“Duane’s sound was distinctive, original and completely cutting edge at the time”: Brian May pays tribute to late rock ’n’ roll pioneer Duane Eddy and remembers the night his hero played the Red Special

Brian May and Duane Eddy.

Brian May has paid tribute to the late Duane Eddy, describing how the rock ’n’ roll godfather’s Rebel-Rouser changed guitar forever, and recalling the time he met his hero and had the honour of watching him playing his own homemade electric guitar, the Red Special.

Eddy, who died on 30 April, aged 86, following a battle with cancer, was of the first generation of rock ’n’ roll guitar heroes, and his influence left a lasting impression on the generation to follow – not least May. Hearing Eddy’s signature style, picking out notes on the guitar’s lower register, letting them bloom in the reverb, left a lasting impression on the Queen guitarist.