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Brian May facts: Queen guitarist's age, wife, children, songs and career revealed
6 June 2024, 11:47
Brian May is one of the world's most successful and recognisable guitarists of all time (and not just because of the hair).
Brian May, guitarist for the legendary rock band Queen, is renowned for his virtuosic playing and signature sound.
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A multi-talented artist, he is also an accomplished astrophysicist, author, and animal rights advocate. His iconic riffs and solos have made an enduring impact on rock music history.
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How old is Brian May and where is he from?
Queen's greatest music videos: Brian May breaks down band's biggest hits | Smooth's Video Rewind
Brian May was born on July 19, 1947. He celebrated his 76th birthday in 2023.
Brian was born in a nursing home at Hampton Hill, Twickenham, and was the only child of Ruth Irving (née Fletcher) and Harold May, who worked as a draughtsman at the Ministry of Aviation.
His mother was Scottish, and his father was English.
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When and how did he join Queen?
Queen in 1985. Picture: Getty Brian May co-founded Queen in 1970 alongside drummer Roger Taylor and bassist John Deacon, with Freddie Mercury joining as the lead vocalist.
Prior to forming Queen, May and Taylor were in a band called Smile, which disbanded, leading to the creation of Queen.
Mercury's dynamic presence and the group's collective musical talent quickly solidified their place in rock history.
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Who is Brian May's wife?
Picture: PA From 1974 to 1988, Brian May was married to Christine Mullen.
Brian met EastEnders actress Anita Dobson in 1986, and she inspired him to write the 1989 hit 'I Want It All'. They married on 18 November 2000, and have remained together ever since.
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How many children does Brian May have?
Brian May and daughter Emily Ruth in 2011. Picture: Getty With his first wife Christine Mullen, he has three children: James (born 15 June 1978), Louisa (born 22 May 1981), and Emily Ruth (born 18 February 1987).
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What are Brian May's best solo songs?
Brian May - Driven By You (Official Video)
Outside of Queen, Brian May has released two solo albums: 1992's Back to the Light and 1998's Another World.
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His biggest solo songs were 'Driven By You' and 'Too Much Love Will Kill You' from his debut album (the latter of which was re-tooled with Freddie Mercury's vocals in 1995). He also teamed up with rapper Dappy for the 2012 track 'Rockstar'.
He also provided the soundtrack to the 1999 movie Furia, starring a young Marion Cotillard.
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What is Brian May's guitar of choice?
brian may best solo ever
Brian May mainly used his "Red Special", which he designed when he was only 16 years old. It was made with wood from an 18th century fireplace.
He said of his guitar: "I like a big neck – thick, flat and wide. I lacquered the fingerboard with Rustin's Plastic Coating. The tremolo is interesting in that the arm's made from an old bicycle saddle bag carrier, the knob at the end's off a knitting needle and the springs are valve springs from an old motorbike."
He also prefers to use coins, instead of a more traditional plastic plectrum, as it gives him more control in playing. He is known to carry coins in his pockets specifically for this purpose.
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Is Brian May also a scientist?
Brian May studied physics and mathematics at Imperial College London, graduating with a BSc (Hons) degree and ARCS in physics with Upper Second-Class Honours.
From 1970 to 1974, he also studied for a PhD degree at Imperial College, studying reflected light from interplanetary dust and the velocity of dust in the plane of the Solar System. The title alone sounds very technical!
However, when Queen found success, he abandoned his studies, but co-authored two peer reviewed research papers, which were based on his observations at the Teide Observatory in Tenerife.
In 2006, May re-registered for his PhD at Imperial College and submitted his thesis in August 2007. He graduated at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 May 2008.
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What is Brian May's connection with badgers?
Picture: Getty Brian May formed a group to promote animal welfare. Save Me (named after the Queen song), campaigns for the protection of all animals against unnecessary and degrading treatment, particularly focusing on the hunting of foxes and the culling of badgers.
He has said that he would rather be remembered for his animal rights work than for his music or scientific work.
