Early Life and Education of Brian May: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Brian May, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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

1946: Brian May's parents get married

In 1946, Brian May's Scottish mother, Ruth Irving (née Fletcher), married his English father, Harold May, at Moulin in Perthshire, Scotland.

July 1947: Brian May's Birth

On 19 July 1947, Brian Harold May was born at Gloucester House Nursing Home in Hampton Hill, near Twickenham, Middlesex.

Others born on this day/year

1958: Influence of Cliff Richard and the Shadows

Brian May's early musical influences included Cliff Richard and The Shadows, who he considered "the most metallic thing(s) out at the time".

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: PhD Studies at Imperial College

In 1970, Brian May began studying for a PhD degree at Imperial College London, focusing on reflected light from interplanetary dust and the velocity of dust in the plane of the Solar System.

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: Influence of Genesis' The Musical Box

In 1971, Brian May was influenced by Steve Hackett, guitarist of Genesis, particularly his harmony guitar solo at the end of the band's song "The Musical Box".

1972: Playing Steinway Piano

From 1972, Brian May occasionally played Freddie Mercury's 1972 Steinway piano, such as on "Save Me" and "Flash".

1973: Started collecting Les Diableries

In 1973, Brian May's purchase of his first card started May on a lifelong and worldwide search for Les Diableries, which are stereoscopic photographs depicting scenes of daily life in Hell.

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.

1976: Marriage to Christine Mullen

In 1976, Brian May married Christine Mullen.

1980: "Play the Game" Guitar

In 1980, Brian May used a Stratocaster copy on the video for "Play the Game".

1982: John Birch Guitar Smash

In 1982, Brian May smashed a Red Special replica made by John Birch during a concert in the US.

1986: Meeting Anita Dobson

In 1986, Brian May met actress Anita Dobson.

1986: "Princes of the Universe" Guitar

In 1986, Brian May used a Washburn RR2V guitar on the video for "Princes of the Universe".

1988: Separation from Christine Mullen

In 1988, Brian May separated from Christine Mullen.

1989: Queen for an Hour Interview

In 1989, during the Queen for an Hour interview on BBC Radio 1, Brian May listed Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Eric Clapton as his guitar heroes.

November 1991: Death of Freddie Mercury and Brian May's Response

In the aftermath of Freddie Mercury's death in November 1991, Brian May dealt with his grief by committing to work, including finishing his solo album, Back to the Light.

1991: Death of Freddie Mercury

In 1991, Freddie Mercury passed away, leading to a hiatus for Queen after the tribute concert in 1992.

1991: Guitar World Interview

In a 1991 interview for Guitar World magazine, Brian May referred to The Who as "my inspiration".

April 1998: Death of Cozy Powell and tour disruption

On 5 April 1998, Cozy Powell was killed in a car accident, causing a disruption to the upcoming Brian May Band tour.

November 2000: Marriage to Anita Dobson

On 18 November 2000, Brian May married Anita Dobson.

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: Guitarist Interview

In 2004, Brian May told Guitarist that "I don't think anyone has epitomised riff writing better than Jimmy Page – he's one of the great brains of rock music".

October 2006: Re-registering for Doctorate

In October 2006, Brian May re-registered for his doctorate at Imperial College London.

August 2007: Thesis Submission

In August 2007, Brian May submitted his thesis, "A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud," at Imperial College, one year earlier than estimated.

September 2007: Thesis Approval

In September 2007, Brian May's revised thesis was approved after a viva voce, some 37 years after it was commenced.

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.

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.

May 2008: Graduation Ceremony

On 14 May 2008, Brian May graduated at the awards ceremony of Imperial College, held in the Royal Albert Hall.

2008: May becomes Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University

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

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.

2010: Conservative Party Policies

In 2010, despite being a lifelong Conservative Party voter, Brian May stated that their policies on fox hunting and the culling of badgers meant he did not vote for them in the UK general election.

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.

July 2015: Criticism of David Cameron and Fox Hunting

In July 2015, Brian May criticised UK Prime Minister David Cameron for giving members of parliament a free vote on amending the ban on fox hunting. He described the Countryside Alliance as "a bunch of lying bastards".

2015: Considered Running as an Independent MP

In 2015, Brian May considered standing as an independent Member of Parliament and started a "Common Decency" project. He also endorsed the parliamentary candidacy of the Green Party's Caroline Lucas and Conservative Party candidate Henry Smith.

June 2017: Endorsement of Jeremy Corbyn

In June 2017, Brian May endorsed Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the 2017 general election.

October 2018: Criticism of Brexit and Theresa May

In October 2018, Brian May criticised Brexit as "the stupidest thing we ever tried to do" and said that Prime Minister Theresa May was "driven by vanity and thirst for power".

2019: The Sunday Times Rich List

According to The Sunday Times Rich List of 2019, Brian May is worth £160 million.

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: Criticism of Media and Election Endorsement

In 2019, Brian May criticised the media's conduct and found it "impossible" to vote for either Jeremy Corbyn or Boris Johnson in the United Kingdom general election. Following the Conservative victory, May urged followers to congratulate Johnson.

May 2020: Heart Attack and Stent Insertion

In May 2020, Brian May experienced a small heart attack that required the insertion of three stents into three blocked arteries.

2020: Veganuary challenge

In 2020, Brian May, became vegan after taking part in the Veganuary challenge and stated that meat eating is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Criticism of Boris Johnson's COVID-19 Response

In 2021, Brian May criticized Boris Johnson for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, calling it inadequate.

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 2024: Resignation from RSPCA Vice-Presidency

In September 2024, Brian May resigned his position as vice-president of the RSPCA after "damning evidence" emerged of animal welfare failings at RSPCA Assured farms.

September 2024: Suffered a Minor Stroke

In September 2024, Brian May revealed that he had suffered a minor stroke which rendered him temporarily without use of his left arm, though May noted he was still able to play guitar.