Brian Harold May Bio

Brian Harold May is a British musician, singer, songwriter, and astrophysicist. He was born on July 19, 1947, in Hampton, Middlesex, England. May is best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen. He is also a prolific songwriter, responsible for writing or co-writing many international hits with Queen. May is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential, innovative, technically gifted, and recognizable guitarists in the history of rock.
May was born to Ruth Irving and Harold May. His mother was Scottish, and his father was English. May attended the local Hanworth Road state primary school, followed by Hampton Grammar School, where he studied mathematics and physics. May went on to earn a degree in physics and mathematics from Imperial College London and a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College and the University of London.
May formed the band Smile in 1968, which later became Queen. The band’s first album, “Queen,” was released in 1973. Queen went on to become one of the most successful bands in the history of rock music, with hits such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “We Are the Champions.” May’s guitar playing was a key part of the band’s sound, and his distinctive style has influenced countless guitarists over the years.
In addition to his work with Queen, May has released several solo albums, including “Back to the Light” and “Another World.” He has also collaborated with other musicians, including Eddie Van Halen, Tony Iommi, and Roger Taylor.
May is also an accomplished astrophysicist and has published several research papers on the subject. He was appointed a visiting researcher in astrophysics at Imperial College London in 2007 and was awarded a PhD in astrophysics in 2008. May has also been involved in several space-related projects, including the NASA New Horizons mission to Pluto.
May has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2005 and was knighted in 2020 for services to music, charity, and animal welfare.