Brian May Biography: Sir Brian Harold May born 19 July 1947 is a renowned English musician, songwriter, record producer, astrophysicist, and animal welfare advocate. He rose to international prominence as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the iconic rock band Queen, which he co-founded alongside Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor. May’s distinctive guitar style and songwriting were instrumental in shaping Queen’s legendary sound and global success. Before forming Queen, May and Taylor played together in the progressive rock band Smile during May’s university years. With the addition of Freddie Mercury in 1970 and bassist John Deacon in 1971, the classic Queen lineup was born. The band catapulted to fame with the release of A Night at the Opera and its groundbreaking single “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Brian May Biography
Brian May is widely regarded as one of the most influential, innovative, and technically skilled guitarists in rock history. His instantly recognizable style, combined with his songwriting talent, played a major role in Queen’s global success. Over the years, May has written or co-written many of the band’s biggest international hits. He received his early education at Hampton Grammar School in London and went on to earn a degree in Mathematics and Physics from Imperial College London, one of the UK’s leading universities. May’s passion for music and engineering began at a young age. Alongside his father, he built his own electric guitar—famously crafted in part from an old fireplace. Designed to intentionally produce feedback, the instrument, later known as the “Red Special,” would become central to his unique sound. While at university, May formed the band Smile with drummer Roger Taylor.
Sir Brian Harold May is an English musician, songwriter, record producer, animal welfare activist and astrophysicist. He achieved global fame as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the rock band Queen, which he co-founded with singer Freddie Mercury and drummer Roger Taylor.
Born: 19 July 1947 (age 77 years), Hampton, United Kingdom
Music groups: Queen, Queen + Adam Lambert (Since 2011), Queen + Paul Rodgers, Kings of Chaos, 1984 (1963 – 1968)
Children: Emily Ruth May, Jimmy May, Louisa May
Height: 87 m
Education: Imperial College London, Hampton School, University of London
Early Life
Brian Harold May was born on 19 July 1947 at Gloucester House Nursing Home in Hampton Hill, near Twickenham in Middlesex. He is the only child of Ruth Irving (née Fletcher), who was Scottish, and Harold May, an Englishman who worked as a draughtsman for the Ministry of Aviation. The couple married in 1946 in Moulin, Perthshire, Scotland. May began his education at the local Hanworth Road state primary school. At the age of 11, he earned a scholarship to Hampton Grammar School, a voluntary aided institution, where he would lay the foundation for both his academic and musical pursuits.
During his school years, he formed his first band, 1984, inspired by George Orwell’s novel, alongside classmate Tim Staffell, who served as the group’s vocalist and bassist. At Hampton Grammar, May excelled academically, achieving ten GCE Ordinary Levels and three GCE Advanced Levels in physics, mathematics, and applied mathematics. He later attended Imperial College London, where he studied mathematics and physics, graduating with honours in 1968 with a BSc in physics.
Brian May at a Glance
Category: Richest Celebrities › Rock Stars Net Worth: $210 Million Date of Birth: July 19, 1947 (77 years old) Birthplace: Hampton, London Gender: Male Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Professions: Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Guitarist, Astrophysicist, Author Nationality: British
Solo Projects and Collaborations
During the 1980s, May explored solo ventures. He collaborated with Eddie Van Halen on the 1983 mini-album Star Fleet Project and contributed guitar solos to Black Sabbath’s 1989 album Headless Cross. After Mercury’s death, May released his solo album Back to the Light in 1992, featuring the hit “Too Much Love Will Kill You.” He formed the Brian May Band in 1992 and toured globally. Later, he worked with Queen + Adam Lambert, launching successful tours and residencies, including a 2018 run at the MGM Park Theater in Las Vegas.
Scientific Achievements
Despite pausing his studies during Queen’s rise, May returned to academia and completed his Ph.D. in astrophysics in 2007 at Imperial College. He later became a Visiting Researcher at the college and served as Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University from 2008 to 2013. May is deeply involved in science communication and was honored with the Lawrence J. Burpee Medal in 2019 for his contributions to public understanding of geography and science.
Personal Life
Brian May was married to Christine Mullen from 1976 to 1988, with whom he has three children: James, Louisa, and Emily Ruth. He later married actress Anita Dobson in 2000. Dobson was the inspiration behind the Queen hit “I Want It All.” In interviews, May has openly discussed struggling with depression in the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period marked by personal loss and Mercury’s declining health.
A committed animal rights advocate, May is the Vice President of the RSPCA and continues to lead campaigns through his Save Me Trust. In May 2020, he suffered a heart attack and underwent surgery to insert three stents. He later described the incident as a near-death experience that changed his outlook on life.
What Is Brian May’s Net Worth 2025?
Sir Brian May CBE is a legendary English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and astrophysicist with an estimated net worth of $210 million. Best known as the lead guitarist of Queen, May helped create timeless rock anthems like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” and “The Show Must Go On.” His innovative guitar work, using his custom-built “Red Special,” is central to Queen’s iconic sound. Beyond music, May has made significant contributions to science. He holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Imperial College London and has published several books on stereoscopy. He also co-founded Asteroid Day, an initiative to raise awareness about asteroid impact risks.
FAQs
What inspired Brian May to build his own guitar?
Brian May built his iconic “Red Special” guitar with his father when he was a teenager. Uniquely crafted from household materials, including wood from an old fireplace, the guitar was designed to intentionally produce feedback. It became central to his distinctive sound and remains one of rock’s most recognizable instruments.
Did Brian May ever finish his Ph.D.?
Yes, Brian May completed his Ph.D. in astrophysics in 2007 at Imperial College London. Although he initially paused his doctoral studies due to Queen’s rise to fame, he returned decades later and submitted his thesis on interplanetary dust, officially earning his doctorate in 2008.
What solo music has Brian May released?
Brian May has released several solo projects, including the 1992 album Back to the Light, which featured hits like “Too Much Love Will Kill You.” He also collaborated with Eddie Van Halen on Star Fleet Project and contributed to various other musical projects outside Queen.
How did Brian May meet his wife Anita Dobson?
Brian May met actress Anita Dobson in the 1980s when they worked together on her debut music project. Dobson inspired him to write the hit song “I Want It All.” The couple eventually married in 2000 and have remained together since.
What health issues has Brian May faced?
In May 2020, Brian May suffered a minor heart attack and underwent surgery to have three stents inserted into blocked arteries. He later shared that the experience brought him dangerously close to death and significantly impacted his perspective on life and health.
What does Brian May do for animal rights?
Brian May is a passionate animal welfare activist. He founded the Save Me Trust, an organization that campaigns against fox hunting and badger culling in the UK. He also serves as Vice President of the RSPCA, advocating for stronger protections for animals.
