Brian May - Age, Health & Family and Queen.
Brian May soared to rock superstardom as the legendary guitarist of Queen. He’s also achieved advanced degrees in astrophysics and is a passionate animal welfare advocate.
Who Is Brian May?
Brian May played lead guitar on his homemade axe, the "Red Special," for the rock band Queen, which rose to fame in the 1970s.
After the passing of lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991, Queen found renewed success in subsequent years with vocalists Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert. Brian May also contributed to the creation of We Will Rock You, a popular musical featuring Queen's songs, as well as the 2018 biopic about Mercury, Bohemian Rhapsody. In addition to his music career, May has obtained advanced degrees in astrophysics, authored several books, and dedicated his efforts to animal welfare initiatives.
Early Life
Brian Harold May was born on July 19, 1947, in Hampton, Middlesex, England, to parents Ruth and Harold May.
A creative teenager named May, with his father's assistance, crafted his own guitar, affectionately named "The Red Special." This unique instrument, constructed from various makeshift materials like firewood and played with a six-pence coin as a pick, would play a significant role in May's musical journey. He would use it on every Queen album and during live performances. May attended Hampton Grammar School (now known as Hampton School), where he excelled academically. After graduating in 1965, he pursued a degree in astrophysics at Imperial College London, earning his bachelor's in science. He completed most of his Ph.D. by 1974 and finally finished it in 2007.
Music Career with Queen
While at London Imperial College, May formed a rock band called Smile, his passion for music soon trumping his interest in astrophysics. In 1971, May decided to pause his Ph.D. studies to tour with his band, which he renamed Queen—a title that would eventually become iconic in rock 'n' roll history. May took on the roles of lead guitarist, vocalist, and sometimes songwriter. The band’s frontman, Freddie Mercury, contributed by playing the piano as well. John Deacon played the bass guitar, and Roger Taylor handled the drums an provided vocals.
Successful Debut Album
In 1973, Queen made their mark by signing with EMI Records and launching their self-titled debut album, which achieved gold status. The band's innovative and distinctive sound captivated audiences in both the UK and the US.
'Queen II,' 'Sheer Heart Attack'
The year 1974 brought the release of two more successful Queen albums: Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack. The latter became a bestseller, highlighted by the Top 10 hit "Killer Queen." The next year, May and the band experienced even greater success: Queen achieved their first No. 1 album in the United States with A Night at the Opera, which included two of May's ballads, "39" and "The Prophet's Song." This album also introduced one of Queen's most famous tracks—the rock-opera anthem "Bohemian Rhapsody," featuring May's soaring guitar solo on his "Red Special." Additionally, that year, Queen started headlining their world tour concerts.
'News of the World'
While recording Queen's albums, May applied his knowledge of physics in the recording studio: Drawing on his understanding of sound waves, he crafted echoes that enhanced the stomping and clapping parts of the song, making it seem as though a massive crowd was generating the sounds. With "We Will Rock You," featured on the band's 1977 album News of the World, May aimed to develop an anthem that encouraged audience involvement and a sense of togetherness. The song successfully elicited this response at live performances, with concertgoers stomping, chanting, and clapping in perfect harmony.
'The Game' and Later Albums
The hit single "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," released in 1979, appeared on Queen's 1980 album The Game. Later that year, they released the Flash Gordon soundtrack album, followed by Hot Space in 1982, The Works in 1984, and A Kind of Magic in 1986. While the band's popularity was starting to wane during this time, they still managed to reach platinum status with their albums The Miracle in 1989 and Innuendo in 1991.
Death of Freddie Mercury
Tragedy struck May and the rest of Queen in 1991, when Mercury died of AIDS. Following his death, the band created the Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity dedicated to AIDS relief. In 1995, May, Deacon, and Taylor launched Made in Heaven, which became the band's last studio album featuring their original lead singer until the release of Queen Forever in 2014. This album included several previously unreleased tracks performed by Mercury, including a previously lost duet with the late Michael Jackson titled "There Must Be More to Life Than This."
Reuniting with Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert
In 2005, May and Taylor reunited for a tour, with Paul Rodgers on vocals. In 2008, they launched a studio album titled Cosmo Rocks. Four years later, in 2012, May and Taylor took to the stage again, this time featuring Adam Lambert, known for his American Idol fame, as the lead vocalist. The newly energized Queen embarked on a significant world tour with Lambert that lasted from June 2014 to September 2015, and they have continued to perform together in the years since.
Queen Musical and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Movie
In the early 2000s, May and Taylor signed on as music supervisors for a Queen jukebox musical, We Will Rock You. Directed and written by Ben Elton, We Will Rock You debuted in London in May 2002 and quickly became one of the longest-running shows in West End history. May was also part of the lengthy development process for a Freddie Mercury biopic. After several changes in the production team, Bohemian Rhapsody was released in the fall of 2018 to favorable reviews, with Rami Malek winning an Academy Award for his portrayal of the legendary Queen frontman. In addition, May has created and performed music for the theater, including the London Riverside Studios productions of Macbeth in 1987 and 1990. He has also worked on songs for film soundtracks, contributing to Mission: Impossible 2 in 2000 and Spider-Man 2 in 2004.
Astrophysics, Books and Activism
Continuing with his life-long interest in astrophysics, May collaborated with other astrophysicists to analyze data from the Pluto New Horizons probe at NASA in 2015.
He is a passionate enthusiast of stereoscopic photography, a form of 3D imaging, and is the owner of the London Stereoscopic Company. In a 2014 interview with The Telegraph, he expressed, “My geekiness is bottomless when it comes to stereo.” Throughout his career, May has written and co-written several books, including: MgI Emission in the Night Sky Spectrum (1972), Brian May: Back to the Light (1993), Bang! The Complete History of the Universe (2007), A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud (2008), A Village Lost and Found: "Scenes in Our Village" by T. R. Williams.
An Annotated Tour of the 1850s Series of Stereo Photograph (2009), Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures in Hell (2013), Brian May's Red Special (2013), How to Read the Solar System: A Guide to the Stars and Planets (2015), and Crinoline: Fashion's Most Magnificent Disaster (2016). In addition to his music and writing, the rocker, scientist, and author is a committed advocate for animal welfare. He founded The Save Me Trust in 2009 to safeguard wildlife. In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, he shared his thoughts on his legacy, stating, “I won’t be remembered in 1,000 years anyway, but I would like to leave this planet knowing that I did what I could to make it a better place, a more decent place, a more compassionate place." That same year, May was named vice president of the RSPCA in Britain.
Personal Life
May has one son, Jimmy, and two daughters, Louisa and Emily, with wife Chrissie Mullen, whom he married in 1974. After they parted ways, he married former Eastenders actress, Anita Dobson in 2000. Brian lives in Windlesham in the Surrey Heath borough of Surrey and is just 25 miles southwest of central London.
Health
The guitarist experienced a life-threatening heart attack following a gardening mishap in May 2020. After his recovery, he confidently declared himself "ready to rock."
People Also Ask
Did Brian May like Freddie Mercury?
Yes, Brian May and Freddie Mercury shared a close and creative friendship. Though they had their differences at times—as is common in long-standing bands—their mutual respect and admiration were key to Queen’s success. May has often spoken fondly of Freddie, describing him as both a musical genius and a dear friend.
How did Brian May get hepatitis?
Brian May revealed that he contracted hepatitis B in the 1970s after receiving an infected injection while on tour. It was a serious health scare at the time, and he’s since spoken about the importance of vaccine awareness and medical safety.
Who was Brian May's first wife?
Brian May’s first wife was Christine Mullen. The couple married in 1976 and had three children together before divorcing in 1988.
Has Brian May any children?
Yes, Brian May has three children: James, Louisa, and Emily Ruth. Despite his demanding music career, he has spoken about how important fatherhood is to him.
What is Brian May’s net worth?
Brian May has an estimated net worth of around $260 million, thanks to his decades-long success with Queen, songwriting royalties, and various solo and collaborative projects.
Did Brian May appear on Top Gear?
No, Brian May hasn’t appeared on Top Gear, but he’s often mistaken for former host James May due to their similar hairstyles and last names. Despite the confusion, they aren’t related.
What did Brian May look like when he was younger?
In his early days with Queen, Brian May was known for his towering curly hair, flared pants, and signature "Red Special" guitar. Vintage photos from the ’70s show him rocking a true rock star look.
What is Brian May doing now?
These days, Brian May splits his time between music, activism, and science. He remains active in Queen-related projects and is also a passionate advocate for animal welfare and astrophysics.
What is Brian May’s connection to Queen?
Brian May co-founded Queen in 1970 and has been the band’s lead guitarist ever since. His soaring solos and songwriting helped define the group’s iconic sound.
What guitar does Brian May use?
He famously plays the “Red Special,” a guitar he built with his father in the early 1960s. It’s known for its unique tone and custom design, central to May’s signature sound.
How is Brian May’s health?
In 2024, Brian May suffered a minor stroke that affected his left arm. According to his wife Anita Dobson, he’s since stabilized and is enjoying a quieter life at home.
Has Brian May been in the news recently?
Yes, in March 2025, Queen was honored with the Polar Music Prize—one of the most prestigious music awards in the world—highlighting the band’s lasting influence on global music culture.
