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NOVEMBER 2007 |
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brianmay.com |
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**Tue 20 Nov 07** Brian's on the cover of the new issue of Guitar Player. Brian May features on the cover of the January 2008 issue of Guitar Player. Great article too. He talks about how he recorded several of the classic Queen songs (not just the hits, either). Thanks to Chris (brianmay@yahoogroups.com) © brianmay.com |
| **Tue 20 Nov 07**
Click cutting for larger QUEEN guitarist Brian May has been named as the new chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University. The musician, who was awarded a doctorate in astrophysics this year after finishing a thesis which he began before his pop career took off, takes the mantle from Cherie Booth, QC, who is stepping down after an extended seven-year tenure. May’s appointment comes following a unanimous decision by the University’s governing body. Pro-chancellor and chairman of the board, Sir Malcolm Thornton, said today: “Not only is Brian an icon in his own sphere, but he is a real academic star as well. He perfectly embodies the ‘can do’ attitude of JMU; he is going to be a great chancellor for the students and a wonderful figurehead for the University.” He will be installed as the fourth chancellor of JMU during a special ceremony early in the new year. May said he was already planning to visit the JMU telescope in La Palma soon. He said: “This is a great honour and a great new challenge for me. I am already familiar with the JMU Astrophysics team and I agree wholeheartedly with the JMU ethos of dream, plan, achieve – such simple words but they summarise perfectly the educational experience that JMU provides. “This is the start of my journey with JMU, and I am looking forward to discovering more about the university.” May’s fellowship was awarded by the university in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts, but more significantly for encouraging the public understanding of science following publication of his renowned book Bang! The Complete History of the Universe. May co-authored the book with Chris Lintott and Sir Patrick Moore – also a Fellow of JMU. The virtuoso guitarist studied Astrophysics at Imperial College, London and gained his BSc before progressing to a PhD. He put his academic career on hold to concentrate on his musical ambitions with Queen and more than 30 years later, in October, 2007, completed his PhD thesis and was awarded his doctorate. Vice-chancellor and chief executive, Professor Michael Brown said: “Brian May is an intensely talented individual who achieved global success with Queen. “In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment.” © brianmay.com |
**Tue 20 Nov 07** Photo: May became an honorary fellow Queen star Brian May has been named as the next chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University. The guitarist will begin the role in February, taking over from former Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie. May said he would be celebrating "with a delicious vegetarian roast and a glass of choice dessert wine". May was awarded a doctorate in astrophysics earlier this year, 36 years after abandoning his thesis to pursue a career with Queen. The musician became an honorary fellow of the university earlier this year for his contribution to the arts and encouraging public understanding of science. 'Challenge' His duties will include presiding over graduation ceremonies and representing the university on special occasions. "This is a great honour and a great new challenge for me," May said. "I am looking forward to discovering more about the University and the people that make LJMU such a unique place of learning." Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Michael Brown, said May was "an intensely talented individual". "In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who has fame, fortune and universal acclaim and yet who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment," he said. May was awarded his PhD for his 48,000 word thesis, A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud in August. He has also co-authored a book, Bang! The Complete History of the Universe, with Sir Patrick Moore. © brianmay.com |
**Tue 20 Nov 07** Brian May has been appointed Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), it has been confirmed.. The Queen guitarist, who is taking over from Cherie Booth QC, is due to take up his position in February next year. In a statement May said: "The way my life is at the moment, I probably didn't need another challenge, but this one was irresistible! "I have a great feeling for the university and the dedicated people who run it, and I am convinced there is an opportunity here to go where no one has been before. "I understand Cherie Booth QC was very active in the life of the university, and I hope to be a worthy successor." When asked if he'll be marking the occasion, he said: "Yes, I will be celebrating tonight. How? With a delicious vegetarian roast, and a glass of choice desert wine!" The former Prime Minister's wife held the position of Chancellor from 1999 to 2006. In July this year, Brian May was made an Honorary Fellow of LJMU during the University's graduation ceremonies. His Fellowship was awarded in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts, and for encouraging the public understanding of science following publication of his book Bang! The Complete History of the Universe. May co-authored the book with Chris Lintott and Sir Patrick Moore, who is also a Fellow of LJMU. © brianmay.com |
**Mon 19 Nov 07** Readers may care to know that Jimmy page donating tickets for the LZ concert, to benefit the ABC Trust, of which Brian May is a fellow Patron.... UNDERCOVER Led Zeppelin guitarist and founder, Jimmy Page, has donated three pairs of tickets to the upcoming Led Zeppelin concert in London to benefit the ABC Trust (Action for Brazil's Children). Page and his wife Jimena are patrons of ABC. The charity raises awareness and funding for bringing education, support and inspiration to the vulnerable kids in Brazil. Bids for the tickets can be placed at www.seatwave.com/led-zeppelin-tickets/season. The current bids at time of publication as £6100, £6000 and £5350. Brazil has one of the worst situations for children in the world. More than 7 million children live on the streets in the country. Their lives revolve around begging, drugs and prostitution. The ABC Trust raises funds to redirect the children into creative activities such as dance, film, drama and music. Other patrons of the charity include singer Bebel Gilberto, director Fernando Meirelles and Queen musician Brian May. The winning bidders will each receive two tickets to the Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert at the O2 Arena in London on December 10. The tickets will include entry to the after-show party. The Page's have been involved with the charity for the past 10 years. The auction will close at midday on Friday November 30th. © brianmay.com |
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The lead guitarist and songwriter for Queen, who recently completed his much-delayed PhD in astrophysics, succeeds Cherie Booth QC as ceremonial head of the institution. Earlier this year, May was made an honorary fellow of the university for his contribution to the arts and encouraging the public understanding of science through his book Bang! the Complete History of the Universe, co-authored with Chris Lintott and Sir Patrick Moore. Previous works included We Will Rock You, Fat Bottomed Girls, Tie Your Mother Down, I Want It All and Who Wants To Live Forever. But his website mixes music and astrophysics; May's blog today deals with the hyperbolic orbits of interstellar particles, for instance. The chairman of the university's board, Sir Malcolm Thornton, said: "Not only is Brian an icon in his own sphere but he is a real academic star, as well. He perfectly embodies the 'can do' attitude of LJMU. He is going to be a great chancellor for the students and a wonderful figurehead for the university." The rockstar is a long-standing supporter of the university's Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI), whose research, work with schoolchildren and development of robotic telescopes earned a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2005 (from Her Majesty rather than the group). A postgraduate student at Imperial College, May put his academic career on hold to pursue musical fame. But more than 30 years later, in July this year, he completed his PhD thesis, A survey of radial velocities in the zodiacal dust cloud, and was awarded his doctorate last month. Prof Michael Brown, LJMU vice-chancellor, said: "In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who has fame, fortune and universal acclaim and yet who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment. "When Brian returned to his studies and completed his PhD this year, he earned the respect of students and academics the world over." May said: "Of course, I am already familiar with the LJMU astrophysics team and their work with robotic telescopes and I look forward to visiting the LJMU telescope in La Palma very soon. "I agree wholeheartedly with the LJMU ethos of dream, plan, achieve - such simple words but they summarise perfectly the educational experience that LJMU provides, changing people's lives and helping individuals to reach their goals and realise their dreams." He follows Booth, the leading Liverpudlian lawyer and wife of the former prime minister Tony Blair, who held the position of chancellor for seven years from 1999 to 2006. Established in 1999, the ARI was awarded the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education in 2005 for developing the world's largest and most sophisticated ground-based robotic telescopes. © brianmay.com |
Mon 19 Nov 07** International Herald Tribune - France LONDON: Rock star and astrophysicist Brian May has been appointed chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, the university said Monday. The Queen guitarist will be installed as the university's figurehead leader early next year. May, 60, was awarded a Ph.D from Imperial College London in August for his thesis "Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud." He is already an honorary fellow of Liverpool John Moores University, which has a well known astrophysics research institute. May was an astrophysics student at Imperial College when he joined Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor to form Queen in 1970, but dropped his doctorate as the glam rock band became successful. Queen became one of the biggest British groups of the 1970s, with hits including "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Will Rock You." May continued to pursue his interest in astronomy and last year co-authored a book on the subject, "Bang! The Complete History of the Universe." May said the university appointment was "a great honor and a great new challenge." He succeeds Cherie Booth, wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, as chancellor of John Moores University, which was formed in 1992 from the former Liverpool Polytechnic. "Brian May is an intensely talented individual who achieved global success with Queen," said the university's vice chancellor, Michael Brown. "In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who has fame, fortune and universal acclaim and yet who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment." © brianmay.com |
**Mon 19 Nov 07** Dr Brian May CBE has been confirmed as the new Chancellor for Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) following a unanimous decision by the University’s Board of Governors.
Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Board, Sir Malcolm Thornton said today: “On behalf of the Governing Body of Liverpool John Moores University, I am delighted to announce that Brian May will be the new Chancellor of LJMU. Not only is Brian an icon in his own sphere but he is a real academic star as well. He perfectly embodies the ‘can do’ attitude of LJMU; he is going to be a great Chancellor for the students and a wonderful figurehead for the University.” Brian May’s involvement with the University began earlier this year when he was awarded the University’s highest honour, becoming an Honorary Fellow during LJMU’s summer graduation ceremonies. His Fellowship was awarded in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts, but more significantly for encouraging the public understanding of science following publication of his renowned book Bang! The Complete History of the Universe. Dr May co-authored the book with Chris Lintott and Sir Patrick Moore; Patrick Moore is also a Fellow of LJMU and a long standing supporter of the University’s internationally acclaimed Astrophysics Research Institute, whose world-class research, work with schoolchildren, and development of robotic telescopes earned them a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2005. Brian studied Astrophysics at Imperial College, London and gained his BSc before progressing to a PhD. He put his academic career on hold to concentrate on his musical ambitions and more than 30 years later, in October 2007, Brian completed his PhD thesis A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud and was awarded his doctorate. Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Michael Brown commented: “Brian May is an intensely talented individual who achieved global success with Queen. In this age of celebrity culture, it is rare to find someone who has fame, fortune and universal acclaim and yet who remains true to his core values of learning and enlightenment. When Brian returned to his studies and completed his PhD this year he earned the respect of students and academics the world over. Brian is a man of the utmost integrity and we are honoured and privileged that he has agreed to become our Chancellor.” Brian follows Cherie Booth QC who held the position of Chancellor for an extended period of seven years from 1999 to 2006. Cherie Booth continues as an active and committed ambassador for the University in her role as Chancellor Emeritus. Cherie Booth comments: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Brian May as my successor. At LJMU we sum up our ethos in three words: Dream, Plan, Achieve. It is a driving force that perfectly represents the ambitions of our students and our academics. Brian certainly had a dream and nothing deterred him from achieving his PhD, I am sure that he will be a real champion for LJMU and a tremendous role model and inspiration for all of our students.” The University’s Chancellor plays a vital role in raising the profile of the institution acting as an ambassador for the University and its staff and students. Professor Brown comments: “In many universities, the role of Chancellor is largely ceremonial, however, at LJMU whilst the Chancellor is clearly a figurehead, the role is much more than that and the Chancellor Emeritus, Cherie Booth, made an enormous contribution to the University during her tenure. LJMU is currently going through a period of immense change and we recently announced a far reaching and ambitious strategy to develop the experience we offer students in terms of skills development. Brian has been tremendously encouraging in this development and declared himself a true ally in our ambitions.” Brian May will be installed as the fourth Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University during a special ceremony early in the new year. Brian May comments: “This is a great honour and a great new challenge for me. Of course, I am already familiar with the LJMU Astrophysics team and their work with robotic telescopes and I look forward to visiting the LJMU telescope in La Palma very soon. I agree wholeheartedly with the LJMU ethos of dream, plan, achieve – such simple words but they summarise perfectly the educational experience that LJMU provides, changing people’s lives and helping individuals to reach their goals and realise their dreams. I am completely committed to what LJMU terms the ‘WOW’ factor – the World of Work programme that is integral to all of their degree programmes. This is the start of my journey with LJMU and I am looking forward to discovering more about the University and the people that make LJMU such a unique place of learning.” © brianmay.com |
**Mon 19 Nov 07** In 2002… Queen guitarist Brian May received an honorary doctorate from Hertfordshire University in Britain. © brianmay.com |
**Sun 18 Nov 07** THE CHRONICLE HERALD A highlight of the competition was meeting guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor of Queen, says the fan of the Brit rockers. The superstars performed Bohemian Rhapsody with the cast of We Will Rock You and the top-seven Idol competitors sang The Show Must Go On during the encore of the megamusical at the Canon Theatre in Toronto. "To hear Brian May ripping that solo for 2,000 people was incredible," says Melo, who performed Too Much Love Will Kill You for the show. © brianmay.com |
**Sat 17 Nov 07** Check out this link (Sat 17 Nov) for a surprise LPOD !! http://www.lpod.org/?m=20071117 We can now reveal that Brian features with a Comet Holmes image on the prestigious "Lunar Photo of the Day" site. Wow!!! Published!!! © brianmay.com |
**Thu 15 Nov 07** Last evening (14 November), Brian May was guest speaker for the Annual Alumni Lecture at Imperial College, London, held on the South Kensington Campus. Brian gave an interesting, illustrated talk entitled "Zodiacal Dust and Stuff" (see previous report HERE), an overview of his thesis research and touching on global awareness issues. After the talk, Brian answered questions from the audience. The event was open exclusively to Imperial alumni - past and present students and graduates of the college, and it is believed was fully subscribed. Early reports indicate Brian's presentation was ethusiastically received and found to be absorbing, personal and inspiring, with closing advice: to choose a path and to move in big steps in life, otherwise no one gets anywhere, and that path may well bring you round to the same place as another path may have led led. The event concluded with a drinks reception. © brianmay.com |
**Sat 10 Nov 07**
Furia [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC) - available at amazon © brianmay.com |
**Tue 06 Nov 07* No - not as a contestant, but as shown in footage on Strictly Come Dancing last weekend, Anita Dobson popped into the rehearsal dance studio to pay a visit and offer encouragement to her pal, Letitia Dean. Brave Letitia is shaping up marvellously well and visibly growing in confidence and skill in this competitiona and could well make it to the final, given viewer support. Anita and Letitia played screen Mum and Daughter on EastEnders soap together for many years. Go Letitia !!!! © brianmay.com |
**Mon 05 Nov 07** 8 (5) Meat Loaf - 3 Bats Live (Mercury) Brian is shown in the making of of the album Bat Out of Hell III in the double DVD bonus. On this album Brian plays guitar on Bad For Good - but from 1987 they also show Brian together with Meat for the official single of Special Olympics "It's A Time for Heroes". (Thanks to Cedric) Meat Loaf - 3 Bats Live (Special Edition) Format: PAL | Region: Region 2 (DVD formats) © brianmay.com |
**Thu 01 Nov 07**
To coincide with the release of Queen Rock Montreal on DVD, CD and vinyl and download you can also now download a Now Play It tutorial to learn how to play the beautiful "Love Of My Life". The download gives you two LITE tutorials. Both feature live performances of the classic Queen track "Love Of My Life". The first tutorial features live footage of Freddie Mercury and Brian May playing an epic rendition to a Montreal crowd of 18,000 in 1981. The second tutorial includes an exclusive edit of a recent live performance of the song with lots of close-ups of Brian May's hands and detailed information about all of the chords These two versions of the beautifully emotional Queen track will not only satisfy the budding guitarists out there, but are also a must see for any serious Queen fan! The tutorials are ideal for the more advanced guitar players, particularly those who are looking to improve their fingerpicking. They also make great acoustic tutorials as the song itself is at a relatively slow pace. Despite this, it covers a huge variety of chords from basic positions to far more complex shapes. You will notice that Brian plays a lot of chords using the left hand to fret the bass notes. If you feel uncomfortable with this, feel free to play conventional bar chords instead. In addition, this is a superb example of how to structure, write and perform a great track that necessitates nothing more than the purity and relative simplicity of an acoustic guitar! You may notice that for "Love Of My Life", Brian plays a twelve string acoustic, however, the song is perfectly suited for any six string guitar. If you do happen to own a twelve string, you can re - string it in the same manner that Brian does by having the thicker string of each set above the thinner string to make the higher notes available to you when you pick upwards and the lower ones available when you pick downwards. (TUTORIAL DURATIONS: 06.38 Mins / 07.37 Mins) Other Now Play It / Lite tutorials available currently are: Visit the Queen artist page HERE, to preview or download these tutorials. © brianmay.com |
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In addition to Queen's current DVD No 2 Chart triumph this week - we hear that Brian features on yet another chart DVD.
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