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The 1970s icon Brian May thought could replace him in Queen: “A lot in common”
Brian May said Mick Ronson could have been a strong choice to replace him in Queen, praising the guitarist’s supportive playing. The idea highlights how May’s role involved more than solos: his layered guitar parts and harmonies were central to the band’s sound.
May told Guitarist that he and Ronson, best known for playing with David Bowie, had “a lot in common”. He also admired Nuno Bettencourt and Jeff Beck, though he questioned whether Beck would have worked as well with Queen. Bowie described Ronson as the grounded counterpoint to his Ziggy Stardust persona.
In short
- May saw Mick Ronson as a possible stand-in.
- He valued Ronson’s supportive guitar playing.
- Ronson was a key musical partner for David Bowie.
Explained simply
Queen are a British rock band whose classic line-up included guitarist Brian May, singer Freddie Mercury, drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon. May’s guitar work helped define the band’s sound through carefully layered parts and harmonies, as well as lead solos.
Mick Ronson was a guitarist best known for working with David Bowie, including during Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust period. Bowie described Ronson as a grounded presence alongside his theatrical stage persona. May’s praise for Ronson reflects the importance of a guitarist who could support the whole arrangement, a role that helped shape Queen’s music.