Brian May was of course a massive contributor to Queen's tremendous catalog of music, both as a songwriter and as one of the most unique lead guitarists of his generation.
May's fluidity as a songwriter is evident through his Queen canon, having written some of the band's hardest rocking songs and its most beautiful love songs. He wrote both Queen's first-ever single, "Keep Yourself Alive," and the song the band performed live more than any other, "Now I'm Here."
May's songs were accustomed to chart success as well, from rockers like "Tie Your Mother Down" and "Flash" to ballads like "Who Wants to Live Forever" to anthems like "Fat Bottomed Girls," "I Want It All" and "The Show Must Go On," and, of course, one of the most popular songs of all-time, "We Will Rock You."
The latest episode of Queen's delightful YouTube series, Queen The Greatest, dives into May's most beloved songs. You can watch it via the player above!
For more episodes of Queen The Greatest go here.
Photo: Photography by Barry Bowden