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(#9) He's Co-Authored Several Books
In keeping with his varied personal interests and achievements, May has lent his name to books covering a host of subjects. For those who prefer astrophysics, May offers Bang! The Complete History of the Universe, a concise work of popular science that boils down the entirety of the universe’s origins into a digestible 176 pages.
For those who prefer the Victorian stereo photo enthusiast, May's Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures In Hell offers more than 100 eye-fooling, 19th-century 3D images. And for those who love stereo photos and enjoy May the guitarist for Queen, Queen In 3D delivers as well.
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(#8) He Created The Soundtrack For An Early Marion Cotillard Film Based On A Julio Cortazar Story
The director Alexandre Aja is probably best known today for his 2006 remake of the Wes Craven horror film The Hills Have Eyes, but he crossed paths with the legendary Queen guitarist early in his career. His 1999 film Furia, an adaptation of the Argentine novelist Julio Cortazar’s short story “Graffiti,” features a soundtrack by May.
Though the film is mostly obscure now, May’s work is moody and undersung. Plus, it does feature a pre-English-language performance from Oscar winner Marion Cotillard.
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(#5) His Second Wife, Anita Dobson, Inspired 'I Want It All'
"I Want It All" is one of the band’s major late-period singles, but Freddie Mercury never got a chance to perform it live. Mercury passed away in 1991. Queen played the song one year later at the band's tribute concert to Mercury, with The Who’s frontman Roger Daltrey filling in on vocals.
May wrote the song as his marriage to Christine Mullen was disintegrating, inspired by a line regularly said by Anita Dobson, who became his second wife. It was one of the only tracks with settled lyrics before the band entered the studio in 1988 to record The Miracle.
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(#4) Queen Boasts Numerous Distinctions
Among its many rare achievements, Queen boasts an accomplishment even The Beatles didn't manage: each member wrote multiple chart-topping singles, landing them all in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Additionally, in 2005, the Guinness Book of World Records certified the band’s albums had spent more time on UK music charts than anyone else, beating out Michael Jackson, Madonna, and U2.
May, in particular, had a hand in writing more than 200 of the band's songs, including classics such as “Fat Bottomed Girls” and “We Will Rock You.”
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(#1) He Completed A Ph.D. In Astrophysics After Taking A 33-Year Break
Queen formed in 1970, while guitarist Brian May was still pursuing a degree in astrophysics at Imperial College London. As the band reached international fame, May put his research, which concerned zodiacal light, on hold to tour, write, and record music.
While zodiacal light is visible from Earth’s surface, its exact cause wasn't fully known when it caught May’s attention. Astronomers determined its origins - the phenomenon stems from sunlight reflecting off clustered space debris.
Fortunately, May’s particular area of interest was still viable when he returned to his studies to finish his thesis. He earned a Ph.D. in May 2007.
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(#10) His Astrophysics Background Has Been A Boon To Asteroid Research
Given his research area, it’s no surprise the paths of Brian May and asteroids have been on a collision course for some time. Shortly after receiving his doctorate, an asteroid discovered 10 years prior was renamed in his honor, and is today known as (52665) Brianmay.
May also helped initiate “Asteroid Day” in 2015, a UN-sanctioned annual awareness campaign that aims to boost global preparedness for asteroid impact through events and education.
Finally, in a marriage of two of his great passions, he recently released a stereo photo of Ryugu, an asteroid currently under close observation by a Japanese research team.
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Brian May is a famous British musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen, he is also one of the founders of Queen. The Queen has become one of the greatest rock bands in the world. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Queen member in 2001 and won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
He not only has great achievements in music, his life is full of legends, such as he built his own guitar when he was only 16 years old. This page randomly shows 14 fascinating life stories of Brian May, we know he is also a dedicated animal rights activist.
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