← Back to explore

Brian May

Acting

Born July 19, 1947 · Hampton, Middlesex, England, UK

Also known as Brian Harold May · Queen

Biography

Brian Harold May (born 19 July 1947) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and astrophysicist. He is the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen. He was the co-founder of Queen with lead singer Freddie Mercury and drummer Roger Taylor, having previously performed with Taylor in the band Smile, and bass player John Deacon. As a member of Queen, he became regarded as a virtuoso musician and he was identified with a distinctive sound created through his layered guitar work, often using a home-built electric guitar called the Red Special. He has a short cameo in Queen's biographical film Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).

Awards & recognition

  • Audience AwardMost Popular Show · 2011
  • Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
  • Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  • honorary doctor of the University of Exeter
  • honorary doctor of the University of Hertfordshire
Show all 8 awards →
  • Knight Bachelor
  • Order of the Badge of Honour
  • Order of the British Empire

Filmography39 titles

Queen Live at Wembley '86

1986as Guitars

Queen: Champions of the World

1995as Self

Queen: Days of Our Lives

2011as Self

The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody

2004as Self

Queen on Fire: Live at the Bowl

2004as Self (Vocals / Guitar)

We Will Rock You

1982as Self

Bohemian Rhapsody

2018Music Producer, Producer, Songs

The Strat Pack: Live in Concert

2005as Self

Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert

2022as Self

Queen: Rock Montreal & Live Aid

2007

Metallica: A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica

1992as Self

MTV Video Music Awards

as Self

Queen: Rock the World

2017as Self - Member Queen

Classic Albums

1997as Self

Zucchero Sugar Fornaciari

2023as Self

Buddy Holly: Rave On

2017as Self

The Ritchie Blackmore Story

2015as Self

Queen: From Rags to Rhapsody

2015as Self - Queen

Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender

2012as Self

Freddie Mercury: The King of Queen

2018as Self (archive footage)

Story Of Queen: Mercury Rising

2011as Self - Queen (uncredited)

Highlander

1986Songs

Live Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World

as Self

Liam Gallagher: As It Was

2019as Self

Freddie Mercury: The Final Act

2022as Self

Classic Albums: Queen - The Making of A Night at the Opera

2006as Self

Flash Gordon

1980Music

Dancing with the Stars

2005Thanks

Queen + Paul Rodgers: Return of the Champions

2005as Self - Guitar, Vocals

Great Performances

1971as Self

Newscast

as Self

Question Time

1979as Self - Panellist

Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration

2024as Self

Motörhead: 25 & Alive Boneshaker

2001as Self

Life After Flash

2019as Self

The Day We Walked on the Moon

2019as Self

American Idol

2002as Self

Bad Company | The Official Authorized 40th Anniversary Documentary

2014as Self

Freedom : La Story de George Michael

2016as Self (archive footage)