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Sir Brian May: The Ultimate Guide to Queen’s Cosmic Guitar Legend
Sir Brian May is a true Renaissance man. Known globally as the lead guitarist for Queen, he is also a PhD-holding astrophysicist, a dedicated animal rights activist, and a Knight of the Realm. His signature sound—a blend of orchestral guitar layering and celestial melodies—changed the landscape of rock music forever.
The Red Special: A Guitar Born from a Fireplace
While other rock stars were buying Fenders and Gibsons, Brian May and his father, Harold, were busy building their own instrument in a home workshop. Started in 1963, the Red Special (also known as “The Fireplace”) took two years to complete. Its components are the stuff of legend:
- The Neck: Carved from an 18th-century mahogany fireplace mantel.
- The Body: Made from oak, blockboard, and a mahogany veneer.
- The Tremolo: Built using a motorcycle valve spring and a kitchen knife edge.
Paired with a vintage sixpence coin used as a pick, the Red Special produces a “chime” that no other guitar can replicate. This setup allowed Brian to create the famous “guitar choirs” heard on tracks like Killer Queen.
The Queen Era: From Smile to Live Aid
Before Queen, there was Smile. Brian formed the band with drummer Roger Taylor and singer Tim Staffell. When Staffell left, his friend Farrokh Bulsara (Freddie Mercury) convinced them to continue and rebranded the group as Queen. With the addition of bassist John Deacon, the “Fab Four” of rock was complete.
May’s songwriting was pivotal to Queen’s success. He penned massive hits including “We Will Rock You,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “Tie Your Mother Down,” and “The Show Must Go On.” His ability to blend heavy rock riffs with operatic arrangements reached its peak during the 1985 Live Aid performance, often cited as the greatest live set in history.
Technical Brilliance: The “Innuendo” Solo
We consider the solo in “Innuendo” to be one of May’s finest moments. It is a technical masterpiece that bridges the gap between Spanish flamenco influences (featuring Steve Howe) and May’s explosive electric power. It showcases his mastery of bending, vibrato, and harmonic control at a time when the band was facing Freddie Mercury’s declining health.
The Doctor of the Stars: A Scientific Legacy
Most fans know him as a rock star, but academia knows him as Dr. Brian May. He abandoned his PhD studies in the 1970s when Queen’s fame skyrocketed, but his passion for the cosmos never faded. In 2007, he returned to Imperial College London to complete his thesis on Zodiacal Dust.
His scientific contributions are significant:
- Collaborated with NASA’s New Horizons team during the Pluto flyby.
- Co-founder of Asteroid Day to raise awareness about asteroid impacts.
- Worked on the OSIRIS-REx mission to analyze samples from the asteroid Bennu.
Activism and Later Career
Following Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991, May pursued a solo career with albums like Back to the Light and Another World. In recent years, he has successfully toured the world with Queen + Adam Lambert, keeping the band’s legacy alive for new generations.
Beyond music, his Save Me Trust works tirelessly for animal welfare, specifically campaigning against the culling of badgers and fox hunting in the UK. This dedication to “the voiceless” earned him a Knighthood in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Brian May use a sixpence?
The sixpence coin is made of a soft metal that doesn’t damage the strings like steel would, but provides a rigid, metallic “scrape” that plastic picks lack. It gives him total control over the harmonics of the guitar.
Who built the Red Special?
Brian May and his father, Harold May, built the guitar together over 18 months in their home workshop. It was designed to be an instrument that could “speak” and create feedback in a musical way.
Is Brian May still touring?
Yes, Brian May and Roger Taylor continue to tour under the name Queen
