When Kerry Ellis and Brian May teamed up for a live duet of The Beatles’ greatest ballad, the world-renowned Queen guitarist almost sent the set crashing to a halt after an unexpected and totally out-of-character guitar fail.
The moment has amassed more than 1.7 million YouTube views to date, and it reveals something spectacular about the rock god that’s hardly been seen before. Music Man readers can watch the near disaster unfold in the viral video below…
Just before Kerry Ellis lends her vocals to The Beatles’ legendary hit, “Something,” Brian May credits its songwriter, George Harrison, as one guitar hero paying wholesome tribute to another.
Then, he unleashes his version of the track. It’s not merely surprising to see Brian ditch his iconic electric guitar for an acoustic, but his twist on The Beatles’ classic is stunning from the start. Whilst paying complete respect to the original, Brian weaves his own magic into his and Kerry’s rendition, altering the feel in slight but striking ways which make their rendition absolutely hypnotic.
It’s all going flawlessly, as any Queen/May fan would expect. But just after nailing each and every intricacy of his guitar, Brian loses his grip on the track.
Brian messes up the song’s most iconic riff, starting on the wrong note and fumbling for a split second to regain his place in the music, soon styling it out as if it was intentional.
As the next chorus hits, Brian smiles it off with embarrassment, and continues to master the rest of the song. Yet, despite a disastrous note or two, this whole situation has got fans talking…
“I like it how Brian f****d up a couple of times there,” writes one top commenter beneath this viral YouTube clip. “Just shows that he’s only human. He’s a lovely human being and a great guitarist.”
Other fans can’t get enough of Brian’s slip-up as they glimpse the true man behind the guitar god image, with another viewer commenting to the tune of over 500 likes: “See him laugh when he screws up the main riff after the solo? Love it.”
While fans praise Brian’s distinct guitar sound and powerful arrangement, one common thread is linking viewers together: a deep appreciation of Brian’s respect for George Harrison, as “the two most influential rock bands of all time” become one, as one fan puts it.
And as viewers agree that “he made that guitar gently weep,” this heartwarming clip proves that, even at 71 years of age, and after 64 years of studying guitar, it’s practically impossible to be a complete master of your instrument. Budding guitarists – there’s hope for you yet!