Brian May Says George Harrison Remains Underrated

Brian May says George Harrison remains underrated because guitarists often favor speed and spectacle over emotional, song focused playing. “He’s so underrated,” May said in comments published on October 24, 2026, from a 2022 interview with the Express. May said he loves Harrison, reveres his playing and considers his catalog colossal.

Harrison’s emotion over commotion

May contrasted Harrison’s approach with the guitar community’s emphasis on fast, flashy playing. Harrison rarely made technique the center of a song, but May believes that restraint has caused guitarists to overlook his contribution to the electric guitar’s legacy. He also described the Beatles as models throughout their musical development and praised their writing, performances and ethos.

Harrison faced another problem within the Beatles. He had to find room for his songs beside John Lennon and Paul McCartney, whose partnership dominated the group’s writing. His playing was also measured against more overt lead guitar figures such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix.

That comparison became especially clear on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Harrison wrote the song but asked Clapton to play its lead lines. Clapton’s celebrated contribution did not diminish Harrison’s songwriting, which remained the foundation of the recording.

Harrison established a separate musical identity through his sitar playing and later through slide guitar. Slide became a defining part of his sound, and Clapton’s opinion carried particular weight with him. Harrison said Clapton’s approval of one of his slide solos meant more than the opinion of half the population.

Eric Johnson reached a similar conclusion about Harrison’s strength. Johnson described his playing as being about “emotion and not the commotion.”

(Via: Guitar Player)