Queen guitarist Brian May, the composer responsible for the riffs and solos on songs like We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody and One Vision, received his respect from the king – and shared a joke with the monarch.
Wednesday 15 March 2023 11:24 UK
Brian May has been knighted at Buckingham Palace – and joked with the King about holding his knees during the ceremony.
Queen The guitarist, who is behind some of the biggest and best-known riffs and solos in popular music on songs such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody and One Vision, also revealed that the band may tour again later in 2023.
Sir BrianThe 75, was recognized for his services to music and charity, and attended with his wife, Anita Dobson.
“I’m so happy, smiling from ear to ear, especially because it was KingWhich means a lot,” he said after the ceremony.
At 74, King is a year younger than the musician.
“We discussed the fact that we’re the same age and he was wondering if my knees were giving out for the kneeling part of the ceremony. I said: ‘Yeah, just about’,” she said. .
“To receive this award I feel like receiving approval, like when you get a gold star in school – maybe you’ve done something and you know what you’ve accomplished and if you To get the seal of approval from above, so it’s a great feeling, it’s very special.”
Queen has performed since 2011 with US star Adam Lambert, as well as other singers, following the frontman’s death. Freddie Mercury,
Sir Brian suffered a heart attack in 2020 but says he has been in good health since then.
“We’re thinking about touring, that’s all I can say,” Starr said. “I hope to stay in good health – at the moment I seem to be in pretty good health, which is always good. It has not been an easy road and there were times when I thought I would never do it again.
“But we’re all feeling fine so we’re looking to do some touring, and of course we tour at a top level and it’s a lot of energy and high demands on your fitness. If we get out in October or whatever Don’t go, I will work on my fitness from now on.”
This was not the first visit to Buckingham Palace for Sir Brian, who played a solo guitar version of God Save the Queen from the Roof during the Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Last year, they performed at Platinum Jubilee – in a set that saw Queen tapping out the beat of We Will Rock You on a cup of tea at the end of a famous sketch featuring Paddington Bear. The late Emperor’s introduction led to a live performance of the song.
Sir Bryan, who is also an astrophysicist and animal welfare advocate, was recognized alongside Sir Tom Scholar, the former Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, who became a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath; the UK Ambassador to Kiev, Dame Melinda Simmons, who received the honor for her services to British foreign policy; and saxophonist and broadcaster Yolnada Brown, who was made an OBE for services to music, music education and broadcasting.