Queen guitarist Brian May among those honored at Buckingham Palace

Sir Brian May will be among those recognized at Buckingham Palace after he is knighted in the New Year Honours.

As the virtuoso guitarist for the rock band Queen, the 75-year-old is responsible for some of the biggest riffs in popular music, from the solo on Don’t Stop Me Now to the melodic strums on Somebody To Love.

Along with the late frontman Freddie Mercury, bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor, he scored numerous number one hits during the group’s 1980s heyday, touring the world.

Royalty - Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee
Queen guitarist Brian May plays the national anthem from the roof of Buckingham Palace to kick off the second concert to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The musician, astrophysicist and animal welfare advocate is being recognized for his services to music and charity.

Sir Brian is no stranger to Buckingham Palace, having performed during the Golden Jubilee in 2002, playing a lead guitar version of God Save The Queen from the roof of the famous royal residence.

In June last year, he performed at the Platinum Jubilee, where the late monarch played the We Will Rock You beat over a cup of tea at the end of a skit with Paddington Bear.

There is also a prestigious honor on Tuesday for former Permanent Treasury Secretary Sir Tom Scholar, who becomes Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath after being summarily sacked by Prime Minister Liz Truss on his first day at the post.

UK Ambassador to kyiv Dame Melinda Simmons will be awarded a dame for her services to British foreign policy.

Saxophonist and broadcaster YolanDa Brown will become an OBE for services to music, music education and broadcasting.

Originally from Barking in London, the 40-year-old’s music brings together reggae, jazz and soul, and she has collaborated with acts including Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones and Rick Astley.

Source

Leave a Reply