# The 1970s icon Brian May thought could replace him in Queen: “A lot in common”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-1970s-icon-brian-may-thought-could-replace-him-in-queen-a-lot-in-common/
- Published: 2026-11-02T08:44:44+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-02T09:54:46+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1970s-icon-brian-may-thought-could-replace-him-in-queen/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- 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.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.