Biography
Few rock guitarists have a very playing design as instantly recognizable as Queen’s Brian Might. Along with his orchestrated acoustic guitar armies (multi-tracked acoustic guitar lines overdubbed together with one another) and immediately unforgettable, well-constructed melodic qualified prospects, May is within a class simply by himself. Created in Hampton, Middlesex, in July 1947, Might showed a pastime in music at an extremely early age group — understanding how to play the ukulele and piano before getting his first acoustic guitar as a present-day on his seventh birthday. Soon thereafter, May and his dad began to create a custom made acoustic guitar from scuff. Completed 2 yrs later on, the one-of-a-kind device would become referred to as the Crimson Special, a acoustic guitar that would later on become May’s sonic and visible brand throughout his profession. It wasn’t lengthy until May started to grab something or two from such well-known rock guitarists because the Shadows’ Hank Marvin, Elvis Presley’s sideman Scotty Moore, and Friend Holly. As students at secondary college, May shaped his 1st group, the instrumental music group 1984, experimenting London and also starting a 1967 display in the Olympia Theater for such soon-to-be big brands as Jimi Hendrix, Visitors, Green Floyd, and Tyrannosaurus Rex (afterwards T. Rex). After starting research at Imperial University (within the physics/infrared astronomy field) and developing weary of the musical direction, Might left 1984 within the springtime of 1968. During his university career, May installed with drummer Roger Taylor (via an advertisement positioned on a university noteboard) along with a fellow ex girlfriend or boyfriend-1984 member, bassist/vocalist Tim Staffell, developing the rock and roll trio Smile. Soon after graduating from university with an honors level in physics and mathematics, May concentrated full-time on music when Smile agreed upon to Mercury Information. Despite great guarantee, Smile only were able to issue a unitary (entitled “Globe”) and some unreleased paths before Staffell remaining the group. Nonetheless it was a pal of Staffell’s who offer his solutions because the group’s fresh vocalist — Freddie Mercury. Using the lineup modify came a fresh name, Queen, and a fresh musical path — heavy rock and roll blended with grand ballads along with a flamboyantly glam appear. After going right through several bassists, Queen discovered a long term member in John Deacon — producing a documenting agreement with EMI/Elektra along with a self-titled debut pursuing in 1973. With each successive launch (1974’s Queen II and Sheer CORONARY ATTACK), Queen’s musical path and stage display grew more powerful and popular, until these were among the world’s biggest works by the middle- to past due ’70s, because of such mega-hit albums as Evening on the Opera, A Trip to the Races, Information of the Globe, and Jazz. Unlike various other groups in which a one member supplied all of the songwriting, all of Queen’s associates had their very own songwriting credits similarly, with May composing a number of the group’s most identifiable strikes — “WE ARE GOING TO Rock and roll You,” “Unwanted fat Bottomed Young ladies,” “NOW I AM Right here,” and “Connect Your Mom Down,” amongst others. During a brief break in 1983, May released his first single discharge, the four-track EP Superstar Fleet Task (which highlighted an all-star ensemble support him — Eddie Truck Halen, REO Speedwagon drummer Alan Gratzer, and program bassist Phil Chen), and co-produced the debut documenting in the obscure rock outfit Large Pettin, entitled Lettin Loose. Around once, a precise duplicate of May’s Crimson Special acoustic guitar was released to the general public via the Guild acoustic guitar company, and could documented a video acoustic guitar lesson within the Celebrity Licks series. Queen would continue issuing strike albums and sold-out trips throughout the past due ’80s (because they experimented with an array of musical designs), until they truly became exclusively a “studio room band” throughout their old age, 1989’s The Wonder and 1991’s Innuendo (the reason behind this was held under wraps at that time, but it later on became known that it had been due to wellness factors — Mercury was identified as having Helps). With Mercury’s loss of life in 1991, Queen proceeded to go their separate methods, with May concentrating on a single career as well as other tasks (including hosting and playing in a 1991 Electric guitar Legends concert alongside Steve Vai and Joe Satriani). May’s initial full-length single album was preceded with the one “Powered by You,” which reached the very best Ten in Britain and was highlighted within a Ford car industrial — earning an Ivor Novello Prize for Greatest Theme from a Television/Radio Industrial. 1993 finally noticed the discharge of Back again to the Light, an record which was a sizeable strike in European countries, and resulted in May’s first solo tour (including associates Cozy Powell on drums, Neil Murray on bass, longtime Queen sideman Spike Edney on keyboards, Jamie Moses on electric guitar, plus support vocalists Shelley Preston and Cathy Porter). A calendar year later on, a live record from the tour, Live in the Brixton Academy, was released, mixing fresh single materials with Queen classics. It wasn’t until 1998 that could would issue an effective studio room follow-up, Another Globe. Furthermore to rock and roll music, May maintained his fascination with astronomy, and in 2006 he came back to his research in astrophysics, completing his doctoral thesis and making his PhD from Imperial University London in 2007. Could also has a enthusiastic fascination with 3-D pictures, and had written a A Town Lost and Found out, a report of T.R. Williams, a popular stereo photographer from the 1850s, and a publication on French Diableries. May in addition has tried his hands at penning primary music for films (the 1996 edition from the Travels of Pinocchio) along with a radio series (a BBC radio particular over the Amazing Spiderman), in addition to documenting the soundtrack for the Crimson and Gold Theater Company’s creation of Macbeth, that was staged at London’s Riverside Theater in the past due ’90s. In 2017 Might collaborated with Kerry Ellis for the very first time since their 2013 record Acoustic by Candlelight. Golden Times was an record of first compositions and cover variations, including a undertake Gary Moore’s “Parisienne Methods.” May’s contribution to rock and roll electric guitar continues to be great as his playing provides shown to be a huge impact on various other renowned rock and roll guitarists previous and present, including Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Ty Tabor (King’s X), Nuno Bettencourt (Intense), and Phil Collen (Def Leppard), to mention but several.
Quick Facts
- Facts
- Filmography
- Awards
- Salaries
- Quotes
- Trademarks
- Pictures
# | Fact |
---|---|
1 | Met his second wife at a preview screening of Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986). |
2 | He has an Erdös-Bacon-Sabbath number of 9, which ties him with Carl Sagan and is among the lowest on the planet. |
3 | Embarked on a world tour with Roger Taylor and 'Paul Rodgers (IV)' (as Queen + Paul Rodgers), including stops at the Meadowlands Arena and the Hollywood Bowl (marking the first time Queen has played in the U.S. since 1982). [March 2005] |
4 | Installed as the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, replacing Cherie Blair, QC (wife of ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair). [April 2008] |
5 | Queen + 'Paul Rodgers (IV)' led a surprise North American tour, starting on 3 March in Miami, FL, and ending 13 April in Vancouver, BC. This was the first tour Queen had taken in North America since the death of Freddie Mercury. [March 2006] |
6 | Apart from writing the classic Queen songs We Will Rock You, Flash, Hammer To Fall and The Show Must Go On, Brian also has a PhD in astrophysics and even has an asteroid named after him. He campaigns as an activist for animal protection. Furthermore, he recently did a five-year stint as the chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University. |
7 | Shouldn't be confused with Australian composer Brian May. |
8 | Queen was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6356 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. |
9 | Is a vegetarian and a non-smoker. |
10 | Is the only person to guest feature on a Black Sabbath song, "When Death Calls", on The 1987 Album "Headless Cross". |
11 | Very close friends with Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. |
12 | Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University. |
13 | Enjoys the music of younger bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters and Muse. |
14 | Has a guitar solo in the song "Bad For Good" on the Meat Loaf album "Bat out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose". |
15 | After more than 30 years lapsed since first starting doctoral studies, he earned his doctorate from Imperial College London in astrophysics after a successful thesis defense on August 23, 2007. The thesis is entitled, "Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud". |
16 | Attended the Genesis concert at Twickenham Stadium on 8th July 2007. |
17 | Submitted Astronomy Ph.D. dissertation for review and approval mid-2007. Upon approval, Ph.D. will be given May 2008. |
18 | Penned the hits Keep Yourself Alive, Thirty-Nine, Tie Your Mother Down, and Fat Bottomed Girls. |
19 | Resumed pursuit of PhD in Astronomy, updating research and data re: presentation of dissertation on motion of interstellar dust. |
20 | Queen were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [November 2004] |
21 | Queen won the 2005 Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection. |
22 | His trademark Red Special guitar was constructed essentially from old junk. Among the components that make up the guitar are motorcycle valve springs, a knitting needle, mother-of-pearl buttons, and a discarded fireplace mantle. |
23 | Shares a birthday with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Grateful Dead keyboardist Keith Godchaux and Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon. |
24 | He was awarded the C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to music. |
25 | He used to teach Mathematics at Stockwell Park Secondary School, in Stockwell, South West London. |
26 | Two of his riffs were voted into the Total Guitar Magazine poll of the 100 greatest riffs; "Tie Your Mother Down" was 84 and "One Vision" was 60 on the list. [June 2004] |
27 | Opened the Queen's Jubilee concert by playing "God Save The Queen" from the top of Buckingham Palace (2002). |
28 | As a member of Rock Against Repatriation, Brian collaborated with fellow star guitarists Steve Hackett (formerly of Genesis), Mike Rutherford (also of Genesis), Phil Manzanera (of Roxy Music), Steve Rothery (of Marillion) and many other rock stars for the charity single "Sailing". [1990] |
29 | Brian made a guest appearance playing with rock band Marillion at the Mungersdorfer Stadion, Cologne, West Germany. [July 1986] |
30 | He has performed with the SAS (Spike Edney's All Stars) Band. |
31 | Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 (as a member of Queen). |
32 | Attended Imperial College, London University where he completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in physics and mathematics. Commenced a Doctorate in astronomy, but dropped out to join Queen. |
33 | After much experimentation, he found the best guitar sound came from using an old English sixpence coin as a pick. These coins went out of circulation in the early 70s, and in 1992 he had the Royal Mint make up some more with his likeness on them. |
34 | Brian May and his ex-wife Chrissie have 3 children: James (aka Jimmy), born in 1978 Louisa, born in 1981 Emily, born in 1987 |
35 | Left his wife Chrissie for British soap-actress star Anita Dobson. |
36 | Guitarist with the rock group Queen. |
Soundtrack
Soundtrack
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Lorraine | 2016 | TV Series performer - 1 episode | |
Trolls | 2016 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
Who's Doing the Dishes? | 2016 | TV Series writer - 4 episodes | |
Gintberg på kanten | 2016 | TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode | |
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | 2015-2016 | TV Series writer - 4 episodes | |
Britain's Got More Talent | 2016 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows | 2016 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
Aquarius | 2016 | writer: "Fat Bottomed Girls" | |
The Americans | 2016 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
International Test Series 2015 | 2015 | TV Mini-Series writer - 1 episode | |
The Big Bang Theory | TV Series music - 1 episode, 2015 writer - 1 episode, 2011 | ||
Oh Happy Day | 2015 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Sedwitz | 2015 | TV Mini-Series writer - 1 episode | |
Deutschland 83 | 2015 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
The Voice | 2015 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Pixels | 2015 | writer: "We Will Rock You VonLichten" | |
Dolezal Backstage | TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2015 writer - 1 episode, 2015 | ||
Under Pressure: Danika Fields' Swell | 2015 | Short writer: "Under Pressure" - as Brian Harold May | |
The Late Late Show with James Corden | 2015 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Ochéntame... otra vez | 2015 | TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode | |
Todd's Pop Song Reviews | 2014-2015 | TV Series documentary writer - 3 episodes | |
The Comeback | TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2014 writer - 1 episode, 2014 | ||
The Nation's Favourite Queen Song | 2014 | TV Movie documentary lyrics: "I Want It All", "One Vision", "The Show Must Go On", "Who Wants to Live Forever", "These Are the Days of Our Lives", "Under Pressure", "We Will Rock You", "Flash", "The Miracle" | |
One Night in Hell | 2014 | Short performer: "1812 Overture", "We Will Rock You" / writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
One Hit Wonderland | 2012-2014 | TV Series documentary writer - 5 episodes | |
Mike & Mike | 2014 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
Heaven Is for Real | 2014 | writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Independent Lens | 2014 | TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode | |
Dancing on Ice | TV Series performer - 3 episodes, 2014 writer - 2 episodes, 2014 | ||
Tu cara me suena | 2014 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Eastbound & Down | 2013 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Atop the Fourth Wall | 2013 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
The X Factor | TV Series writer - 3 episodes, 2009 - 2013 performer - 1 episode, 2009 | ||
Eyjafjallajökull | 2013 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Svédská trojka | 2013 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Abridged Series | 2013 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Despicable Me 2 | 2013 | writer: "I Want It All" - uncredited | |
Smash | 2013 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Glee | 2011-2013 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
Dancing with the Stars | 2009-2013 | TV Series writer - 5 episodes | |
Saturday Night Live | 2013 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Teen Mom 2 | 2012 | TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode | |
Doremix | 2012 | TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode | |
London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music | 2012 | TV Movie performer: "We Will Rock You" - uncredited / writer: "We Will Rock You" - uncredited | |
June Brown: Respect Your Elders | 2012 | TV Movie documentary writer: "We Will Rock You" - uncredited | |
Ted | 2012 | writer: "Flash's Theme", "The Hero" | |
Rage | 2012 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
That's My Boy | 2012 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
Australia's Got Talent | 2012 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
American Idol | TV Series performer - 3 episodes, 2009 - 2012 writer - 1 episode, 2012 | ||
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | 2009-2012 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
Kinect Sports: Season Two | 2011 | Video Game writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
La nouvelle Blanche-Neige | 2011 | TV Movie writer: "We will rock you" - as Brian Harold May | |
Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs | 2011 | TV Movie documentary writer: "Thank God It's Christmas" | |
Em dónes vida. El llibre i el disc de La Marató | 2011 | TV Movie documentary writer: "No tinguis por" | |
Happy Feet Two | 2011 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Raising Hope | 2011 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
From the Sky Down | 2011 | Documentary writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Real Steel | 2011 | writer: "'Till I Collapse" | |
So You Think You Can Dance Canada | 2010-2011 | TV Series writer - 3 episodes | |
Madden NFL 12 | 2011 | Video Game writer: "I Want It All"/"We Will Rock You" | |
Glee: The 3D Concert Movie | 2011 | Documentary writer: "Fat Bottomed Girls" - as Brian Harold May | |
Mr. Popper's Penguins | 2011 | writer: "ICE ICE BABY" | |
So You Think You Can Dance | 2007-2011 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
The Voice | 2011 | TV Series writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Fern | 2011 | TV Series performer - 1 episode | |
Sucker Punch | 2011 | writer: "I WANT IT ALL/WE WILL ROCK YOU MASH-UP" - as Brian Harold May | |
Tosh.0 | 2011 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Show Jana Krause | 2010 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
The Cleveland Show | 2010 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
No me la puc treure del cap | 2010 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
It's Kind of a Funny Story | 2010 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Madden NFL 11 | 2010 | Video Game writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
This Ain't Glee XXX | 2010 | Video writer: "Big Tushy Ho's" - uncredited | |
30 Is the New 12 | 2010 | Short writer: "Fat Bottomed Girls" | |
20 to 1 | 2009-2010 | TV Series documentary writer - 2 episodes | |
Live from Studio Five | TV Series writer - 8 episodes, 2009 - 2010 performer - 2 episodes, 2010 | ||
Vancouver 2010: XXI Olympic Winter Games | 2010 | TV Mini-Series music: "Who Wants To Live Forever" | |
Guitar Hero: Van Halen | 2009 | Video Game writer: "I Want It All" | |
Memòries de la tele | 2009 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Cesko slovenská superstar | 2009 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
DJ Hero | 2009 | Video Game writer: "We Will Rock You" vs "Robot Rock" | |
L'affaire Farewell | 2009 | writer: "Under pressure", "We Will Rock You" | |
Dancing with the Stars | 2009 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
David Garrett Live in Berlin | 2009 | TV Movie writer: "Who Wants To Live Forever?" | |
Londres, París, Roma 3 | 2009 | TV Movie writer: "Copa, Lliga i Champions" | |
Guitar Hero: Metallica | 2009 | Video Game writer: "Stone Cold Crazy" | |
CHIKARA: King of Trios 2009 - Night I | 2009 | Video writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
X Factor | 2009 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Observe and Report | 2009 | writer: "It's Late", "The Hero" | |
Cyprien | 2009 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby radio edit" - as May | |
World's Greatest Dad | 2009/I | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Satsang | 2009 | TV Movie lyrics: "We Will Rock You" - uncredited / music: "We Will Rock You" - uncredited | |
Frag doch mal die Maus | 2008 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
South Park | 2008 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Talkshow with Spike Feresten | 2008 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga | 2008 | TV Movie documentary writer: "Flash" | |
Step Brothers | 2008 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby", "Under Pressure" | |
60/90 | TV Series writer - 3 episodes, 2008 performer - 1 episode, 2008 | ||
Grand Theft Auto IV | 2008 | Video Game writer: "One Vision" - as Queen | |
It Takes Two | 2008 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Música des del cor | 2007 | TV Movie writer: "Who Wants to Live Forever", "Junts per sempre" | |
L'isola dei famosi | 2007 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
The Heartbreak Kid | 2007 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Banda sonora | 2007 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry | 2007 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Idool 2007 | 2007 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
Ugly Betty | 2007 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
The Invisible | 2007 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Blades of Glory | 2007 | writer: "Flash's Theme" | |
The Alps | 2007 | Documentary writer: "Last Horizon", "Who Wants to Live Forever" - as Brian Harold May | |
My Name Is Earl | 2007 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Penny Dreadful | 2006 | writer: "Stay Away TSP Remix" | |
Queen und Budapest - How We Won the East | 2006 | TV Movie documentary performer: "Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt", "Love of My Life" - uncredited / writer: "One Vision", "Hammer to Fall", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "Save Me", "We Will Rock You" - uncredited | |
Australian Idol | 2005-2006 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
Kurt Cobain About a Son | 2006 | Documentary writer: "It's Late" | |
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip | 2006 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Zoom | 2006 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Canadian Idol | 2006 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Sarah Brightman: Diva - The Video Collection | 2006 | Video writer: "Who Wants to Live Forever" | |
Ha-Shminiya | 2006 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 | 2005 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
I Love the 80's 3-D | 2005 | TV Series documentary writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
Romanzo criminale | 2005 | writer: "Tie Your Mother Down" | |
Idol | 2002-2005 | TV Series writer - 4 episodes | |
The Pacifier | 2005 | writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Karaoke Revolution Volume 3 | 2004 | Video Game writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Queen on Fire: Live at the Bowl | 2004 | Video documentary arranger: "God Save the Queen", "God Save the Queen" Stadthalle / writer: "Flash's Theme", "The Hero", "We Will Rock You Fast", "Now I'm Here", "Dragon Attack", "Now I'm Here Reprise", "Save Me", "Guitar Solo", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "Tie Your Mother Down", "We Will Rock You", "Flash / The Hero" Seibu Stadium, "Now I'm Here" Seibu Stadium, "Put Out the Fire" Seibu Stadium, "Dragon Attack" Seibu Stadium, "Now I'm Here Reprise" Seibu Stadium, "Teo Torriatte" Seibu Stadium, "We Wil | |
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story | 2004 | writer: "We Will Rock You" - as Brian Harold May | |
13 Going on 30 | 2004 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby" - as Brian Harold May | |
The Girl Next Door | 2004 | writer: "UNDER PRESSURE" | |
Idol | 2004 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Super Size Me | 2004 | Documentary writer: "Fat Bottomed Girls" - as Brian Harold May | |
Hinter Gittern - Der Frauenknast | 2003 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Operación triunfo | 2003 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Nouvelle Star | 2003 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd | 2003 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
Idool 2003 | 2003 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
The Recruit | 2003 | writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Hunks | 2003 | Video documentary writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Interaktiv | 2003 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace | 2002 | TV Movie documentary performer: "God Save The Queen", "Move It", "With A Little Help From My Friends" / writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Queer as Folk | 2002 | TV Series performer - 1 episode | |
40 Days and 40 Nights | 2002 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
The Proud Family | 2001 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Moulin Rouge! | 2001 | writer: "The Show Must Go On" | |
A Knight's Tale | 2001 | writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Daddyfox | 2000 | TV Movie performer: "Let Me Out" / writer: "Let Me Out" | |
Freddie Mercury, the Untold Story | 2000 | TV Special documentary writer: "Doin' Alright" | |
The Replacements | 2000 | writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Ready to Rumble | 2000 | writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Freaks and Geeks | 2000 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
Queen's Greatest Flix III | 1999 | Video performer: "Driven by You" / writer: "Too Much Love Will Kill You", "Las palabras de amor The Words Of Love", "Driven by You", "No-One But You Only the Good Die Young", "Thank God It's Christmas" | |
Any Given Sunday | 1999 | writer: "WE WILL ROCK YOU" | |
Tuftsablanca | 1999 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
The Simpsons | 1999 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Sarah Brightman in Concert | 1998 | TV Movie writer: "Who Wants To Live Forever" | |
Stepmom | 1998 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
Disturbing Behavior | 1998 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
Mystery Science Theater 3000 | 1991-1998 | TV Series writer - 2 episodes | |
Queen Rocks | 1998 | Video writer: "Tie Your Mother Down", "It's Late", "Headlong", "Now I'm Here", "I Want It All", "Tear It Up", "One Vision", "We Will Rock You", "Hammer to Fall", "Keep Yourself Alive", "Stone Cold Crazy", "Put out the Fire", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "No-One But You Only The Good Die Young", "I Can't Live with You" | |
The Big One | 1997 | Documentary writer: "We Will Rock You" 1976 | |
Alanis Morissette: Jagged Little Pill - Live | 1997 | Video music: "We Will Rock You" | |
Queen: Made in Heaven | 1997 | Documentary writer: "Too Much Love Will Kill You", "Mother Love" | |
Grosse Pointe Blank | 1997 | writer: "Under Pressure" | |
The Adventures of Pinocchio | 1996 | lyrics: "What Are We Made Of", "Il Colosso" / music: "What Are We Made Of", "Il Colosso" / performer: "What Are We Made Of", "Il Colosso" | |
Brit Awards 1996 | 1996 | TV Special writer: "Too Much Love Will Kill You" | |
Married with Children | 1995 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Highlander | 1992-1994 | TV Series writer - 5 episodes | |
D2: The Mighty Ducks | 1994 | writer: "WE WILL ROCK YOU" | |
The Brit Awards 1994 | 1994 | TV Special performer: "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" | |
Beavis and Butt-Head | 1993 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Super Mario Bros. | 1993 | writer: "TIE YOUR MOTHER DOWN" | |
The Mighty Ducks | 1992 | writer: "WE WILL ROCK YOU" | |
Encino Man | 1992 | lyrics: "Stone Cold Crazy", "Keep Yourself Alive" / music: "Stone Cold Crazy", "Keep Yourself Alive" | |
Gladiator | 1992 | writer: "We Will Rock You" | |
Alyas Boy Kano | 1992 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
Queen: Greatest Flix II | 1991 | Video writer: "Under Pressure", "I Want It All", "Innuendo", "Who Wants to Live Forever", "Headlong", "I'm Going Slightly Mad", "Hammer to Fall", "The Show Must Go On", "One Vision" | |
Deadly Currents | 1991 | Documentary writer: "I Want it All" | |
Trump: What's the Deal? | 1991 | Documentary writer: "I Want it All" | |
Queen: I'm Going Slightly Mad | 1991 | Video short writer: "I'm Going Slightly Mad" | |
Manong Gang | 1991 | writer: "Ice Ice Baby" | |
Bloodmoon | 1990 | music: "BLOODMOON" | |
Cheers | 1990 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Queen: Rare Live - A Concert Through Time and Space | 1989 | Video writer: "Hammer to Fall", "We Will Rock You", "Tie Your Mother Down", "Keep Yourself Alive" | |
The Prince's Trust Rock Gala | 1988 | Documentary performer: "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes", "With a Little Help from my Friends" | |
Queen Live at Wembley '86 | 1986 | TV Movie documentary performer: "Brighton Rock Solo" / writer: "Tie Your Mother Down", "Tear It Up", "Who Wants To Live Forever", "Brighton Rock Solo", "Now I'm Here", "Is This The World We Created?", "Hammer To Fall", "We Will Rock You" | |
Highlander | 1986 | writer: "Who Wants To Live Forever", "Hammer To Fall", "Gimme the Prize Kurgan's Theme" - uncredited | |
Live Aid | 1985 | TV Special documentary writer: "We will Rock you", "Hammer to Fall", "Is this the World We Created?" | |
We Will Rock You: Queen Live in Concert | 1982 | Video documentary arranger: "God Save the Queen" / writer: "We Will Rock You", "Save Me", "Now I'm Here", "Dragon Attack", "Keep Yourself Alive", "Tie Your Mother Down", "We Will Rock You Reprise" | |
Queen's Greatest Flix | 1981 | Video writer: "We Will Rock You", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "Save Me", "Flash" | |
Hepe Goes to War | 1981 | writer: "Flash's Theme" - uncredited | |
Ekkusu bonbâ | 1980 | TV Series "Star Fleet" | |
Flash Gordon | 1980 | producer: "Flash's Theme" / writer: "Flash's Theme", "Flash To The Rescue", "Battle Theme", "The Wedding March", "Marriage Of Dale And Ming And Flash Approaching", "Crash Dive On Mingo City", "Flash's Theme Reprise Victory Celebrations", "The Hero" | |
Top of the Pops | 1978-1980 | TV Series writer - 3 episodes | |
Rock Concert | 1979 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
The Midnight Special | 1979 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
FM | 1978 | writer: "We Will Rock You" |
Music Department
Music Department
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Bohemian Rhapsody | music producer announced | ||
51 Degrees North | 2015 | soundtrack by | |
The Alps | 2007 | Documentary musician: guitar | |
Fun at the Funeral Parlour | 2001 | TV Series composer: theme music | |
The Adventures of Pinocchio | 1996 | songs: music and lyrics by | |
Frank Stubbs Promotes | 1993 | TV Series theme music - 2 episodes | |
Pavarotti & Friends | 1992 | TV Special documentary composer: song "Too Much Love Will Kill You" | |
Queen: I'm Going Slightly Mad | 1991 | Video short musician: electric guitar, slide guitar | |
Dünyayi Kurtaran Adam | 1982 | composer: "Flash Gordon" themes - uncredited | |
Teenage Suicide: Don't Try It! | 1981 | musician - as Queen | |
The Survivor | 1981 | conductor | |
Flash Gordon | 1980 | composer: additional music - uncredited |
Composer
Composer
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
A Night in Bohemia | 2016 | ||
51 Degrees North | 2015 | ||
One Night in Hell | 2014 | Short | |
The Stretch | 2000 | TV Movie | |
Furia | 1999 | ||
Rise of the Robots | 1994 | Video Game | |
Queen: I'm Going Slightly Mad | 1991 | Video short as Queen |
Producer
Producer
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Bohemian Rhapsody | producer announced | ||
A Night in Bohemia | 2016 | executive producer | |
One Night in Hell | 2014 | Short executive producer | |
Queen on Fire: Live at the Bowl | 2004 | Video documentary executive producer | |
The Freddie Mercury Tribute: Concert for AIDS Awareness | 1992 | TV Movie documentary producer | |
Queen: I'm Going Slightly Mad | 1991 | Video short producer - as Queen |
Actor
Actor
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
A Night in Bohemia | 2016 | ||
The Adventures of Pinocchio | 1996 | Massed Peasant Chorus / Chamberlain (voice) | |
Queen: I'm Going Slightly Mad | 1991 | Video short | Penguin / Himself |
The Champions | 1980 | TV Movie | Queen |
Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody | 1975 | Video short | Brian May |
Writer
Writer
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Heart-ache | 1995 | Short |
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody | 2004 | TV Movie documentary archive material provider |
Self
Self
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Dance with the Devil: The Legend of Cozy Powell | 2016 | Documentary filming | Himself |
The Peter Austin Noto Show | 2016 | TV Series | Himself |
Loose Women | 2012-2015 | TV Series | Himself |
BBC Music Awards 2015 | 2015 | TV Movie | Himself |
The Ritchie Blackmore Story | 2015 | Documentary | Himself |
The Sky at Night | 1999-2015 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
This Week | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
Question Time | 2015 | TV Series | Himself |
The Wright Stuff | 2015 | TV Series | Himself - Guest Panelist |
Classic Rock Roll of Honour: Presented by Orange Amplification | 2014 | TV Movie | Himself |
Die Helene Fischer Show | 2014 | TV Series | Himself - performer (as Queen) |
The X Factor | 2009-2014 | TV Series | Himself - Special Guest / Himself - Special Guest (as Queen) |
The Nation's Favourite Queen Song | 2014 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Oh! You Pretty Things: The Story of British Music and Fashion | 2014 | TV Mini-Series documentary | Himself |
The Joy of the Guitar Riff | 2014 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Daily Mirror: The Pride of Britain Awards | 2013 | TV Special | Himself |
I Heart Radio Music Festival: Night One | 2013 | TV Movie | Himself (as Queen) |
I Heart Radio Music Festival: Night Two | 2013 | TV Movie | Himself (as Queen) |
Sunday Brunch | 2013 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
The British Animal Honours | 2013 | TV Movie | Himself |
South at Six | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
Stargazing Live | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
Stargazing Live: Back to Earth | 2013 | TV Series | Himself |
Sir Patrick Moore: Astronomer, Broadcaster, Eccentric | 2012 | TV Movie | Himself (as Dr Brian May) |
Hello Quo | 2012 | Documentary | Himself |
The Great Pretender | 2012 | Video documentary | Himself |
London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music | 2012 | TV Movie | Himself |
The Nation's Favourite Number 1 Single | 2012 | TV Mini-Series documentary | Himself |
Imagine | 2012 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Evening Urgant | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
The Royal History of Pop | 2012 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Foxes Live: Wild in the City | 2012 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
American Idol | 2012 | TV Series | Himself - Musical Guest |
The BRIT Awards 2012 | 2012 | TV Special | Himself - Presenter |
The Diamond Queen | 2012 | TV Series documentary | Himself - Guitarist, 'Queen' |
The Story of Musicals | 2012 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
MTV Europe Music Awards 2011 | 2011 | TV Special | Himself - Recipient |
Strictly Come Dancing | 2011 | TV Series | Himself - Audience Member |
Late Review | 2011 | TV Series | Himself - Interviewee |
The One Show | 2011 | TV Series | Himself - Guest / Himself |
2011 MTV Video Music Awards | 2011 | TV Special | Himself - Performer |
Queen: Days of Our Lives | 2011 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Breakfast | 2011 | TV Series | Himself / Himself - Musician and Producer |
Fern | 2011 | TV Series | Himself - Special Guest |
I Was There: When the Beatles Played the Cavern | 2011 | Documentary | Himself |
Life4You | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
The Michael Ball Show | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
Channel 4 News | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
The Book Show | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
The Alan Titchmarsh Show | 2009 | TV Series | Himself |
Queen: The Legendary 1975 Concert | 2009 | Documentary | Himself (guitar) |
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live: Start Me Up | 2009 | Video | Himself |
Pop Galerie Reloaded | 2009 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
The Royal Variety Performance 2008 | 2008 | TV Movie | Himself - Performer |
Caiga quien caiga - CQC | 2008 | TV Series | Himself |
46664: A Concert for Nelson Mandela | 2008 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Happy Hour | 2007-2008 | TV Series | Himself |
This Morning | 2008 | TV Series | Himself |
Queen Rock Montreal & Live Aid | 2007 | Video | Himself |
Canadian Idol | 2007 | TV Series | Himself - Mentor |
Seven Ages of Rock | 2007 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Foo Fighters: Hyde Park | 2006 | Video | Himself - Guest |
Queen und Budapest - How We Won the East | 2006 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
The Sunday Programme | 2006 | TV Series | Himself |
Queen: Die Show | 2006 | TV Movie | Himself |
The Queen at 80 | 2006 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Air Guitar Nation | 2006 | Documentary | Himself |
The Astronomical Patrick Moore | 2006 | Video | Himself |
The Strat Pack | 2005 | Video | Himself |
Classic Albums | 2005 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Loops! | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
Queen + Paul Rodgers: Return of the Champions | 2005 | TV Special documentary | Himself |
Live Aid Remembered | 2005 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Big Brother's Efourum | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
Caiga quien caiga | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
Comic Relief 2005: Is This the Way to Amarillo | 2005 | Video short | Himself |
Comic Relief: Red Nose Night Live 05 | 2005 | TV Special | Himself |
The Brits Backstage | 2005 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Brit Awards 2005 | 2005 | TV Special | Himself - Presenter 'Best British Rock Act' |
Wetten, dass..? | 2004 | TV Series | Himself |
The Story of Bohemian Rhapsody | 2004 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Zu & Co Live at Royal Albert Hall | 2004 | Video | Himself |
The Variety Club Showbusiness Awards 2004 | 2004 | TV Special | Himself - Introducer: Outstanding New Talent |
Queen on Fire: Live at the Bowl | 2004 | Video documentary | Himself - Guitar, Vocals & Piano (as Queen) |
Becoming Queen | 2004 | Video documentary | Himself |
Arena | 2004 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
The Ultimate Pop Star | 2004 | TV Movie | Himself |
Queen: Greatest Video Hits 2 | 2003 | Video documentary | Himself (as Queen) |
The Jubilee Girl | 2002 | TV Movie | Himself - Interviewee |
Queen: Greatest Video Hits 1 | 2002 | Video documentary | Himself (as Queen) |
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway | 2002 | TV Series | Himself |
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace | 2002 | TV Movie documentary | Himself - Performer (as Queen) |
Killer Queen! | 2002 | Himself | |
Parkinson | 2002 | TV Series | Himself |
Lemmy | 2002 | Documentary | Himself |
Motörhead - 25 & Alive: Boneshaker | 2001 | Video documentary | Himself |
Top Ten | 2001 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Freddie Mercury, the Untold Story | 2000 | TV Special documentary | Himself |
100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock | 2000 | TV Mini-Series documentary | Himself - Member, Queen |
Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael | 1999 | Video documentary | Himself (segment "Somebody To Love") (as Queen) |
Queen: Greatest Flix I & II | 1998 | Video | Himself |
Alas Smith & Jones | 1998 | TV Series | Himself |
Música sí | 1998 | TV Series | Himself |
Gute Nacht, Gottschalk | 1998 | TV Movie | Himself |
Power Vision - Pop Galerie | 1998 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
This Is Your Life | 1992-1997 | TV Series documentary | Himself / Himself - Lead Guitarist with Queen |
Very Important Pennis | 1997 | TV Series | Himself |
The Sunday Show | 1996 | TV Series | Himself |
Queen: Champions of the World | 1995 | Documentary | Himself |
The History of Rock 'n' Roll | 1995 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
The Queen Phenomenon | 1995 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
The Brit Awards 1994 | 1994 | TV Special | Himself - Performer |
Chameleon of Pop: David Bowie Story | 1993 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Pop Goes Summer | 1993 | TV Short | Himself |
Ein Leben als Extravaganza - Das Genie Frank Zappa | 1993 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Pavarotti & Friends | 1992 | TV Special documentary | Himself - Guest Performer |
De tú a tú | 1992 | TV Series | |
Classic Queen | 1992 | Video documentary | Himself (as Queen) |
Queen's Greatest Hits | 1992 | Video documentary | Himself (as Queen) |
MTV Video Music Awards 1992 | 1992 | TV Special | Himself |
Queen Live in Japan | 1992 | Video documentary | Himself |
Brit Awards 1992 | 1992 | TV Special | Himself |
Queen: Greatest Flix II | 1991 | Video | Himself |
Leyendas de la guitarra | 1991 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
Cue the Music | 1991 | TV Series | Himself (1994) |
Queen: The Days of Our Lives | 1991 | TV Movie documentary | Himself (as Queen) |
Guitar | 1991 | Video documentary | Brian May |
Cilla's Goodbye to the '80s | 1989 | TV Movie | Himself |
Jerry Lee Lewis and Friends | 1989 | Video documentary | Himself |
Hard 'N Heavy Volume 3 | 1989 | Video | Himself |
The Prince's Trust Rock Gala | 1988 | Documentary | Himself |
Queen: Magic Years, Volume One - A Visual Anthology | 1987 | Documentary | Himself |
Queen: Magic Years, Volume Three - A Visual Anthology | 1987 | Documentary | Himself |
Queen: Magic Years, Volume Two - A Visual Anthology | 1987 | Documentary | Himself |
Varázslat - Queen Budapesten | 1987 | Documentary | Himself |
Queen Live at Wembley '86 | 1986 | TV Movie documentary | Himself (as Queen) |
Queen Live in Rio | 1986 | Documentary | Himself |
The Prince's Trust Rock Gala: 10th Birthday | 1986 | TV Movie documentary | Himself - Performer |
Greenpeace Non-toxic Video Hits | 1985 | Himself | |
We Are the Champions | 1985 | Documentary | Himself |
Breakfast Time | 1985 | TV Series | Himself |
Live Aid | 1985 | TV Special documentary | Himself (as Queen) |
Red Hot Rock | 1984 | Video | Himself (Queen guitarist) (as Queen) |
Saturday Starship | 1984 | TV Series | Himself |
The Tube | 1983 | TV Series | Himself |
We Will Rock You: Queen Live in Concert | 1982 | Video documentary | Himself |
Queen's Greatest Flix | 1981 | Video | Himself |
Queen Special | 1981 | TV Movie | Himself - Musician (as Queen) |
Love of My Life | 1979 | TV Mini-Series | Himself |
Top of the Pops | 1974-1977 | TV Series | Himself |
Live at the Rainbow | 1975 | Video | Himself |
Archive Footage
Archive Footage
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Lorraine | 2016 | TV Series | Himself |
Dolezal Backstage | 2015 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
We are the Champions- 40 Jahre Queen | 2013 | Documentary | Himself |
Tamori kurabu | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
The Story of the Guitar | 2008 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
60/90 | 2008 | TV Series | Himself |
Música des del cor | 2007 | TV Movie | Himself |
Musikprogrammet - programmet om musik | 2006 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
80s | 2005 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Legenden | 2005 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Richard & Judy | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
Queen Mania | 2005 | TV Movie | Himself |
Queen's Greatest Flix III | 1999 | Video | Himself |
Never Mind the Buzzcocks | 1998 | TV Series | Himself |
Queen Rocks | 1998 | Video | Himself |
Comic Relief: Behind the Nose | 1992 | TV Movie | Himself |
Queen: Rare Live - A Concert Through Time and Space | 1989 | Video | Himself |
¡Qué noche la de aquel año! | 1987 | TV Series | Himself |
Top of the Pops | 1977 | TV Series | Himself |
Nominated awards
Nominated awards
Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie | Award shared with |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | OFTA Film Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Music, Adapted Song | Moulin Rouge! (2001) | · John Deacon (music and lyrics by) · Freddie Mercury (music and lyrics by) · Roger Taylor (music and lyrics by) · Nicole Kidman (performed by) · Jim Broadbent (performed by) · Anthony Weigh (performed by) |
1981 | Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music | BAFTA Awards | Flash Gordon (1980) | · John Deacon · Freddie Mercury · Roger Taylor · Howard Blake |
Looks like we don't have salary information. Sorry!
# | Quote |
---|---|
1 | I have learned from my time inside Parliament lobbying on animal welfare that it is still hard for MPs to go against their own leadership's plans, even when it is a free vote. |
2 | [on whether rock music had stopped being rebellious and become the establishment] The barriers got broken down, I think, and the distinctions got blurred. And I think it's a very good thing. Music is music and rock music will always be there now as not necessarily the expression of the young but the expression of people who feel that they want to express their passions directly and communicate. |
3 | [on Freddie Mercury's battle with AIDS] We didn't know actually what was wrong for a very long time. We never talked about it and it was a sort of unwritten law that we didn't, because Freddie didn't want to. He just told us that he wasn't up to doing tours, and that's as far as it went. Gradually, I suppose in the last year and a bit, it became obvious what the problem was, or at least fairly obvious. We didn't know for sure. |
4 | [on touring with his band Queen] When the question comes up, 'Do you wanna tour again?', you think, 'Ah, my God. I have my life. It's fairly peaceful. I have everything that I need. I wanna be with my family' etc. etc. But the call of the wild is there and you think, 'Okay, this is actually what we do. We do play music. We go out. We take risks. We play without a safety net.' |
5 | [on Queen's show-stealing performance at Live Aid (1985)] I took Bob Geldof at his word. He said to me: "You're the biggest band in the world. We need you on the bill because we need to sell this thing worldwide. It's a global jukebox so just go out there and play the fuckin' hits." So all we did was go out there and give people what they wanted to hear. Compared to most of the other acts, we had the advantage because we were used to playing football stadiums all around the world. |
6 | [on the death of Michael Jackson] I think the world is a more colorful place thanks to Michael's work ... he was a truly wonderful performer at his peak. I think he qualifies as a great artist; he devoted his whole body and soul to his art. I only hope he passed away in happiness, in great hopes and anticipation of his glorious comeback tour. RIP Michael. |
7 | This [51 Degrees North (2015)] is a very different kind of disaster movie. No Bruce Willis here, to save life on Earth from extinction. Just humans searching for a way to live their last moments, and look for a way of saving ..... something. This is a movie to change perspectives - and now that we realise the high probability of such a strike from space, it is a timely warning indeed. I was inspired by the rushes, and honoured to be asked to contribute music for the film. We did the organic way ... all of the pieces were played completely live to the final cut of the film. |
8 | [on the death of Phil Everly] I feel like a huge piece of my youth just melted away. I loved, loved those guys, and still do. From The Everly Brothers, I learned to play rhythm guitar - a lot of people don't have that experience these days, and I learned every note of both parts they sang. |
9 | [on Sacha Baron Cohen's departure from the Freddie Mercury movie] Sacha's presence in the movie would be very distracting. What led us to that conclusion was the last three movies that he's made The Dictator (2012), Les Misérables (2012) and Hugo (2011) in which he makes outstanding performances, but they're very much Sacha Baron Cohen performances. And we thought there has to be no distraction in the Freddie movie. You have to really suspend that disbelief - the man who plays Freddie, you have to really believe is Freddie. And we didn't that could really happen with Sacha. That's not any criticism of his talent whatsoever. |
10 | [on the possibility of a new Queen album featuring Freddie Mercury vocals] We thought we'd exhausted everything that was around and could be worked on, but since then a number of things have come to light from various sources that we'd just plain forgotten about, including the stuff with Freddie and Michael Jackson. Just a couple of weeks ago, we thought: Maybe we shouldn't be just working on bits and pieces? Maybe we should be heading towards an album? It just might be. |
11 | [on AIDS following the death of Mercury] There shouldn't be from this point - or not from any point - any stigma to having this disease. It's nothing to do with "somebody did something wrong, he's being punished". That's got to go, it has to go. |
12 | [on global success with Queen] I do get up some mornings and think: "God, how did that happen?". Because we were just boys - and it doesn't seem that long ago - with dreams and big ideas that we could do something that no one's ever done before, and sort of go out and conquer the world. And somehow, it happened. Everywhere I go, from Mongolia to Timbuktu, people know the songs. It's incredible. I feel very, very fortunate. It is like some kind of dream, really. |
13 | [on The Voice UK (2012)] Every time I catch a glimpse of young singers busting their guts trying to win somebody's attention, who is rudely sitting with their back to the singer...I feel sick. It brings singing down to the level of a stupid obstacle course on It's a Knockout (1966). This is not - NOT - what music is about. |
14 | I despise the Lottery. There's less chance of you becoming a millionaire than there is of getting hit on the head by a passing asteroid. |
15 | [on Freddie Mercury] I think one of the results of his life can be that people have a different attitude to people being gay. Here's a guy who was strong, who was incredibly talented, quite magnificent in every way you can thing of, and he was gay and was quite public about it. So I don't think anyone can ever quite feel the same about that any more - and it's time, God knows. |
16 | [on the NME, a British music magazine which frequently criticised Queen] The NME is a rather grubby little English pop music paper which makes a kind of schoolboy attempt at political commentary - really a wannabee version of the American publication 'Rolling Stone', which has similar pretensions - not a great place to learn about the big world out there! |
17 | [on George Harrison] I hold George in such reverence and I think he's so underrated by the guitar community; everyone raves about people who play fast, but if you look at the catalogue of stuff he's produced, it's colossal. |
18 | I'll never forget the first time Roger and I jammed together because, after we'd set up our gear, he started this very delicate operation of tuning his drums. I was really shocked - I'd never seen anyone do that before... All of the drummers I'd worked with previously just hit the things! It was like Roger was making his drums talk though, and I watched - fascinated - as he smoothly transitioned from tuning into playing these beautifully controlled little press rolls on his snare. Again, so different to the bashers I was used to! |
19 | When I started playing a riff, Roger just joined in, and something immediately happened musically...I'd never encountered a drummer who had the ability to sound so broad and big before - he was like an orchestra - and my guitar sound, which is also very broad, coupled with the spectrum of his drums, just gelled and we sounded complete. |
20 | Plenty of people can play the drums, but to be able to play truly sympathetically to the song is a real talent, and one that Roger definitely has. He's a very musical drummer and has great skill on his cymbals, too. And, of course, he's so much more than just a drummer, because as his songwriting developed he also became a major force in creating material for the band. |
21 | Roger (Roger Taylor) and I are like brothers - there is a real mutual respect and love between us - and it's just amazing that the music we made with Queen has spanned the generations. We go off and do our own projects, but it's wonderful when we get back in a room and play together, and we are always surprised to discover that - even after all of this time - the old magic is still there! |
22 | At one point, I was really very suicidal. At such moments, it's only the fact that I've got kids that stops me from driving off bridges. |
23 | When I'm gone, people will no doubt remember me for Queen, but I would much rather be remembered for attempting to change the way we treat our fellow creatures. That would be something to be proud of. |
24 | I am dedicated to the welfare of animals. These days I spend more time campaigning for animal rights than I do on music. My biggest difficulty is trying to juggle everything in my life. Time is a big problem. My family comes first, and then my devotion to helping animals. I love making music, but I no longer have much time to do that. |
25 | [on the 20th anniversary of the death of Freddie Mercury] Its not a day I celebrate. One of the grimmest memories of my life But I will be playing some guitar today, too, quite privately. |
26 | [on the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991] The band finished, so there was a terrible feeling of loss - the band was my family. We lost Freddie and my dad died at almost the same time. I didn't want to live. I'd lost myself completely. I coasted along and got by somehow, but I couldn't get myself into gear. So I had to go into this place where I was isolated and removed from my life. Gradually, the suicidal feelings went away. |
27 | [on Freddie Mercury] He gave people proof that a man could achieve his dreams - made them feel that through him they were overcoming their own shyness, and becoming the powerful figure of their ambitions. And he lived life to the full. He devoured life. He celebrated every minute. And, like a great comet, he left a luminous trail which will sparkle for many a generation to come. |
28 | [on Phil Collins] Phil's a great guy and an amazing drummer - he played with Roger and I at the Buckingham Palace gig. Plus in life, it doesn't really matter what people say about you - Phil can't please everyone. As Queen, we certainly know that. |
29 | [speakin in 2010] I'm a person who's voted Conservative most of my life, but when I realised in the run up to the election that David Cameron was sympathetic to and supported by a group of people in the community who abuse animals, I became very upset. |
30 | [on staying in the rock business] Keep your hair and don't get fat. |
31 | [on the all-female nude bicycle race that Queen organized to promote their "Bicycle Race" single] At the time, it seemed alright to have a bunch of girls riding bicycles without any clothes on. I don't know if I would make the same decision now. Probably not. |
32 | I think it's essential that you have things that you get into apart from music. You have to maintain your balance. |
33 | [on how he got the idea to write the classic Queen song "We Will Rock You"] {Queen] played a gig at Bingley Hall near Birmingham. It was a popular venue at the time. It was a big sweaty barn and that night it was packed with a particularly vocal crowd. They were definitely drowning us out with their enthusiasm. I remember that even after we left the stage they didn't stop singing - loudly. They sang "You'll Never Walk Alone," which is very emotional. Quite a choking thing really. I certainly found it inspirational. Later that night back at our hotel I said to the others, "That was great. So what should we do to continue generating that kind of energetic response?" I woke up with the "We Will Rock You" lyrics in my head and had it written in about 10 minutes. |
34 | I regard Planet Rock as rather more than just a radio station - it is a symbol of free radio ... radio which is not run by large corporate organisations for the purpose of making tons of money, and has a free choice of what it plays. |
35 | We were kind of disciples of Hendrix (Jimi Hendrix) and The Beatles, particularly the way they used studios almost like an instrument, but obviously we had more technology than they had had, so we could push things a lot further. |
36 | [Speaking in 1993 about his reluctance to perform again as Queen] In my mind, it just seems like there cannot be a Queen without Freddie (Freddie Mercury) and we should probably rather not pretend that there could be. |
37 | I'm the world's biggest Led Zeppelin fan. The music, the way they conducted themselves, their whole management structure - they were the blueprint. Queen always used to play The Immigrant Song in sound-checks just for the glory of the sound. |
38 | I'm feeling rather joyful. I cannot tell you how much of a weight off the mind it is. - after his assessors approved of his thesis and he passed an oral exam. |
39 | Sorry, TV just makes me feel ill. Except the good stuff that gets imported, with great scripts, great lighting, great camera angles, innovative effects, and fabulous editing. And the Simpsons. What has happened to us? |
40 | [Speaking in 2003] I do think that maybe now people are looking at more depth to what we did. Yes, we were pretty flashy and we were pretty loud and at moments we seemed very outrageous, but there was a lot of honest craftsmanship that went on behind that. |
41 | I'm a much better musician than astronomer. I think the world got the right choice. |
42 | I don't think anyone has epitomised riff writing better than Jimmy Page - he's one of the great brains of rock music. |
43 | I've never been fashionable and I never will. |
44 | I wanted to do an album on [paradoxes]. The band told me I was a pretentious fart. They were right. |
# | Trademark |
---|---|
1 | Vox AC30 guitar amplifiers |
2 | Innovative multi-tracked guitar solos |
3 | Guitar riffs |
4 | His guitar "The Red Special" which he built |
5 | His curly hair |
6 | Plays his guitar (the Red Special) with a sixpence coin |