Born on July 19, 1941 in Hampton, England to a supportive family that encouraged his interests in both music and science, Brian May is one of the most influential rock guitarists of all time. Equally remarkable, he has had a distinguished second career as an astrophysicist, making him one of the few people to excel at the highest levels in both music and science. He and his father, an electronics engineer, spent nearly two years designing and building the Red Special, the handmade electric guitar that has remained his principal instrument throughout his career. Brian co-founded Queen in 1970 with Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, and wrote many of Queen’s classic songs, including “We Will Rock You,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” “I Want It All,” and “The Show Must Go On.” May’s guitar style is instantly recognizable for its rich, orchestral sound. Instead of relying on electronic effects, he often created layered harmonies by recording multiple guitar parts. His signature sound also comes from using the Red Special with a small British sixpence coin as a guitar pick. May earned his Ph.D. in astrophysics from Imperial College London, and has published research on interplanetary dust. He completed his doctorate decades after pausing his studies to pursue Queen’s success. Brian May’s life is an unusual blend of artistic creativity, scientific curiosity, and technical ingenuity. His influence extends well beyond rock music, making him one of the most multifaceted public figures of the past half-century.