A look back at Brian May's incredible five-decade career
Half a century of pure rock genius
Sir Brian May is one of the most talented musicians that Britain has ever produced. Since forming the band Queen with Roger Taylor, Freddie Mercury and John Deacon in 1970, Brian has been an authoritative voice in music, charity work and the world of showbiz in general.
We know him best as one-quarter of Queen, but how much do you know about the guitarist as a person? From Sir Brian's recent knighthood to his unique perfume line, find out everything you never knew about Brian May right here.
WATCH: Brian May talks about the Freddie Mercury biopic
Who is Brian May?
Brian May is most widely recognised as the guitarist and one of the songwriters in legendary rock band Queen. A genuine one-off, he possess an instantly recognisable style of playing that’s uniquely his own. His studio work is characterised by layers upon layers of multi-tracked guitars, while his lead playing is both harmonious and melodic.
He formed Queen with drummer Roger Taylor when their previous band, Smile, split up, and they hooked up with singer Freddie Mercury. They eventually recruited bassist John Deacon and initially developed a new musical direction that fused heavy rock with balladry, an operatic flair and an unashamed sartorial flamboyance.
Following their first three albums – ‘Queen’ (1973), ‘Queen II’ and ‘Sheer Heart Attack’ (both 1974), the band hit an artistic and commercial high with a succession of wildly successful albums including ‘A Night At The Opera’, ‘A Day At The Races’, ‘News Of The World’ and ‘Jazz’.
Queen later bestrode the 80s as masters of the pop single. Crucially, by having four distinct songwriters in the band, Queen ensured a healthy degree of internal competition that resulted in some of the most memorable and idiosyncratic hits in UK chart history.
So which songs did Brian May write?
His 70s hits included ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Tie Your Mother Down’ and ‘Now I’m Here’, while his 80s hits took in ‘Flash’, ‘Hammer To Fall’ and ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’.
Interestingly, Brian is the only member of Queen not to have written a UK or US No. 1 hit single on his own, though he did come close with the 1977 UK No. 2, ‘We Will Rock You’. However, his 1980-penned single, ‘Flash’ went to No. 1 in Austria.
Sir Brian May's knighthood
It was announced on 31st December 2022 that Brian May would become a Sir the following year, as part of the 2023 edition of the King’s New Year Honours List.
On 14th March 2023, Brian May was knighted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, for his 'services to music and charity work'. Following the lavish ceremony, the legendary guitarist will now be officially known as Sir Brian Harold May.
Pictures of Queen’s Brian May being knighted by King Charles:
Sir Brian May knighted at Buckingham Palace
Sir Brian May
Sir Brian May knighted at Buckingham Palace
Sir Brian May with King Charles III
Sir Brian May knighted at Buckingham Palace
Sir Brian May with King Charles III
Sir Brian May knighted at Buckingham Palace
Sir Brian May with King Charles III
Sir Brian May knighted at Buckingham Palace
Sir Brian May with his wife Anita Dobson
Sir Brian May knighted at Buckingham Palace
Sir Brian May
Speaking about his knighthood, Sir Brian said: "I will regard the knighthood not so much as a reward, but more as a charge—a commission—for me to continue to fight for justice – to be a voice for those who have no voice. I will endeavour to be worthy – to be that Knight in Shining Armor."
Brian May's stroke
In September 2024, Brian revealed that he'd suffered a minor stroke the previous week. In a video posted to his Instagram account, he said he'd been rushed to hospital by ambulance and was initially unable to use his left arm. The 77-year-old rocker reassured fans that he’s now OK and can play guitar.
Did Brian May build his own guitar?
He did. Brian designed and built his guitar with his father, Harold. Called ‘The Red Special’, the guitar took two years to design and build and it was partially made from a fireplace mantel.
WATCH: Queen guitarist Brian May talks about building The Red Special guitar
Was he an astrophysicist?
There’s no ‘was’ about it; Brian May IS an astrophysicist. May was awarded a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London in 2007. He started it in 1971 - and then Queen got in the way.
Prior to that, he studied Mathematics and Physics at Imperial College London, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1968 with honours. A co-founder of the awareness campaign, Asteroid Day, Asteroid 52665 Brianmay was named after him.
If that wasn’t enough, he was Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University from 2008 to 2013 as well as being a "science team collaborator" with NASA's New Horizons Pluto mission. He also co-wrote Bang!: The Complete History of the Universe in 2006 with Sir Patrick Moore and astrophysicist Chris Lintott. Blimey!
When is his birthday?
He was born on 19th July 1947 in Hampton, London, and was the only child of Harold and Ruth May. This makes Brian May 77-years-old at the time of writing.
Sadly, in 2021, just days before Brian's 74th birthday, he was left devastated as flash floods in London destroyed many of his cherished personal belongings.
Is Brian married to Anita Dobson?
Brian May and former Eastenders star Anita Dobson were married on 18th November 2000, though they had been together since the mid-80s when they first met. Anita accompanied Brian as he was knighted by King Charles III on 14th March 2023, pictured outside Buckingham Palace together.
Prior to their marriage, Brian had been married to Christine Mullen since 1976, but they separated in 1986. They have three children: James, Louisa and Emily Ruth.
Are Brian May and Roger Taylor friends?
Given that Brian and Roger are still working together after the death of Freddie Mercury and the departure of John Deacon, it’s a pretty safe bet that they’re more than fond of each other.
They got back together in 2004 with former Free and Bad Company singer Paul Rodgers. Known as Queen + Paul Rodgers, they toured Europe, Japan and the US before entering the studio and recording the 2008 album, ‘The Cosmos Rocks’. They later toured Russia and South America before splitting amicably in 2009.
Brian and Roger then got together in 2009 with singer Adam Lambert after he sung with them as a contestant on the talent show ‘American Idol’. Known as Queen + Adam Lambert, they have become an incredibly successful live act that keeps the original band’s legacy going strong with their world tours.
Brian May's book
The music legend released a book in 2022 titled Stereoscopy Is Good For You: Life in 3-D, announcing a rare book signing to celebrate the publication. The signing served as Brian's first since before the pandemic.
Brian appeared at his exhibition at The London Stereoscopic Company Shop at the Proud photography gallery in Charing Cross in London.
His charity work
Brian is an animal rights activist, and was appointed vice president of animal welfare charity the RSPCA in 2012. He also founded Save Me, an animal welfare organisation that campaigns against fox hunting and badger culling, something Sir Paul McCartney has been involved with too.
£10 from each sale of Brian's book, Stereoscopy Is Good For You: Life in 3-D, will be donated to The Save Me Trust animal welfare organisation, which protects wild animals.
Does he have his own perfume?
He most certainly does, but it might not be the scent most of you would think...
In January 2021, Brian launched a new perfume, alongside Xerjoff boss Sergio Momo, that reportedly has an aroma similar to that of a badger. Sales from the cologne will go to Brian’s Save Me Trust, to protect the welfare and dignity of wild animals.
WATCH: Queen interview: Brian May on Crazy Little Thing Called Love
You can listen to Queen's biggest hits on the Absolute Radio playlist.
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