Brian is world renowned as Queen's lead guitarist, using the guitar he built from an old fireplace with his father whilst still at school, and is one of the world's most successful songwriters and producers. His songwriting credits include 'Now I'm Here', 'Tie Your Mother Down', 'We Will Rock You', 'Fat Bottomed Girls', 'Flash', 'Hammer To Fall' and 'Who Wants To Live Forever', and to date has written 22 top 20 hits worldwide. He has also collaborated with many other artists, including Cliff Richard, Meat Loaf, Diana Ross, Paul McCartney and Robbie Williams.
Brian formed his first band in 1964, titled '1984'. They split up in 1968, and several months later he formed 'Smile' with Roger Taylor and Tim Staffell. They lasted for two years before splitting up, when Tim left and Freddie Mercury joined to form 'Queen'. John Deacon was added as bassist in 1971 and the group was born. Brian spent the next 12 years recording and touring the world.
In 1983, Brian went into the studios with four friends for a simple jamming session, and the result was released as a mini-album titled 'Starfleet Project'. The album featured a 15 minute jam titled 'Bluesbreaker' which was dedicated to Brian's hero, Eric Clapton. One track, released as an edited single, was based on the theme tune to a children's TV programme called 'Starfleet'. Brian had written the third track, 'Let Me Out', years earlier, intended for a Queen album. The next 3 years saw extensive touring with Queen, followed by 5 years work on his next solo album and Queen's 'The Miracle', during which time he started seeing EastEnder's actress, Anita Dobson, after working together on her album 'Talking Of Love'.
In 1991, Brian was one of the leading creative forces behind the Comic Relief single 'The Stonk' by Hale & Pace. Brian produced the track, plays guitar and keyboards, and the track also features Roger Taylor and a wealth of Brian's future collaborators. The single went straight to no 1, making it one of three number one's which Brian appeared on in the year.
1992 saw the release of Brian's first proper solo album, 'Back To The Light'. Two singles, 'Driven By You' and 'Too Much Love Will Kill You', gave him his first solo hit singles. Extensive tours of the UK, Europe and US followed with the newly formed 'Brian May Band', with 'Live At The Brixton Academy' being released as a live album and video in 1994.
In the following two years, Brian devoted his time to the completion of Queen's last studio album, 'Made In Heaven', and two solo soundtrack projects, 'The Amazing Spider-Man' and 'Pinocchio'.
1998 saw the release of 'Another World', Brian's most recent studio album. Shortly before the release, Brian's great friend and collaborator Cozy Powell was tragically killed in a car accident. Cozy had worked with Brian on both his studio albums and live concerts. The first single from 'Another World', 'The Business', was released as a tribute to his memory. Extensive touring throughout Europe and Asia followed in the latter half of 1998.
Between 1999 and 2001, Brian made a few live performances, married long term partner Anita Dobson on 18 November 2000, and did several Queen reworkings, including collaborations with Five and Robbie Williams. Brian also appeared on the Robbie Williams track 'Eternity', which reached no. 1 in the chart, making it the eighth no. 1 that Brian has played on. Brian then produced a 41 track double CD, 'The Best Air Guitar Album In The World', featuring two Queen tracks.
Brian also worked extensively with Roger and Ben Elton on the 'We Will Rock You' musical, and the 'Heaven' laser show. He has also found time to write the theme tune to two TV programmes, 'The Stretch' and 'Fun At The Funeral Parlour', and to produce the theme music for the 2002 Winter Olympics with conductor Michael Kamen, a mini-opera called 'The Fire Within'.
In September 2002, Brian joined presenter Sue Lawley as the first guest for the new series of Radio Four's 'Desert Island Discs', discussing his life and career and selecting 8 records to take with him, alongside a book and an object. His book was 'Out Of The Silent Planet' by C.S Lewis and his object, naturally, was his Red Special guitar. In June 2005, Brian was awarded the C.B.E for services to the music industry and charity, which he collected from the Queen on 6 December 2005.
