Brian May The Definitive Biography - Laura Jackson

 Even when not playing in Queen, Brian May has been keeping a positive public profile online with his various accounts where he interacts with his fans, endorses guitars'n'effects, talks about his health and much more. He is charming'n'charismatic and friendly'n'forthright and just seems like a damn nice guy, so it seemed time to get to know him a bit more.

May is probably best known for being the only (?) astro-physicist/rock star on the scene today, and it seems like he has always been a level-headed, decent person, an above-average student, a technician and a fine player. He had a difficult time deciding whether to remain in the sciences (he continued he studies throughout the early days of Queen and, of course, went back for his degree(s) later) or devote his time to music, but the allure of rock'n'roll grabbed him. As with most people his age, he played in a number of groups early on before falling in with Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor and, eventually, John Deacon. He and his dad famously built his signature guitar and the perfectionist in him/them made one that was coveted by all those who heard it. Again, as with most bands, the group was turned down numerous times before finally garnering a record contract and, with plenty of hard work, also garnering fame'n'fortune.

Success came somewhat slowly due partially to health issues with May and Mercury affecting their first few tours of America, a vital audience that needed to be tapped, not to mention some vicious critics. But once the hits started coming they didn't stop for decades and the band became one of the biggest and flashiest in the world - perfect timing for punk rock to rail against! I do think it's funny that Jackson compares Queen at their peak to ABBA! While they both rely on harmonies, I would certainly not associate the two!

Most of the rest of the story mainly lists the various recordings'n'tours that the band performed, as well as detailing May's further health issues, along with family and romantic ups'n'downs, side projects and, naturally, Freddie's failing health (he continued to record with the band throughout his illness, along he could not tour) and early death. As we know, after letting Queen lie for a number of years, May and Taylor resurrected the name with various sidemen along with their continuing individual projects that continue to this day.

Not overly exciting, but a good overview of the man and the band - well worth it for fans.