Brian May reveals the 1970s band who "mentored" Queen and ended too soon

Brian May, Queen's legendary guitarist, opened up about a band from the 1970s that, according to him, came to an early end and was fundamental in Queen's initial trajectory. Although Queen achieved resounding success and shared the stage with big rock names such as Thin Lizzy, Status Quo and even at the iconic Live Aid festival in 1985, the group does not forget their roots and the artists who influenced them in their first steps. Before becoming one of the biggest bands on the planet, Freddie Mercury, Brian May and company started out opening for other bands, some of whom they deeply admired. Among these, Mott the Hoople stands out as a shining example for Brian May. In a promotional video for his 2022 solo album, Another World, which features a cover version of Mott the Hoople's hit "All The Way From Memphis", May expressed his sadness that the band did not receive the recognition they deserved. "They were our mentors, in a way," said Brian May, recalling Queen's early days. "We were starting out as a rock group, full of great ideas and songs and performances, but we had never toured. We were lucky enough to open for Mott the Hoople, who at the time were already a big band." This experience served as a valuable learning experience for Queen, who quickly evolved and ended up surpassing the bands they supported. However, what bothered May was seeing that Mott the Hoople, despite all the talent and influence, ended up disbanding before reaching the heights they deserved. "They should have been bigger if they hadn't ended so soon," added the guitarist, making an ambitious comparison: "I think they could have reached the level of the Rolling Stones or something." Mott the Hoople, although worshiped by many artists and fans, never had the commercial success to match its importance in the British rock scene of the 70s. The band was marked by some hits in the United Kingdom, its participation in the glam rock movement and for being saved from an early dissolution by David Bowie himself. Even so, Brian May believes that their potential was much greater and that the world did not properly recognize their talent. Brian May's reflection on Mott the Hoople not only highlights the importance of the band as a mentor to Queen, but also highlights how the music scene can be unfair to groups that, despite their quality, do not achieve the expected success. Mott the Hoople's legacy lives on among classic rock fans, and May's tribute reinforces the respect and admiration they have earned within the music industry.