete Townshend.

Looking back, it seems to me he basically invented it!”He continued: “I was lucky enough to be there watching. My playing owes so much to him.

I’m not talking about the blues-influenced playing which also underpinned the evolution of 70s and 80s rock music – Townshend brought to the scene 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.A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal)“If you want to feel what I’m talking about – put on ‘My Generation’ at full volume on your home system – and gasp in wonder!!!