Selected as 2023 New Year Honoree in UK
Also Active as Astrophysicist and Animal Welfare Activist
Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Mick Jagger, Elton John Also Knighted
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Brian May, the legendary guitarist of the British rock band Queen, is being knighted.
The UK Cabinet Office announced the "2023 New Year Honours List" on the 30th (local time), and May was included in the list of the lowest rank of knighthood, "Knight Bachelor."
The list introduced him as "Dr. Brian Harold May, Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)," and the summary of his achievements described him as "musician, astrophysicist, and animal welfare activist. Contributions to music and charity."
Brian May graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Physics from the prestigious Imperial College London in 1968 and dreamed of becoming an astrophysicist while pursuing his doctoral studies at the same university.
During his university years, he formed the band "Smile," which included drummer Roger Taylor, a dental school graduate. Later, vocalist Freddie Mercury (deceased in 1991) and bassist John Deacon, an engineering student at King's College, joined to form the group "Queen."
May was an outstanding guitarist and also contributed significantly to Queen's activities as a songwriter. His hit compositions include "We Will Rock You," "The Show Must Go On," and "Too Much Love Will Kill You."
He had paused his studies due to Queen's success in the early 1970s but completed his thesis and earned his doctorate in October 2007, more than 30 years later. He then served as the Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University from 2008 to 2013. Alongside Roger Taylor, he continues Queen's activities and even held a concert in Korea in 2020.
May, who received the CBE honor in 2005 for his "contributions to the music industry and charity," will now be called "Sir Brian" after receiving his knighthood, and his wife Anita Dobson will be known as "Lady May."
After the announcement of the New Year Honours List, May said in a video call with an AP reporter, "If I say 'Sir Brian speaking,' more people might be willing to listen to me than otherwise."
He is currently active in the animal welfare organization "Save Me," which he founded in 2010, stating, "It is a mistaken notion that humans are the only important species on this planet," and "All species and individuals have the right to live with dignity and face death with respect."
Meanwhile, other popular musicians who have received British knighthoods include Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Mick Jagger, the leader of The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Tom Jones, and Rod Stewart. Queen's drummer Roger Taylor received an OBE honor in 2020.
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