Brian May

Brian May

As vocalist, when I hear Brian play, I experience an extension of the melody. It’s as if another singer steps in and interprets the melody for a few bars. Never straying too far but offering a different color to the musical line.

Though down & dirty jams like Tie Your Mother Down or One Vision refer to a heavier, raw sound, his playing is always clean. There is no waste, no mud. Every note seems to have a musical purpose.

Born Brian Harold May, July 19, 1947, Hampton, London, England

• Studied physics at Imperial College London, graduating with a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in both Physics and Mathematics and ARCS
• October 2007, Brian completed his Ph.D. thesis in astrophysics
• On 17 November 2007, Brian May was appointed Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University
• Brian’s Red Special was built with his father (Harold) and made of wood from an 18th century fireplace
• Prefers to use coins instead of a more traditional guitar pick
• Influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton
• Has been referred to as a virtuoso guitarist
• In January 2007, the readers of Guitar World voted Brian’s guitar solos “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Brighton Rock” into the top 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of all time
• Solo releases (The Brian May Band) include Back to The Light, Another World,