LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 20: Guitarist Brian May of Queen performs during the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 20, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

Today (7/9) is Queen guitarist Brian May’s birthday! The rocker’s inventive songwriting and iconic riffs set him apart as one of the best axemen of all-time. But there’s more to May than meets the eye. In honor of his birthday, we take a look at five things that remind us of him.

Diplomas

As if three honorary doctorates weren’t enough, May earned his own doctorate in astrophysics in 2007 at Imperial College in London, where he also earned a degree in Physics in 1974. He was named the chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University in 2008. That’s Dr. Brian May to you.

 

Badgers

May is a passionate advocate for animal rights, specifically for foxes and badgers. In 2013 he teamed up with guitarist Slash and others to record the song “Badger Swagger” with all proceeds going to the badger cause. He also founded an activist group called Save Me.

Save The Badger Badger Badger : animated music video : MrWeebl

Sign the petition and find out more about The Cull ► http://teambadger.org Get the tune on iTunes here ► http://goo.gl/62fC68 SUBSCRIBE for more Weebl ► http://is.gd/MoreWeebl Made with Brian May of Queen fame (He's pretty good on guitar you know) and the very loud, Brian Blessed of Flash Gordon and shouting fame.

 

Cigars

In 2000, he worked with the Foo Fighters on a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar” that was featured on the Mission: Impossible II soundtrack.

Foo Fighters (with Brian May) - Have A Cigar

Cover of Pink Floyd's Have A Cigar by the Foo Fighters with Brian May on guitar. Produced by the Foo Fighters and Brian May. Mixed by Taylor Hawkins. Released on the Mission Impossible 2 soundtrack titled 'Music From And Inspired by Mission Impossible 2' in 2000.

 

DIY

He built his own guitar with his dad called the “Red Special,” and uses a “sixpence” coin as a pick.  Check out a picture of that pick below. The guitar is mainly responsible for Queen’s distinctive guitar sound that’s nearly impossible to replicate. The neck was made from an old fireplace mantle and the guitar itself has security around the clock while on tour.

Brian May Sixpence Birthday Post

Shakespeare

May composed and performed music for a Macbeth stage play entirely on a computer in 1987 and 1990. Not exactly stadium anthems like “Tie Your Mother Down” or “We Will Rock You.”

Brian May - Macbeth

Studio and live extracts of instrumental pieces written by Brian May for the Red & Gold Theatre Company's production of Macbeth at London's Riverside Theatre in 1990. Recorded on a computer by Brian and transferred from floppy disk to cassette and played during the play on a cassette tape player.

 

 

 

Blake Froling is a classic rocker who can be seen on the road belting out AC/DC songs in his car.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights