Brian May, the guitarist for the rock band Queen, is completing his doctorate in astrophysics at Imperial College London and told plans to submit his thesis, "Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud," within the next two weeks. Next Tuesday, he should be completing astronomical observations at an observatory in Spain's Canary Islands.
May abandoned his academic aspirations thirty years ago, when he dropped out of the astrophysics program as Queen became successful. Along with lead Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, May churning out such hits as "We Are the Champions," "We Will Rock You," and "Bohemian Rhapsody."
According to May, who is now 60 years old, he always wanted to complete the degree. He "didn't want an honorary degree. I wanted the real thing that I worked for."
Related Articles
- Brian May's Blog - Brian's Soapbox
- Washington Post (AP) - Queen Guitarist to Complete Doctorate
Image: Brian May photo from 2006 VH1 Rock Honors in Las Vegas, Nevada. Copyright Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Comments
I am far more impressed by the PhD at age 60 than by his Queen success. (And I love Queen!) There are thousands of guitarists who have made it big. How many 60 year olds have completed a degree in astrophysics at age 60? Especially after being a rock star!?
I am VERY IMPRESSED by both of Brian May’s accomplishments. Brian May proves that rock stars can be geniuses outside of music, too. It’s no small feat to reach the heights of music *and* work for and earn a PhD. ~~~~Rock on Dr. May!~~~~
30 years of being a rock guitar god, and his brain can still function at the PhD level?!!!! now THAT’S impressive!
Impressed, but by the sum of the two endeavors rather than one moreso than the other. Something about ” the music of the spheres ” comes to mind. Sir Brian, we salute you.
Being a both a physics professor and a guitarist, I must say that I am extremely impressed by Brian May’s effort to earn his PhD. It’s only good old fashioned hard work behind a PhD, and there are no shortcuts available. Congratulations, and good luck to Brian with the thesis defense on August 23rd!
Ph.D. in Astrophysics. Obviously.
Incredible. Good for Brian May. Yet another accomplishment. And good for us, eh? This is an uplifting bit if news that can make us take pride about someone who can persue so many talents. I’m grinning and shaking my head. Very well done. Congratulations…and thanks.
(spelling correction) “pursue”
Hey, it was late when I made the post!
Now that’s what I call participating research, being a star….
I have always had an interest in astronomy. Enough to know that the math alone is far beyond what I or most people can fathom. While both achievements are poles apart I’d say the PhD is the greater of the two.
I love Queen’s music and I too have a Ph.D. as well as two Master’s degrees. I concur that the Ph.D. is the more commendable achievement.
Bravo, Dr. May!!
Both great achievements of course but the buck house stunt would do it for me.
It seems to me that much of physics considers the probability of an occurrence. In that light, which is more probable? World-class guitarist or world-class physicist?
Reaching ALL your major goals is the accomplishment.
All 60 year olds that get degrees get them at the age of 60. So Donnie, the answer is 100%.