Interesting facts about the life of cult Queen guitarist Brian May
Talented and, as it turned out, a very warm-hearted person, Brian May known to be permanent Queen guitarist - one of the most legendary bands in history! Fans know him as a quiet and virtuoso musician, but... in addition, Mei is a real astrophysicist, an experienced photographer and a master of a series of "carefully designed instruments"! And while fans got the chance to experience Queen's history in a biopic «Bohemian Rhapsody» (in which Brian played Gwilim Lee), it would not be superfluous to dive a little deeper into the biography of the man who stood at the origins of the cult band ...
He is a big fan of stereoscopic photography.
In the middle of the 19th century, the fashion known as "stereoscopic photography" took by storm Victorian London after the World's Fair 1851 of the year! One stereo photograph used two almost identical images, presented side by side, which, when viewed through a special viewer, were combined into three-dimensional images. Although the popularity of these images waned as the development 3D photos, the old double images have fascinated for a long time Brian May…
With the help of fellow enthusiasts and scientists, May worked to revive this form of depiction, publishing books documenting his considerable collection of original Victorian stereo photographs, and inviting interested modern readers to experience ancient curiosities properly...
He built his first guitar by hand at the age of 16.
Brian May picked up the guitar 7 years (That's when he started taking lessons)! At the same time, his first guitar appeared with him only at 16and it was completely unique...
The uniqueness of the instrument was that it was assembled by Brian himself and his father Harold! The luxurious guitar, based on an old mantelpiece, eventually got the name Red Special and fame in the world of rock music!
May was inspired by his second wife for "I Want It All"
Composition "I Want It All" considered one of Queen's major late singles! Unfortunately, at Freddie Mercury it was not possible to perform this work live ... The iconic frontman died in 1991, and the group performed "I Want It All" only a year later at a concert dedicated to the memory of Mercury (with Roger Daltrey on vocals...)
It is noteworthy that the song was written Brian May, and inspired him to this song by his second wife Anita Dobson! "I Want It All" was written when May's marriage to Chrissy Mullen bursting at the seams: it was then that the guitarist was inspired by the line that Dobson regularly uttered, which eventually became his second wife ...
He's an animal rights activist (he even has his own sanctuary)
Few people know, but May has been an activist for many years! So, the guitarist has long expressed outrage at the support for animal culling. A good example is the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. 2012 years in London: then Brian May expressed her disdain for the proposed culling of badgers and foxes in Gloucester and Somerset by appearing on stage in a costume depicting these two animals ...
Despite their role in Queen and achievements in music, May stated that what he would like most of all to be remembered for his activism… Since then, he has made many steps in support of animals, including participating in a protest single "Save the Badger Badger Badger" and building your own reserve! In the early 2010s, May "donated" some of his land by building a sanctuary to rehabilitate injured animals. At one point he had 36 hedgehogs, seven badger cubs and two brown owls!
He admires Lady Gaga and it's mutual
While working on her 2011 album Born This Way, shocking, but also very cordial Lady Gaga turned to the legendary producer for help Mattu Langu (he worked with Def Leppard, AC/DC, Britney Spears and many other idols!) In turn, Lang recruited Brian May - in particular for playing the guitar, which eventually complemented the single "You and I":
As a result, May and Gaga became friends, and even performed this song together on the same stage. MTV Video Music Awards! Afterwards, the iconic guitarist made an important announcement: Brian May stated that he would be interested in Gaga performing with Queen!
And while the singer's busy schedule has prevented this, the two musicians still speak warmly of each other...
He received his Ph.D. in astrophysics after more than 30 years
Queen formed in 1970 year when Brian May still studying astrophysics at Imperial College London. When the band reached international fame, May put aside his research into the zodiacal light in favor of touring, writing lyrics, and recording music... By the way: even though the zodiacal light is visible from the Earth's surface, its exact cause has still not been fully understood. known when it attracted the attention of May ... Later, astronomers determined its origin - it turns out that this phenomenon is associated with the reflection of sunlight from the accumulated space debris.
It seems unbelievable, but after more than 30 years, Brian May returned to his studies to complete his dissertation! As a result, he received his Ph.D. in astrophysics in May. 2007 of the year.
He worked for five years as the rector of the university
Unwilling to rest on his laurels after his academic achievements, the newly minted doctor Brian May assumed important duties at the University of Liverpool John Moore in 2008 as chancellor. He changed Sheri Booth, lawyer and wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, for 5 years! In this honorary role, Mei awarded diplomas to graduates and was the public face of the university! The position was awarded to May for both his work with Queen and his advocacy for the "popularization of astronomy".
