Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer
102.9 WMGK | Philadelphia's Classic Rock 102.9 WMGK Brian May on His 'Odd Experience' Working with Axl Rose
  • Latest Stories
        • News

          • Music News
          • Lifestyle
          • Entertainment
        • Latest Classic Rock News

  • On Air
        • On Air

          • The Matt Cord Show With Steve Vassalotti
          • Eric Johnson
          • Andre Gardner
          • Tony Harris
          • Designated Hitters
          • Little Steven’s Underground Garage
          • Recently Played
          • Archive: The John DeBella Show
        • How To Listen

        • Alexa, Open MGK

        • Recently Played

  • Listen + Watch
        • Listen + Watch

          • Podcasts
          • Our Delaware Valley
          • The Public Affairs Show With Markus Goldman
          • Galleries
          • Recently Played
        • MKG’s Knockout

        • Beatles Minute

          beatles minute with andre gardner logo
  • Contests
  • Events
        • Concerts + Events

          • All MGK events
          • Concert Calendar
          • Station Events
          • MGK Cares
  • Shop
  • More
        • Connect

          • Contact Us
          • @Work Network Insider Info
          • Download Our App
          • Need Some Help?
          • Advertise
        • @Work Network

        • Follow Us

        • Advertise With MGK

Brian May on His ‘Odd Experience’ Working with Axl Rose on ‘Chinese Democracy’

Placeholder Shilloutte User Image
Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
April 21st, 2022 10:52 AM

Brian May was involved with the recording of Guns N’ Roses’ infamous Chinese Democracy album, and while his contributions ended up being cut from the album, the guitar icon recently opened up about his experience working with the enigmatic Axl Rose.

In a new interview with Classic Rock (as transcribed by Guitar World), May said, “It was an odd experience. I think it was about midway through the whole thing. By that point Axl was pretty much a recluse. He was working in his house, and I was working in the studio at the bottom of the hill with his engineer at the time, and he only rarely came down. Now and again he would call in and get all enthusiastic and talk a lot, and then he’d be gone again. I don’t think any of what I played actually got onto the album.”

May’s recorded but cut work was attached to the track “Catcher In The Rye.” Back in 2008, May would say regarding his work being cut from Chinese Democracy, “Well, it is a shame, perhaps … I did put quite a lot of work in, and was proud of it. But I could understand if Axl wants to have an album which reflects the work of the members of the band as it is, right now. I do have mixes of the tracks with my guitar on, work tapes at the time, but they will remain private, out of respect for Axl.”

 

Brian May & 12 Other Rock Stars with College Degrees

  • Queen

    Share

    Each member of Queen has their own college degree. Brian May earned his PhD in astrophysics in 2007. Freddie Mercury had a degree in graphic art and design. John Deacon has a degree in Electronics, and Roger Taylor has a bachelor's degree in biology.

  • Tom Morello

    Share

    Tom Morello graduated from Harvard University in 1986 with a Bachelor's Degree in social studies.

  • Jim Morrison

    Share

    Before helping form The Doors, Jim Morrison would graduate from UCLA in 1965 with a Bachelor's degree from the university's film school.

  • Dexter Holland

    Share

    The Offspring frontman earned a Ph.D in molecular biology from the University of Southern California in 2017. His thesis was titled 'Discovery of Mature MicroRNA Sequences within the Protein-Coding Regions of Global HIV-1 Genomes: Predictions of Novel Mechanisms for Viral Infection and Pathogenicity.'

  • Lou Reed and Sterling Morrison

    Share

    Sterling Morrison earned a PhD in medieval literature in 1986 from the University of Texas at Austin. Lou Reed, meanwhile, earned a Bachelor's degree from Syracuse University in English in 1964.

  • James Williamson

    Share

    Williamson carved out an incredible post-Stooges career. He received a degree in electrical engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 1982 and would go on to become a VP at Sony and help develop the technology behind the Blu-ray Disc.

  • Jeff Schroeder

    Share

    The Smashing Pumpkins guitarist has a bachelor's and Masters degree and is currently working on his Ph.D in Comparative Literature at UCLA.

  • Greg Graffin

    Share

    The Bad Religion frontman has an impressive academic record. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from UCLA. From there, he earned a PhD in science from Cornell University. Graffin has even returned to UCLA and Cornell to teach select science courses.

  • Rivers Cuomo

    Share

    Cuomo took a little over two decades between the various album and tour cycles with Weezer to earn his English degree from Harvard, but he finally did it in 2006.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
102.9 WMGK | Philadelphia's Classic Rock 102.9 WMGK

Sign me up for the 102.9 WMGK At Work Network email newsletter!

Join WMGK's At Work Network and get the latest rock news, exclusive presales, contests and more straight to you inbox.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Placeholder Shilloutte User Image
Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
Category:
  • Classic Rock News
  • Music
  • WMGK Audio
Tags:
Axl Rose,Brian May,Guns N Roses

More Classic Rock News

Billy Idol: His Five Most-Viewed Music Videos on YouTube

Steven Tyler Offers Update on His Throat, Shares Latest Aerosmith Project

Mick Fleetwood Honors Christine McVie on First Anniversary of Her Death

Shane MacGowan, Singer of The Pogues, Dies at 65

Pink Floyd: Their Best Songs, Ranked

Pearl Jam: New Album is ‘In The Can’

5 of Rock’s Most Controversial Songs

Soundgarden Still at Odds with Chris Cornell Estate

KISS: How to Watch Their Final Farewell Show

Sharon Osbourne Thinks Ozzy Should Be in the Rock Hall as a Solo Artist

12 Memorable Christmas Books To Spark The Holiday Spirit

Paul McCartney, Elton John to Make Cameos in ‘Spinal Tap’ Sequel

Paul Stanley Thought His Latest Bout with the Flu Could’ve Been Deadly

Hall & Oates: Why Daryl Hall Got a Restraining Order on John Oates

Ozzy Osbourne + Geezer Butler: Rock’s Latest Unfortunate Feud

November 25, 1984: Band Aid Records ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’

5 Best Performances from the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert

Daryl Hall Sues John Oates, Gets Restraining Order

Axl Rose Accused of Sexual Assault From 1989 Incident

Sammy Hagar Does Not Want To Tour With David Lee Roth

8 Rock Songwriters Hall of Fame Nominees 2024

Record Store Day Black Friday 2023: 10 Titles to Check Out

Adam Sandler Debuted His Iconic ‘The Thanksgiving Song’ 31 Years Ago Today

Eric Johnson’s Favorite Rolling Stones Memories

Rolling Stones 2024 Tour Dates Announced

The Rolling Stones Are Coming To Philadelphia

Kirk Hammett: 10 Photos of Stellar ‘Guitar Face’

U2: Their 50 Best Songs, Ranked

5 of Rock’s Funniest Songs

AC/DC Fans Are Trying to Pull Off a Christmas Miracle

Why Heart’s Tour with John Mellencamp was ‘Uncomfortable’

Geddy Lee Recalls First Time Rush Heard Led Zeppelin

Kurt Cobain: Latest Strange Item Up for Auction is a Pack of Cigarettes

Sammy Hagar Invites David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen to Join Him on 2024 Tour

Geddy Lee on the Last Time He Saw Neil Peart

Beatles: ‘Now And Then’ Goes No. 1 in the U.K., Top 10 in the U.S.

Nikki Sixx Says His Family Has Been Targeted by Stalkers

Dolly Parton on Getting Skynyrd, But Not Zeppelin on Her Rock Album

102.9 MGK Mentioned in Country Song Lyrics

Rick Allen Says He’s Still Dealing with Trauma from Florida Assault

Geddy Lee Gives Rush Fans Hope with Recent Comments

Sesame Street: 6 Classic Performances from the Iconic Children’s Show

boygenius, Foo Fighters, Metallica Lead 2024 Grammy Rock/Alt. Noms

Motley Crue: Their 40 Best Songs, Ranked

Ozzy Osbourne Song Featured in New Teaser for Pixar’s ‘Inside Out 2’

KISS: Details on PPV for Final Farewell Tour Stop

Eagles: More Shows Added to Their Farewell Tour

Geddy Lee is Auctioning Part of His Killer Baseball Memorabilia

Load More
Beasley Media Group
Download our station app

Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before!

Download on the App Store Download on the Google Play
About
  • Sponsors
  • EEO
  • Terms of Service
  • Advertiser’s Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • FCC Public File
  • FCC Applications
Connect
  • Contact Us
  • How Can We Help You?
  • Contest Rules
  • WMGK Text Club
  • MGK’s Discount Deals
  • Beasley Best Community of Caring
  • Learn How to Advertise in Philadelphia
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram