Career Timeline of Brian May: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Brian May made an impact.

Brian May is an English musician, songwriter, record producer, animal welfare activist, and astrophysicist. He is best known as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the rock band Queen, co-founding it with Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor. May's guitar skills and songwriting were integral to Queen's success, making them one of the most influential and popular bands of all time. Beyond music, he holds a PhD in astrophysics and is an advocate for animal rights.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1968: Formation of Smile

In 1968, Brian May formed the band Smile with Tim Staffell and later, Roger Taylor.

1968: May graduates from Imperial College London

In 1968, Brian May graduated with a BSc degree in physics with honours from Imperial College London.

1970: Using Sixpence as Plectrum

Brian May prefers to use coins, particularly a sixpence from the farewell proof set of 1970, instead of a traditional plastic plectrum, as he feels their rigidity provides more control when playing the guitar.

1970: Mercury joins to form Queen

In 1970, Freddie Mercury joined Brian May and Roger Taylor to form the rock band Queen.

1970: Smile disbands after Staffell's departure

In 1970, Smile disbanded after Tim Staffell's departure, leaving behind a catalogue of nine songs.

1971: Brian May's Unique Guitar Style

In 1971, Brian May already had a unique and recognizable guitar style with incredible finesse and fluidity, making his work instantly identifiable.

1971: Astrophysics Work Started

In 1971, Brian May started work that would eventually result in him earning a PhD degree in astrophysics from Imperial College London in 2007.

1971: John Deacon completes Queen's line-up

In 1971, John Deacon completed the line-up for Queen, cementing the band's formation.

1974: Abandoning Doctoral Studies

In 1974, Brian May abandoned his doctoral studies at Imperial College due to Queen's international success, though he co-authored two research papers based on his observations at the Teide Observatory in Tenerife.

1975: Red Special Replicas

From 1975 onwards, Brian May had several replicas made of the Red Special guitar for live and recording purposes.

1977: Greco BM90 Guitar

In 1977, the Greco BM90 Red Special replica was featured in the promo video of "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy".

1979: Use of Synthesisers

From 1979 onwards, Brian May also played synthesisers, organ, and programmed drum-machines for both Queen and outside projects.

1983: Star Fleet Project Recorded

In 1983, Brian May and Eddie Van Halen recorded the mini album "Star Fleet Project" in Los Angeles.

1984: Brian May forms his first band

Brian May formed his first band in 1984, named 1984 after George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, with vocalist and bassist Tim Staffell.

1984: Guild Guitars

From 1984 to 1993, Guild guitars were used as backup guitars for Brian May.

1984: Guild Red Special Replica

In 1984, Guild released the first official Red Special replica for mass production. However, Brian May was not happy with its solid-body construction and the non-replica DiMarzio pick-ups, leading to the production of only 300 guitars.

1985: Queen writes One Vision

After the Live Aid concert in 1985, Queen wrote the song "One Vision" together, with Brian May primarily contributing the music.

1985: Queen's Performance at Live Aid

In 1985, Queen gave an acclaimed performance at Live Aid, solidifying their status as one of the biggest rock bands in the world.

August 1986: Anita Dobson's single reaches number four on the UK Singles Chart

In August 1986, Anita Dobson's song "Anyone Can Fall in Love", which added lyrics to the EastEnders theme tune, reached number four on the UK Singles Chart. Brian May worked with actress Anita Dobson on her first album, most noted for the song "Anyone Can Fall in Love",

1986: Queen's Performances until 1986

From the mid-1970s until 1986, Queen played at some of the biggest venues in the world.

1988: May contributes guitar solos to Black Sabbath and Living in a Box

In 1988, Brian May contributed guitar solos to the song "When Death Calls" on Black Sabbath's 14th album Headless Cross, and the Living in a Box track "Blow The House Down" on the album Gatecrashing.

1989: Inspiration for "I Want It All"

In 1989, Anita Dobson inspired Brian May to write the hit song "I Want It All".

1989: Album Releases

In 1989, both Black Sabbath's Headless Cross and Living in a Box's Gatecrashing, featuring May's guitar solos, were released.

1989: The Miracle album Release

In 1989, for their album "The Miracle", all tracks were credited to the entire band, with May composing "I Want It All" and "Scandal".

October 1991: May participates in Guitar Legends festival

On 19 October 1991, Brian May took part in the Guitar Legends guitar festival in Seville, Spain, with a band including Cozy Powell, Mike Moran, and Rick Wakeman.

December 1992: Smile Reunion

On 22 December 1992, Smile reunited for several songs. Taylor's band The Cross were headliners, and he brought May and Staffell on to play "Earth" and "If I Were a Carpenter".

1992: Don't Fall Away from Me

In 1992, Hackett recorded "Don't Fall Away from Me", a song co-written by May and Hackett, for release on his The Unauthorised Biography compilation album.

1992: Work on Made in Heaven album begins

In 1992, work began on the album Made in Heaven by Deacon and May, but was left until a later date due to other commitments.

1992: Formation of The Brian May Band

In late 1992, The Brian May Band was officially formed.

February 1993: The Brian May Band world tour begins

On 23 February 1993, The Brian May Band began its world tour in the US, supporting Guns N' Roses.

June 1993: The Brian May Band releases Live at the Brixton Academy

On 15 June 1993, The Brian May Band did a show in London that would end up as The Brian May Band's only release as a collective, namely Live at the Brixton Academy.

December 1993: Brian May returns to the studio to work on the final Queen studio album

After the tour ended on 18 December 1993, May returned to the studio with fellow surviving Queen band members Roger Taylor and John Deacon to work on tracks that became Made in Heaven, the final Queen studio album.

1993: Guild Guitars

From 1984 to 1993, Guild guitars were used as backup guitars for Brian May.

1993: Guild's Second Red Special Replica

In 1993, Guild made a second replica of the Red Special, producing just 1000 copies, some of which Brian May owns and uses as back-ups.

1995: May begins working on a solo album of covers tentatively titled Heroes

In 1995, May began working on a new solo album of covers tentatively titled Heroes, in addition to working on various film and television projects and other collaborations.

1995: Release of 'Made in Heaven'

In 1995, Queen released 'Made in Heaven'.

1996: Co-Composing Il Colosso

In 1996, Brian May co-composed a mini-opera with Lee Holdridge, titled Il Colosso, for Steve Barron's film The Adventures of Pinocchio. May performed the opera with Jerry Hadley, Sissel Kyrkjebo, and Just William.

1997: Fryers Guitars

From 1997 to 1998, Fryers guitars were used both live and in the studio by Brian May.

1997: Queen releases tribute single to Mercury

In 1997, Queen released "No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)", a tribute single to Freddie Mercury written by Brian May.

1998: Fryers Guitars

From 1997 to 1998, Fryers guitars were used both live and in the studio by Brian May.

1998: Fryer's Restoration of the Old Lady

In 1998, Greg Fryer restored the Old Lady (Brian May's original Red Special) and created two guitars almost identical to the original, which May uses as back-ups.

2000: Switch to Fryer's Booster

In 2000, Brian May switched to Fryer's booster, which provides less boost than the TB-83, for his guitar tone.

2000: Feedback 86 album released

In 2000, Steve Hackett's album Feedback 86, featuring Brian May's guitar work on "Cassandra" and "Slot Machine", was commercially released.

2003: Guyton Guitars

From 2003 to present, Guyton guitars have been used as backup guitars for Brian May.

2003: "Badger Badger Badger" Cartoon Meme

In May 2013, Brian May teamed up with Brian Blessed, and Jonti "Weebl" Picking, and animal welfare groups to form Team Badger, a coalition to fight the planned cull of badgers. With Weebl and Blessed, May recorded a single, "Save the Badger Badger Badger"—a mashup of Weebl's viral 2003 Flash cartoon meme, "Badger Badger Badger", and Queen's "Flash", featuring vocals by Blessed.

2004: Building The Spade Guitar

Around 2004, Brian May gave the plans for a second guitar design, originally conceived during the Red Special's construction, to guitar luthier Andrew Guyton. Guyton modified the plans slightly and built the guitar, named "The Spade", which also became known as "The Guitar That Time Forgot".

2004: Queen + Paul Rodgers tour announcement

In 2004, Brian May and Roger Taylor announced they were going on tour for the first time in 18 years as "Queen", along with Paul Rodgers.

2004: Preserving the Hunting Act

In 2010, Brian May's animal welfare group's primary concern is to ensure that the Hunting Act 2004 and other laws protecting animals are retained in situ.

2005: May appointed CBE

In 2005, Brian May was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the music industry and for charity work.

2005: Queen + Paul Rodgers tour

Throughout 2005, "Queen + Paul Rodgers" played in South Africa, Europe, Aruba, and Japan.

November 2006: Collaboration with Cliff Richard

In November 2006, Brian May collaborated with Cliff Richard on a re-recording of the 1958 hit "Move It" for Richard's duets album, Two's Company, released on 6 November 2006.

2006: Queen + Paul Rodgers tour

Throughout 2006, "Queen + Paul Rodgers" played in North America.

October 2007: Visiting Researcher at Imperial College

In October 2007, Brian May was appointed a visiting researcher in Imperial College and continued his interest in astronomy and involvement with the Imperial Astrophysics Group.

November 2007: Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University

In November 2007, Brian May was appointed chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.

2007: May Earns PhD in Astrophysics

In 2007, Brian May earned a PhD degree in astrophysics from Imperial College London for work started in 1971.

2008: May becomes Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University

In 2008, Brian May became Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.

2008: Queen + Paul Rodgers release an album

In 2008, Queen + Paul Rodgers released a new album titled The Cosmos Rocks and supported it with a major tour.

May 2009: Paul Rodgers Leaves Queen

In May 2009, Paul Rodgers left the band Queen.

2009: Publication of 'A Village Lost and Found'

In 2009, Brian May, with co-author Elena Vidal, published his second book, A Village Lost and Found, on the work of English stereophotography innovator T. R. Williams.

A Village Lost and Found

Check it on Amazon

September 2010: BBC HARDtalk Interview

In September 2010, Brian May said in an interview with Stephen Sackur for BBC's HARDtalk that he would rather be remembered for his animal welfare work than for his music or scientific work.

October 2010: Award from IFAW

In October 2010, Brian May received an award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare in recognition of his animal welfare work.

2010: Formation of Save Me Organization

In 2010, Brian May formed the animal welfare organization Save Me, named after the Queen song. It campaigns for the protection of wild animals, especially preventing hunting of foxes and culling of badgers.

2011: Adam Lambert recruited as vocalist

In 2011, Adam Lambert was recruited as a vocalist for Queen.

March 2012: Contribution to Bow Group Paper

In March 2012, Brian May contributed the foreword to a Bow Group paper urging the government to reconsider its plans to cull badgers, stating that culling does not work.

2012: Land Purchase in Bere Regis

In 2012, Brian May bought land in Bere Regis, Dorset, that was threatened by building development.

2012: Awarded Saxby Medal

In 2012, Brian May was awarded The Royal Photographic Society's Saxby Medal for achievement in the field of three-dimensional imaging.

2012: Queen + Adam Lambert tour Europe

In 2012, Queen + Adam Lambert toured Europe.

January 2013: Guest on Stargazing Live

On 8 January 2013, Brian May was a guest on the first episode of the third series of the BBC's Stargazing Live.

May 2013: Formation of Team Badger

In May 2013, Brian May teamed up with Brian Blessed, Jonti "Weebl" Picking, and animal welfare groups to form Team Badger, a coalition to fight the planned cull of badgers.

June 2013: Formation of Artful Badger and Friends

In June 2013, naturalist Sir David Attenborough and rock guitarist Slash joined Brian May to form a supergroup, Artful Badger and Friends, and released a song dedicated to badgers, "Badger Swagger".

September 2013: "Save the Badger Badger Badger" Charts

On 1 September 2013, "Save the Badger Badger Badger" charted at No. 79 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 39 on the UK iTunes chart, and No. 1 on the iTunes Rock chart.

October 2013: Publication of Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures in Hell

On 10 October 2013, the book Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures in Hell by Brian May, Denis Pellerin and Paula Fleming was published.

Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures in Hell

Check it on Amazon

2013: Stepping down as Chancellor

Brian May held the post of chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University until 2013.

2013: Charity Collaboration with Jean-Pierre Danel

In 2013, Brian May joined French guitar player Jean-Pierre Danel for a charity Danel launched for the benefit of animal rights in France.

2013: May's Wood Creation

In 2013, with the support of local villagers, Brian May initiated a project to create an area of woodland called May's Wood (or "the Brian May Wood") in Bere Regis, Dorset.

June 2014: Contribution to Picasso Stereoscopic Photographs Book

Brian May made a technical contribution to the book accompanying the exhibition 'Stereoscopic Photographs of Pablo Picasso by Robert Mouzillat', held at the Holburne Museum in Bath, England, from February to June 2014. His 3D Owl viewer is used to view the photographs in 3D.

2014: Co-founding Asteroid Day

In 2014, Brian May co-founded Asteroid Day with Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, B612 Foundation COO Danica Remy, and German filmmaker Grigorij Richters.

2014: Queen + Adam Lambert World Tour

In 2014, Queen + Adam Lambert toured the world.

July 2015: Science Team Collaborator

On 17 July 2015, during the New Horizons Pluto flyby NASA press conference, Brian May was introduced as a science team collaborator.

2015: Queen + Adam Lambert World Tour

In 2015, Queen + Adam Lambert continued their world tour.

2016: Starmus Festival Performance

In 2016, Brian May was a guest at the Starmus Festival, where he performed on stage with composer Hans Zimmer.

2016: Queen + Adam Lambert Festival Tour

In 2016, Queen + Adam Lambert played the Festival Tour.

2017: Publication of Queen in 3-D

In 2017, Brian May published Queen in 3-D, chronicling the group's 50-year history. It contains over 300 of his own stereoscopic photos and is the first book about the band published by one of its members. Included with the book is May's patented OWL Stereoscopic Viewer.

Queen in 3-D: Bohemian Rhapsody Edition: 2019

Check it on Amazon

December 2018: New Horizons Kuiper Belt Object Flyby Watch Party

From 31 December 2018 until 1 January 2019, Brian May attended the watch party for the New Horizons flyby of the Kuiper belt object, 486958 Arrokoth.

2018: Portrayal in Bohemian Rhapsody

In 2018, Brian May was portrayed by Gwilym Lee in the biographical film Bohemian Rhapsody. May himself served as a creative and musical consultant for the film.

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January 2019: New Horizons Kuiper Belt Object Flyby Watch Party

From 31 December 2018 until 1 January 2019, Brian May attended the watch party for the New Horizons flyby of the Kuiper belt object, 486958 Arrokoth, and performed an updated version of his "New Horizons" celebratory song.

2019: Advocacy Against Henoko Bay Landfill

In 2019, Brian May advocated voting in opposition to the landfill work at Henoko Bay for the expansion of the base in Okinawa, Japan.

2019: Lawrence J. Burpee Medal

In 2019, Brian May was awarded the Lawrence J. Burpee Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society for outstanding contributions to the advancement of geography.

2020: Contribution to Asteroid Research and JAXA Award

In 2020, Brian May participated in the team that contributed stereography images of numerical simulations of asteroid disruptions and re-accumulations, published in Nature Communications. The publication presented a scenario of formation of the asteroids (101955) Bennu and (162173) Ryugu. For his contribution by making stereoscopic images of Ryugu, May was awarded the JAXA Hayabusa2 Honor Award in 2020.

2021: Contribution to Double Asteroid Research

In 2021, Brian May contributed the stereography images of the structural stability of double asteroid (65803) Didymos, the target of the NASA DART and ESA Hera missions, in a publication in the peer-reviewed journal Icarus. He is also on the advisory board of the NEO-MAPP project (Near-Earth-Object Modelling and Payloads for Protection).

2021: Honorary Fellowships from Royal Holloway College

In 2021, Brian May was awarded an honorary fellowship and Denis Pellerin was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Literature from the Royal Holloway College, University of London for their work to preserve Victorian stereoscopy through the London Stereoscopic Company.

June 2022: Queen + Adam Lambert at Platinum Party at the Palace

On 4 June 2022, Queen + Adam Lambert opened the Platinum Party at the Palace outside Buckingham Palace to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II. During their three-song set, Brian May appeared in front of the Victoria Memorial monument as they opened with "We Will Rock You", which was introduced in a comedy segment where the Queen and Paddington Bear tapped their tea cups to the beat of the song.

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September 2022: Awarded Stephen Hawking Medal

In September 2022, Brian May was awarded the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication at the Starmus IV festival in Yerevan, Armenia.

December 2022: Made a Knight Bachelor

In December 2022, Brian May was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2023 New Year Honours.

March 2023: Officially Knighted

In March 2023, Brian May was officially knighted by the King.

2023: May contributes to NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission and knighted

In 2023, Brian May contributed to NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission and was knighted by King Charles III in the New Year Honours for services to music and charity.

2024: Brian May: The Badgers, the Farmers and Me Documentary

In 2024, Brian May released Brian May: The Badgers, the Farmers and Me, a documentary exploring the necessity of badger culling for bovine TB prevention. It was the culmination of a four-year investigation.