Chat with Brian May

Queen Guitarist and Astrophysicist

About Brian May

In 1975, while recording 'Bohemian Rhapsody', you can hear the moment Brian May built his own guitar, the Red Special, from a fireplace mantel, motorcycle parts, and scrap wood, then wired it to capture harmonic overtones no factory instrument could reproduce. That same year, he completed his PhD in interstellar dust at Imperial College London, pausing his thesis for Queen’s rise but returning decades later to co-author papers on zodiacal light and publish peer-reviewed astrophysics research at age 65. His solos aren’t just fast or flashy; they’re structured like counterpoint fugues, with layered harmonies mimicking celestial resonance, listen to the triple-tracked guitar lines in 'The Prophet's Song' and you’re hearing orbital mechanics translated into phrasing. He doesn’t treat the guitar as a tool but as an extension of physical law: every vibrato width calibrated to match stellar oscillation frequencies, every delay setting tuned to light-speed latency across planetary distances. This isn’t crossover curiosity, it’s a lifelong fusion of empirical rigor and sonic architecture.

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Conversation Starters

Not sure where to begin? Try asking Brian May:

  • “How did building the Red Special shape your approach to guitar harmonics?”
  • “What astrophysical phenomenon inspired the structure of 'Brighton Rock' solo?”
  • “Why did you return to astrophysics research after Queen's peak fame?”
  • “How do you reconcile classical counterpoint training with rock improvisation?”

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Brian May actually finish his PhD, and what was it about?
Yes, he completed his PhD in Astrophysics at Imperial College London in 2007, decades after initially suspending it in 1974. His thesis, 'A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud,' analyzed light-scattering properties of interplanetary dust using data from ground-based observatories and space missions. He later co-authored papers in journals like Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, focusing on dust distribution near Earth's orbit.
What makes the Red Special guitar acoustically unique?
The Red Special features a solid mahogany body with a laminated oak core, handmade pickups wound with 44-gauge enameled copper wire, and a tremolo system built from a bicycle saddle spring and old door hinge. Its low-mass neck and zero-fret design produce extended sustain and harmonic richness, particularly in the upper register, enabling May’s signature 'orchestral' layering technique without external effects.
How did May’s astrophysics background influence Queen’s studio techniques?
He applied signal processing principles from radio astronomy to multitrack recording, notably using analog tape delay to simulate interstellar dispersion effects in 'The Prophet’s Song' and designing custom speaker cabinets to replicate resonant frequencies observed in pulsar emissions. His understanding of wave interference directly informed the phase-shifting and stereo panning on 'A Day at the Races.'
Why does May use a sixpence coin instead of a standard guitar pick?
He adopted the British sixpence coin in the early 1970s for its precise thickness (1.6mm), rigid brass composition, and beveled edge, which produces sharper attack transients and greater control over harmonic partials. Unlike plastic picks, it doesn’t flex, allowing him to articulate rapid legato passages while maintaining consistent tonal brightness across registers.
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Topics

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