Brian May
Brian May
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Brian Harold May is a renowned British musician, songwriter, and astrophysicist.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on July 19, 1947, in Hampton, London, England. Still active in his career as of this writing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
May is a British national, with primary professions as a musician, songwriter, and astrophysicist.
Early Life
Brian May grew up in a musical family, influenced by his mother's love for classical music and his father's passion for jazz. He developed an interest in astronomy at the age of nine, which would later evolve into a career in astrophysics. After attending Hampton Grammar School, he moved to Imperial College London to study physics.
Major Accomplishments
As a musician, Brian May is best known as the lead guitarist and founding member of the rock band Queen. He co-founded the group with bassist John Deacon, drummer Roger Taylor, and vocalist Freddie Mercury in 1970. Under his guidance, Queen produced numerous iconic albums and singles, such as 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' 'We Will Rock You,' and 'Another One Bites the Dust.'
As an astrophysicist, Brian May earned a Ph.D. from Imperial College London in 2007 for his research on zodiacal dust. He was also involved in several scientific projects, including the study of comets and asteroids.
Notable Works or Actions
Brian's contributions to music and science are too vast to be summarized here. However, some notable works include:
'A Night at the Opera' (1975) - a groundbreaking album that showcased Queen's innovative musical style.
'Bohemian Rhapsody' (1975) - an epic six-minute single that pushed the boundaries of music composition and production.
The study on zodiacal dust, published in 2007.Impact and Legacy
Brian May's impact on music and science is immense. His work with Queen has inspired generations of musicians and fans worldwide. As a scientist, he has made significant contributions to our understanding of celestial bodies and the universe.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Brian May is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Groundbreaking musical compositions that continue to inspire artists today.
Innovative approach to music production and performance, which pushed the boundaries of what was possible in popular music.
Dedication to science, particularly astrophysics, and his ability to communicate complex concepts to a broad audience.
His commitment to both art and science has earned him a unique place in history as a true polymath.
Quotes by Brian May
Brian May's insights on:
I go through major crises every few months, but then I have great peaks of belief and creativity. I'm a weird kind of animal.
Einstein got most of the things right about black holes. I'm not an expert, I must admit.
Each gig should be unique. You're always treading that line between keeping yourself fresh and giving people something they want to hear.
At the moment the Queen stuff does sell really well, but there's no guarantee it'll go on forever.
There are a lot of things in Queen albums that you don't expect; that's why we threw them in.
I think music is about our internal life. It's part of the way people touch each other. That's very precious to me. And astronomy is, in a sense, the very opposite thing. Instead of looking inwards, you are looking out, to things beyond our grasp.
It’s wonderful for me to see what ‘We Will Rock You’ has done. ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘We Are the Champions’ have kind of transcended the normal framework of where music is listened to and appreciated – they’ve become part of public life, which I feel wonderful about.