Brian May’s surprise Coachella entry receives an underwhelming response: Everything you need to know about the Queen legend

Queen’s legendary guitarist Brian May returned to the music festival stage at Coachella 2025, seven months after surviving a minor stroke that temporarily paralyzed his left arm. He made a surprise entry during Benson Boone's performance on Friday. As Boone sat at the piano to perform Queen's classic 1975 single 'Bohemian Rhapsody, the 77-year-old guitarist emerged on the stage. "Brain May, everybody!" Boone exclaimed in excitement, however, the audience had a rather underwhelming response.

Netizens are irked by the lackluster response by the California audience. “If this was a UK crowd, you would not have been able to hear anything after Brian came out. I don't think people realize the true significance of who he is,” a TikTok user said. Brits are really upset by the underwhelming response, and one wrote, "Right concert, wrong crowd."
If you are a devoted fan, or not there are still things you may not know about May. Here’s everything you need to know about Brian May, his music, and his penchant for science!

Who is Brian May?

One of the greatest guitarists in rock history, Brian May's name is synonymous with rock and roll excellence. A renowned musician, best known as the lead guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Queen, May's interest extends beyond music. Born in Hampton, London, Brian May is the only child of Ruth Irving (née Fletcher) and Harold May, who worked as a draughtsman at the Ministry of Aviation. His father was English, and his mother was Scottish.
Brian's penchant for music began at the age of 6, when he learned a few chords on the ukulele from his father, who was a music enthusiast. He started playing guitar and taking piano lessons.
In 1955, his father brought a Lonnie Donegan record, which ignited May's interest in music. Music aside, May was also studious. He also performed with bands during his school days.

As a teenager, he would borrow a guitar to play. His family was unable to afford one, which is when they decided to make one. In the spring of 1963, May and his father built one. Building an electric guitar was no joke, and it took almost 18 months to build the most famous guitars in the history of rock 'n' roll! "I like a big neck – thick, flat, and wide. I lacquered the fingerboard with Rustin's Plastic Coating. The tremolo is interesting in that the arm's made from an old bicycle saddle bag carrier, the knob at the end's off a knitting needle and the springs are valve springs from an old motorbike,” May earlier said. An instrument unlike any, the Red Special, also adds to his unique style.


Prior to forming the iconic band Queen, he formed Smile which kickstarted his music career. Smile had local success, but it wasn't until Queen, formed in 1970, that the world started to know about May. Well, then the rest is history. He has birthed some iconic songs including 'We Will Rock You,' 'Fat Bottomed Girls,' 'Save Me,' 'The Show Must Go On,' and 'Who Wants to Live Forever' - all of which are going to live in our hearts forever.
Astrophysicist Brian May
Well, this may come as a surprise for many, but Brian May is also an astrophysicist. He has a doctorate in astrophysics from Imperial College. He earned a PhD studying zodiacal dust.

Brian May studied physics and mathematics at Imperial College London and graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree and ARCS in physics with Upper Second-Class Honours. He did his PhD from 1970 to 1974. But later Queen happened, and he had to focus on music.

Brian May's family
Brian May married Christine Mullen in 1976, but got separated in 1988. They have three children together - Jimmy May, Louisa May, and Emily Ruth May. In 1986, he met actress Anita Dobson, and they got married in 2000, and have been together ever since.