# Brian May

> British musician (born 1947)

**Wikidata**: [Q15873](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15873)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_May)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/brian-may

## Summary
Brian May is a British musician born in 1947, best known as the guitarist, lyricist, and composer for the rock band Queen. He is also a renowned astrophysicist and has made significant contributions to both music and science.

## Biography
- Born: July 19, 1947, England
- Nationality: British
- Education: Studied at the University of London and Imperial College London
- Known for: Co-founding Queen, pioneering astrophysics research, and composing iconic rock music
- Employer(s): Queen, Imperial College London, University of London
- Field(s): Music, Astrophysics, Physics

## Contributions
- **Music**: Wrote and composed numerous songs for Queen, including "We Will Rock You," "Who Wants to Live Forever," and "The Show Must Go On." His guitar work and compositions have defined the band's sound.
- **Astrophysics**: Conducted research in astrophysics, contributing to scientific publications and advancing knowledge in the field.
- **Science Communication**: Presented scientific concepts to the public through television and other media, making complex astrophysical ideas accessible.

## FAQs
**What instruments does Brian May play?**
Brian May is primarily known as a guitarist, but he also plays the piano and has contributed to Queen's music as a lyricist and composer.

**What is Brian May's connection to Queen?**
Brian May co-founded Queen in 1970 and has been a key member, contributing to their music, compositions, and live performances.

**Has Brian May received any awards for his work?**
Yes, Brian May has received awards such as the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the Order of the Badge of Honour, and the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

**What is Brian May's educational background?**
Brian May studied at the University of London and Imperial College London, where he pursued degrees in physics and astrophysics.

**How has Brian May contributed to astrophysics?**
Brian May has conducted research in astrophysics, published scientific work, and presented scientific concepts to the public, making significant contributions to the field.

## Why They Matter
Brian May's work in both music and astrophysics has had a profound impact on popular culture and scientific understanding. As a musician, he has shaped the sound of rock music with Queen, influencing generations of musicians. As an astrophysicist, his research has advanced scientific knowledge and inspired public interest in space and physics. His ability to bridge these two fields has made him a unique and influential figure in both entertainment and science.

## Notable For
- Co-founder of the rock band Queen
- Composer and lyricist for iconic songs like "We Will Rock You" and "Bohemian Rhapsody"
- Astrophysicist with research contributions to the field
- Recipient of prestigious awards, including the Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Known for his innovative guitar techniques and scientific presentations

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Brian Harold May was born on July 19, 1947, in England. He attended the University of London and Imperial College London, where he studied physics and astrophysics. His educational background laid the foundation for his work in both music and science.

### Musical Career
Brian May co-founded the rock band Queen in 1970. As the band's guitarist, lyricist, and composer, he contributed to their signature sound and wrote many of their most famous songs, including "We Will Rock You," "Who Wants to Live Forever," and "The Show Must Go On." His guitar work and compositions have been influential in the rock music genre.

### Astrophysics Research
In addition to his musical career, Brian May has conducted research in astrophysics. He has published scientific work and presented scientific concepts to the public, making complex astrophysical ideas accessible. His contributions to the field have advanced scientific understanding and inspired public interest in space and physics.

### Awards and Recognition
Brian May has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the Order of the Badge of Honour, and the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. These awards recognize his significant contributions to both music and science.

### Legacy and Influence
Brian May's work in both music and astrophysics has had a lasting impact on popular culture and scientific understanding. As a musician, he has shaped the sound of rock music with Queen, influencing generations of musicians. As an astrophysicist, his research has advanced scientific knowledge and inspired public interest in space and physics. His ability to bridge these two fields has made him a unique and influential figure in both entertainment and science.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. MusicBrainz
3. filmportal.de
4. BnF authorities
5. [Brian May: 9 interesting facts about the Queen guitarist. 2019](https://www.smoothradio.com/features/brian-may-facts-wife-age-songs/)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Babelio
8. CONOR.SI
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. Discogs
11. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
12. [Source](http://www.indiepedia.de/index.php?title=Queen)
13. YouTube video
14. Mathematics Genealogy Project
15. International Standard Name Identifier
16. datos.bne.es
17. Libraries Australia Authorities
18. CiNii Research
19. Trove
20. [May, Brian (1947-....)](https://www.idref.fr/118780417#editzone)
21. Internet Broadway Database
22. Library of Congress Authorities
23. GeneaStar
24. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
25. Open Library
26. [Source](https://blog.scopus.com/posts/meet-the-scopus-celebrities)
27. IdRef
28. [Brian May backs widespread veganism after coronavirus crisis: “Eating animals has brought us to our knees”. NME. 2020](https://www.nme.com/news/music/brian-may-backs-widespread-veganism-after-coronavirus-eating-animals-has-brought-us-to-our-knees-2646320)
29. [Source](https://www.happycow.net/vegtopics/famous/brian_may)
30. [Source](https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/9358767/brian-may-veganism)
31. BBC Things
32. [Source](http://iswcnet.cisac.org/)
33. ISWC Network
34. Record Collector
35. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
36. [Brian May (Author of Bang!) | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/337305.Brian_May?from_search=true&from_srp=true)
37. Quora
38. [Amazon.co.uk: Brian May: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brian-May/e/B07F9TNVCF?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_5&qid=1668546466&sr=1-5)
39. YouTube API
40. Brian Harold May on Instagram: "Long live the Dead Tree ! And from today I am BACK on Twitter. After all the nonsense …. Let’s Tweet again !!! Bri". Instagram
41. The Movie Database