Brian May
Brian May is a man who’s much more than just his magical Red Special and Queen anthems.
Let’s dive into the life of this rock legend!
Table of Contents
The Early Days
Born in Hampton, London, on July 19, 1947, Brian showed early signs of genius. By the time he hit his teens, he was already making waves with his guitar playing.
But did you know he and his dad built his iconic Red Special guitar from scratch? From old wood, motorbike springs, and some mother-of-pearl buttons, they created the guitar that would go on to shape the sound of Queen.
Queen
After a couple of tries with other bands, destiny came knocking when Brian teamed up with Roger Taylor, John Deacon, and iconic Freddie Mercury. Thus, Queen was born.
Their sound was unique — a mix of rock, opera, and a dash of everything in between. Brian’s distinct guitar playing became a hallmark of the band’s sound.
Solo Adventures
After the tragic death of Freddie Mercury, Queen’s future seemed uncertain. During these challenging times, Brian ventured into solo territory.
His albums “Back to the Light” and “Another World” showcased a more personal side.
Returning to Queen
While many believed Queen’s reign ended with Freddie’s passing, the band found a new lease on life with Adam Lambert.
“Queen + Adam Lambert” tours became a global sensation. And at the heart of this is Brian’s epic guitar solos and passion for keeping the Queen legacy alive.
Red Special
The Red Special, sometimes lovingly called the “Fireplace” (because, fun fact, it was partially made from an old fireplace), isn’t just a tool; it’s an extension of Brian himself.
With its semi-burnt look and unique sound, it’s played a massive role in making Queen’s music instantly recognizable.
Together with his sixpence coin (he uses a coin instead of a traditional pick), Brian coaxes sounds from the Red Special that leave most guitarists in awe.
Songwriter
While Freddie often took the spotlight for his songwriting, Brian penned some of Queen’s biggest hits.
- “We Will Rock You”
- “Save Me”
- “Fat Bottomed Girls”
That’s Brian’s handiwork. His songs often combined deep emotion with a rocking good time.
Dr. May: The Rock Star with a PhD
Beyond his musical prowess, Brian’s got brains. He’s massively into astrophysics.
In the late 2000s, while most rockstars of his era were chilling out, Brian was submitting his doctoral thesis on “A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud.”
The Stereoscopic Enthusiast
Brian’s been an enthusiast of stereoscopy, a photography technique that has created the illusion of depth since he was a kid. He’s even authored books on the subject, showcasing Victorian stereoscopic photographs. Not to mention, he created the OWL Stereoscopic Viewer, a device to view these 3D images.
The Personal Side
Away from the limelight, Brian’s a family man. Married to actress Anita Dobson (you might know her from the TV series “EastEnders”), he’s often spoken about the grounding influence of his family. He’s a dad to three kids, and if you stalk his Instagram just a little, you’ll find heartwarming moments with his clan and, of course, lots of stereoscopic images and space stuff.
Brian is a passionate advocate for animal rights. He’s frequently used his platform to campaign against badger culling and fox hunting in the UK. Plus, he’s a staunch supporter of saving wildlife habitats.
Brian May is a testament to the fact that humans aren’t one-dimensional. He shatters the stereotype of the “classic rockstar” and shows us that it’s cool to be passionate about everything!