Brian May

Brian May - Child Prodigies, Birthday and Childhood

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Brian May Biography Stories 

Brian May's Personal Details

Brian May is a legendary and prolific guitarist from the famous rock band ‘Queen’

InformationDetail
BirthdayJuly 19, 1947
NationalityBritish
FamousChild Prodigies, Imperial College London, Musicians, ISFJ
SpousesAnita Dobson (m. 2000), Chrissie Mullen (m. 1974–1988)
Known asBrian Harold May
ChildrensEmily Ruth May, Jimmy May, Louisa May
Universities
  • Imperial College London
  • Imperial College London
  • Hampton School
  • University of London
Notable Alumnis
  • Imperial College London
Birth PlaceHampton, London
Height188
GenderMale
FatherHarold May
MotherRuth May
Net Worth$175 Million as of Feb 14,2017
Sun SignCancer
Born inHampton, London

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Brian May's photo

Who is Brian May?

Brian May is an English musician, songwriter, astrophysicist and famous guitarist of ‘Queen’. With his iconic haircut that defies the image of a scientist, he went on to become a legend in the genre of ‘rock’ music, selling more albums than ‘The Beatles’. May picked up the guitar when he was just 7 years old forming his first band in school. It was astonishing for his family and friends at the time who realized his passion for music and science, which worked very well as a combination for him. He then pursued PhD in Astrophysics at Imperial College, London, quitting in between, cashing on the fame garnered by his famous rock band, ‘Queen’. As a part of the band, he composed several tunes and even wrote some very popular songs. With several guitar solos, covers and collaborations with legendary artists, May’s music albums have topped the music charts in the UK and USA. After 30 years, he went back to college to complete his PhD and has also continued to perform live around the world.

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Childhood & Early Life

Born in Hampton, London Brian Harold May was the only child of Harold and Ruth May.

He studied at Hampton Grammar School and formed his first band in 1984, with Tim Staffell.

He completed ten GCE Ordinary Levels and also three A-levels and then joined Imperial College, London, where he pursued a B.Sc. degree in Physics and Mathematics.

Career

In 1968, May and Tim Stafell, along with drummer Roger Taylor, formed the band ‘Smile’. The band disbanded in two years with Staffell’s exit.

He and Roger Taylor joined Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, to form the famous British Rock band ‘Queen’ in 1970.

He frequently wrote songs for the band and has also lent his vocals for many songs.

In 1985, the band wrote the song ‘One Vision’ together after the famous ‘Live Aid’ concert.

He then collaborated with Eddie Van Halen to record his first solo work ‘Star Fleet Project’ in 1983. He also played the guitar for Steve Hackett’s album ‘Feedback 86’.

In 1989, he composed ‘I Want It All’ and ‘Scandal’ for the band’s album, ‘The Miracle’. The same year he worked with other bands like ‘Black Sabbath’ and ‘Living In a Box’, playing guitar solos for a song in each of their albums.

After the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991, he dealt with the loss by devoting himself to work and completed his solo album ‘Back to the Light’, which released the following year.

In 1992, he finally formed ‘The Brian May Band’. However, unhappy with the equation between the group members, he replaced many of its members the following year.

In 1995, May had started contributing for film projects and was also working on an album of covers, titled ‘Heroes’.

He appeared as a guest alongside Eddie Clarke for the song, ‘Overkill’ at the Motorhead 25th Anniversary show.

After their announcement of touring with Paul Rodgers in 2004, Brian May and Taylor reunited and the band toured with the name ‘Queen + Paul Rodgers’. The band toured the world for the next two years.

In 2007, he returned to Imperial College London to complete his Ph.D. in astrophysics which he had quit before to pursue his musical dreams.

In 2008, Queen+ Paul Rodgers first solo album ‘The Cosmos Rocks’ was released. Following this, the band did another world tour before splitting the next year.

In 2011, Queen performed with Adam Lambert for MTV Europe Music Awards.The positive response to the performance led Queen and Adam Lambart perform at two shows in London followed by Ukraine and Moscow, in 2012. The same year, Queen performed at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in London.

Major Works

Brian May contributed to singles like 'Tie Your Mother Down', 'We Will Rock You', 'Who Wants to Live Forever', 'Hammer to Fall', 'Save Me', 'Fat Bottomed Girls' and 'I Want It All' which changed the face of rock and made him the legendary guitarist he is today.

Awards & Achievements

He collaborated with Elizabeth Lamers, whose music won two Ivor Novello Awards for ‘Best Song Musically & Lyrically’ in 1996.

He was presented the Global Icon Award for ‘Queen’ at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2011.

In 2011, he also made it to the Rolling Stone magazine's list of the ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Chrissie Mullen in 1974 and divorced her in 1988. They have three children - Jimmy, Louisa and Emily Ruth.

It was rumoured that May’s first marriage ended due to his alleged affair with actress Anita Dobson whom he finally married in 2000.

May confessed that he had gone through a period of depression for few years in late 1980s and 1990s due to his sinking personal life. He was so aggrieved and depressed that he even contemplated suicide.

Trivia

This famous guitarist plays with his custom-made electric guitar, the ‘Red Special’.

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Brian May biography timelines

  • // 19th Jul 1947
    Born in Hampton, London Brian Harold May was the only child of Harold and Ruth May.
  • // 1968
    In 1968, May and Tim Stafell, along with drummer Roger Taylor, formed the band ‘Smile’. The band disbanded in two years with Staffell’s exit.
  • // 1970
    He and Roger Taylor joined Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, to form the famous British Rock band ‘Queen’ in 1970.
  • // 1974 To 1988
    He married Chrissie Mullen in 1974 and divorced her in 1988. They have three children - Jimmy, Louisa and Emily Ruth.
  • // 1983
    He then collaborated with Eddie Van Halen to record his first solo work ‘Star Fleet Project’ in 1983. He also played the guitar for Steve Hackett’s album ‘Feedback 86’.
  • // 1984
    He studied at Hampton Grammar School and formed his first band in 1984, with Tim Staffell.
  • // 1985
    In 1985, the band wrote the song ‘One Vision’ together after the famous ‘Live Aid’ concert.
  • // 1989
    In 1989, he composed ‘I Want It All’ and ‘Scandal’ for the band’s album, ‘The Miracle’. The same year he worked with other bands like ‘Black Sabbath’ and ‘Living In a Box’, playing guitar solos for a song in each of their albums.
  • // 1991
    After the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991, he dealt with the loss by devoting himself to work and completed his solo album ‘Back to the Light’, which released the following year.
  • // 1992
    In 1992, he finally formed ‘The Brian May Band’. However, unhappy with the equation between the group members, he replaced many of its members the following year.
  • // 1995
    In 1995, May had started contributing for film projects and was also working on an album of covers, titled ‘Heroes’.
  • // 1996
    He collaborated with Elizabeth Lamers, whose music won two Ivor Novello Awards for ‘Best Song Musically & Lyrically’ in 1996.
  • // 2000
    It was rumoured that May’s first marriage ended due to his alleged affair with actress Anita Dobson whom he finally married in 2000.
  • // 2004
    After their announcement of touring with Paul Rodgers in 2004, Brian May and Taylor reunited and the band toured with the name ‘Queen + Paul Rodgers’. The band toured the world for the next two years.
  • // 2007
    In 2007, he returned to Imperial College London to complete his Ph.D. in astrophysics which he had quit before to pursue his musical dreams.
  • // 2008
    In 2008, Queen+ Paul Rodgers first solo album ‘The Cosmos Rocks’ was released. Following this, the band did another world tour before splitting the next year.
  • // 2011 To 2012
    In 2011, Queen performed with Adam Lambert for MTV Europe Music Awards.The positive response to the performance led Queen and Adam Lambart perform at two shows in London followed by Ukraine and Moscow, in 2012. The same year, Queen performed at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in London.
  • // 2011
    He was presented the Global Icon Award for ‘Queen’ at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2011.
  • // 2011
    In 2011, he also made it to the Rolling Stone magazine's list of the ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’.

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Brian May's FAQ

  • What is Brian May birthday?

    Brian May was born at 1947-07-19

  • Where is Brian May's birth place?

    Brian May was born in Hampton, London

  • What is Brian May nationalities?

    Brian May's nationalities is British

  • Who is Brian May spouses?

    Brian May's spouses is Anita Dobson (m. 2000), Chrissie Mullen (m. 1974–1988)

  • Who is Brian May childrens?

    Brian May's childrens is Emily Ruth May, Jimmy May, Louisa May

  • What was Brian May universities?

    Brian May studied at Imperial College London, Imperial College London, Hampton School, University of London

  • What was Brian May notable alumnis?

    Brian May's notable alumnis is Imperial College London

  • How tall is Brian May?

    Brian May's height is 188

  • Who is Brian May's father?

    Brian May's father is Harold May

  • Who is Brian May's mother?

    Brian May's mother is Ruth May

  • What is Brian May's sun sign?

    Brian May is Cancer