"The guitar was my weapon, my shield to hide behind"

Brian May’s statement, “The guitar was my weapon, my shield to hide behind,” evokes the deep, dual significance that his instrument held throughout his life and career. The term ‘weapon’ conjures an image of using the guitar not just as a tool for music, but as a means of asserting himself and channeling his emotions into something powerful and constructive. It becomes an extension of his voice and presence, projecting energy into the world. For May, whose background was shaped by introspection and an analytical mindset, the guitar offered a way to break through boundaries, to communicate and connect more boldly than words sometimes allowed. By mastering the instrument, he could express aggression, passion, and vulnerability all at once, allowing previously hidden parts of his soul to emerge.

Simultaneously, May’s reference to the guitar as a ‘shield’ reveals vulnerability and the need for protection. Facing the scrutiny and pressures of fame, the stage, and public expectations, the guitar served as a buffer, a physical and psychological boundary between himself and the outside world. On stage, rather than standing defenseless in front of thousands, May could figuratively and literally hold the guitar before him. It provided grounding, a familiar object to focus on amidst uncertainty, essentially making performance less daunting and more personal. The shield is not just about defense from critics or crowds, but from the anxieties and insecurities that may come with being in the spotlight.

This duality encapsulates how creative pursuits can empower individuals, simultaneously emboldening them and giving them something to “hide behind.” Through his guitar, May could conquer fears and uncertainty, connecting with audiences on his own terms. The instrument thus became more than a mere object; it was both his means of self-defense and self-assertion, an ally enabling both protection and transformation.