In a recent interview with Absolute Radio, Brian May tells some of the story behind his Red Special guitar. Check out the video below.

May’s book, Brian May’s Red Special: The Story Of The Home-Made Guitar That Rocked Queen And The World (written with Simon Bradley) will be released October 21st by Hal Leonard.

“My dad and I decided to make an electric guitar,” May explains. “I designed an instrument from scratch, with the intention that it would have a capability beyond anything that was out there.”

In addition to being the lead guitarist for one of the world’s biggest bands, May holds a PhD in Astrophysics and is an expert in 3D photography. His previous books include Bang! The Complete History of the Universe (written with Chris Lintott and Patrick Moore), A Village Lost And Found (written with Elena Vidal), and Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures In Hell (written with Denis Pellerin and Paula Fleming).