Previously recognized with the C.B.E. award in 2005 for services to the music industry and for charity work, May’s new citation recognises the rocker as “Dr Brian Harold May CBE. Musician, Astrophysicist and Animal Welfare Advocate. For services to Music and to Charity.”
“Already carrying the title of Dr. as well as previously receiving a CBE, the Queen musician now receives the award of a Knighthood, adding the honorific title Sir to his name, hereafter to be recognised with the full title Sir Brian Harold May CBE. Brian’s wife of 22 years, Anita Dobson, may use the title of Lady May.
“I'm happy and grateful to receive this honour,” says May. “I will regard the knighthood not so much as a reward, but more as a charge – a commission - for me to continue to fight for justice - to be a voice for those who have no voice. I will endeavour to be worthy - to be that Knight in Shining Armour.”
“Brian May is an acclaimed musician and songwriter, founding member of the rock group Queen,” reads his official profile/bio for the 2022 Honours List. “In 2020 he was named Greatest Guitarist of All Time by Total Guitar Magazine. Queen’s performance at Live Aid in 1985 is acknowledged as the greatest live set in history. He famously opened The Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2002 performing live on Buckingham Palace roof – and 20 years later returned to open the Platinum Jubilee concert atop the Victoria Monument.
“He is also an accomplished astrophysicist, now attached as stereoscopist to many NASA Space exploration teams. He re-established the London Stereoscopic Company in 2008, was co-founder of Asteroid Day in 2015, for the protection of Earth from asteroid strikes, and was Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University from 2008-2013.
“His work defending Britain’s wild animals led him to found the Save-Me Trust in 2009, which is his continuing passion, campaigning for the rights of foxes and badgers, and hosting an active wildlife rescue operation.
Queen drummer Roger Taylor was made an OBE in the 2020 New Year Honours. See also:
Queen smash Bohemian Rhapsody tops 2 billion Spotify streams
Queen stream The Miracle Collector’s Edition box set
Queen debut I Want It All lyric video
Queen stream The Invisible Man lyric video
Queen stream lyric video for The Miracle
Search Queen at hennemusic
