Legendary guitarist Steve Cropper, known for his work with Booker T. & the MG’s and Stax Records, recently released his latest album Friendlytown. Featuring an impressive roster of famous collaborators, the album includes contributions from ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and Queen’s Brian May. The trio, despite their differing styles, found common ground during the making of the record.
In a conversation with Guitarist magazine, May discussed his connection with Gibbons and Cropper, revealing how the three guitarists share a similar approach to their playing. May noted, “What we have in common is that we don’t shred for the sake of it. Guitar playing, for all of us, is the voice; it’s how you feel. If your guitar can express that feeling, you’ve done your job.”
May emphasized that none of the musicians were focused on showing off technical prowess but rather played with emotion and integrity. Cropper, who is renowned for his soulful rhythm guitar, played a key role in fostering this collaborative spirit.
May, known for his iconic stadium-filling guitar solos, even showed a level of deference during the track Too Much Stress, where he collaborated with Gibbons. He initially hesitated when asked to share a solo with Gibbons, preferring to have their solos separated, but ultimately embraced the shared performance, admitting, “Actually, this probably does make sense.”
The collaboration highlights the respect and camaraderie between the three guitar legends, demonstrating that while their styles may differ, their passion for music and their instruments connects them deeply.
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