Sir Brian May has always been outspoken on any topic he feels passionate about, be it politics and Brexit, or the protection of British wildlife and abolition of fox hunting. As a man of great artistic individuality and moral integrity, the guitarist of British rock band Queen has never shied away from speaking his mind. Now 78 and still actively performing, May has used his platform to speak out at a new issue – the current societal landscape in the United States of America.

Speaking to Richard Eden of the Daily Mail, May said “America is a dangerous place at the moment, so you have to take that into account.” Indeed, since the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term as president in January last year, British touring acts have been apprehensive to cross the pond. The US has been plagued by mass shootings and assassinations of prominent figures, violence in the pursuit of expelling illegal immigrants, and Trump’s economic warfare costing the average citizen more each week. This has all created an ever-deepening civil unrest on American streets, with both domestic and international tensions reaching a fever-pitch.

May goes on to say “it’s very sad because I feel like Queen grew up in America, and we love it, but it’s not what it was. Everyone is thinking twice about going there at the moment.” He’s not wrong, Queen have been incredibly popular in the US, having had 2 number one hits with ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ and ‘A Crazy Little Thing Called Love’, their international mega-hit ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ falling short at second place. They have spent 346 weeks on Billboard’s Artist 100, with five successive top 10 albums between 1975 and 1980, when ‘The Game’ got them their first US number one record.

His remarks this week follow a public conflict the band had with the US President during his first term in 2020. Trump has drawn criticism from many acts for using their music without permission for his rallies and campaign videos, with notable examples like Bruce Springsteen refusing to humour his use of ‘Born In The USA’. In this instance, Queen attempted to withdraw usage of their songs ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘We Are The Champions’ due to disagreements with Trump’s policy.

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Queen are currently on a pause from recording and touring since wrapping their Rhapsody tour, which ran from 2019 to 2024 and made two laps of the States. After frontman Freddie Mercury’s passing in 1991, they have performed since 2011 with American Idol star Adam Lambert as vocalist. While the last Queen + Adam Lambert show was in Tokyo in 2024, May’s last public performance was with Queen drummer Roger Taylor at The Last Night Of The Proms in September 2025.

Earlier this year Sir Brian also announced he would never play Glastonbury Festival, due to objections with how its organisers at Worthy Farm treated their local wildlife. Amidst the uncertainty of Queen’s immediate future, he has hinted that things are far from over. Again speaking to the Daily Mail, he made allusions to new music and potential shows, saying “Never say never about not coming back, the rebuild of Queen Two is coming back, and there are a couple of things you haven’t heard.”

The song was originally recorded during sessions for Queen’s 1974 album ‘Queen II’, however, it didn’t make the final cut. The remastered version is set to feature in the upcoming 2026 release of the album.

While a bootleg version of the song may have already circulated online by Brian’s pre-Queen band, Smile, the guitarist has said that “no-one” has heard this version.

Sir Brain said, “It’s a song that goes back a very long way, but to my knowledge no one has ever heard this version. It’s a work in progress and will appear on the forthcoming rebuild of the Queen II album – coming next year – but I’m sneaking this into my Planet Rock special because I’m fascinated to know what people think about it.”

Fans will be able to hear the song for the first time during Sir Brian’s Planet Rock Christmas Special at 6pm tonight. The radio special, which will also be repeated on Christmas Day, will also include a hand-picked selection of Sir Brian’s favourite Christmas and seasonal tracks. The musician will also reflect on the music, stories and memories that have shaped his own Christmases over the last few years.

Fans can expect a range of tunes from Bad News to Slade, Chuck Berry and The Crystals, including a Christmas hit by Sir Brian’s wife, singer and actress Anita Dobson.

Formed in the 1970s, Queen was made up of guitarist Sir Brian, drummer Roger Taylor, late frontman Freddie Mercury and bassist John Deacon. The group has since had six UK number one singles and 10 UK number one albums with some of their best known songs including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Killer Queen’, ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’, and ‘We Are The Champions’.

They won multiple BRIT Awards, including Outstanding Contribution to Music, recognising their lasting influence on British culture. The band were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, celebrating their historic impact. Queen also earned several Ivor Novello Awards for songwriting excellence. In 2020, they received the BRIT Billion Award for surpassing one billion UK streams, underlining their enduring popularity across generations.

Earlier this year Queen were named the most played rock act on UK radio and TV in the 21st century, according to the music licensing company, Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL).

Brian May’s Planet Rock Christmas Special will air on Planet Rock tonight at 6pm, with a repeat broadcast on Christmas Day at 1pm.

According to the statistics, the band have accumulated over 400 million seconds of airplay on tv and radio. This is equivalent to a whopping 12 and a half years of nonstop listening, ‘Its A Kind Of Magic’, taking the cake as the top track.

According to the company themselves: “PPL, which licenses recorded music for use on UK radio and television, and in public spaces such as bars, restaurants and gyms, compiled the chart using extensive airplay reporting data from radio and TV broadcasters across the country.” 

The top ten was released as well, with the following acts co-dominating our ears since the year 2000.

1 Queen

2 David Bowie 

3 U2

4 Oasis 

5 Fleetwood Mac 

6 Stereophonics 

7 The Rolling Stones 

8 The Police 

9 The Killers

10 Kings of Leon  

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Peter Leathem, the CEO of PPL, spoke on the importance of a study like this

He said “This chart underlines how rock music across the decades continues to thrive on UK airwaves. Congratulations to Queen on this great accolade in such a significant anniversary year for their first number one album.”

“It’s a testament to their expansive and much-loved music catalogue that they continue to mean so much to UK audiences to this very day.“

Former Queen guitarist Brian May spoke about the achievement

He said: “Astounding news! Bearing in mind that most of Queen’s major works were done in the 20th century, it’s amazing to top a 21st century list. Big thanks to all our fans.”

Queen are set to release a 50th anniversary vinyl reissue of ‘A Night At The Opera,’ the iconic album featuring the legendary hit “Bohemian Rhapsody”,  on National Album Day, October 18. The special edition will be issued globally on crystal clear vinyl with gold labels.

He added, “It would be nice to create something new. I wouldn’t dismiss the idea. Adam has told us, ‘If you ever want me to sing on something…’ So if the three of us agree to go for it, I’d absolutely be on board.”

The collaboration between May, Taylor, and Adam Lambert dates back to American Idol in May 2009, when they performed “We Are The Champions” together. They reunited in 2011 at the MTV European Music Awards in Belfast, Ireland, delivering a high-energy eight-minute performance of “The Show Must Go On,” “We Will Rock You,” and “We Are The Champions.” By the summer of 2012, Lambert had taken the stage with QUEEN for a series of European shows, including performances in Russia, Ukraine, and Poland. Since then, they have toured extensively, headlining major festivals across the globe.

Despite their success as a live act, Lambert has previously expressed reservations about recording new music with QUEEN. In a 2019 interview with Hunger magazine, he admitted: “People always ask if we want to record together, but I’m not sure it would make total sense. To me, QUEEN is Freddie. What I love most is collaborating, putting these concerts together, and creating on stage—it’s incredibly rewarding. When I bring new ideas to these two legends and they like them, that’s the best part.”

May has previously praised Lambert as the only singer capable of doing justice to QUEEN’s extensive catalog since Freddie Mercury’s passing in 1991 due to AIDS-related complications. “Adam is the first person we’ve worked with who can handle the entire QUEEN catalog without hesitation,” May stated. “He is a gift from God.” Taylor echoed those sentiments, saying: “He’s incredibly musical, and we certainly take anything he says very seriously.”

For his part, Lambert has always been careful to differentiate himself from Mercury. “There’s never going to be another, and I’m not replacing him,” he explained. “That’s not what this is about. I want to keep his memory alive and remind people of how incredible he was—without trying to imitate him. My goal is to show audiences just how much he inspired me.”

Five years ago, in an interview with Classic Rock magazine, May and Taylor admitted that they had attempted to record a song with Lambert but ultimately decided against releasing it. “We did record a song that we never actually finished,” Taylor revealed at the time. “I can’t even remember what it was called. I think we were still debating the name.” May added, “It was a track we tried adapting from a friend’s original idea. It had potential, but we just couldn’t quite crack it.”

Taylor has remained open to the idea of a new QUEEN album featuring Lambert. Meanwhile, in 2022, QUEEN released a rediscovered song, “Face It Alone,” which featured Mercury’s vocals.

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Formed in 1997, Five quickly rose to fame with their energetic blend of pop and hip-hop, achieving global sales of over 20 million records. Their debut album, ‘5ive‘ (1998), featured hits like ‘Slam Dunk (Da Funk)‘ and ‘When the Lights Go Out‘. The band’s follow-up album, ‘Invincible‘ (1999), included chart-toppers such as ‘Keep On Movin’‘ and their collaboration with Queen on ‘We Will Rock You‘, both securing the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart.

The ‘Keep On Movin’ 2025 Tour’ is set to commence on October 31, 2025, in Brighton and will cover major cities including Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, London, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and Glasgow. The tour will also feature special guest performances by DJ and producer Naughty Boy. In their Instagram post, the band said: “This has been a long time coming and it really does feel right for all of us now. 25 years on and we’re so ready for it. We really can’t wait to get back on stage together and see you all in person, it’s gonna go OFF!”

Well and truly in my Five reunion era been a long time coming (*NSYNC I’m looking at you next!)
— (@nsyncnationuk) February 24, 2025

This reunion not only celebrates Five’s enduring legacy in the pop music scene but also offers long-time fans an opportunity to relive the vibrant energy and memorable hits that defined the late ’90s and early 2000s. Tickets are scheduled to go on general sale at 10 am on Friday, March 7, 2025. A presale will be available from 10 am on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, for fans who register via the band’s official website. Given the anticipated high demand, early registration is recommended to secure attendance.

Queen’s original lineup consisted of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon and was formed in London in 1970. Renowned for their eclectic musical style, dramatic live shows, and innovative recordings, the band embraced a vast array of genres, including rock, pop, opera, heavy metal, and progressive rock.

With over 300 million records sold worldwide, Queen has earned global recognition and legendary status throughout their career, earning an induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, a decade after the tragic death of their iconic frontman, Freddie Mercury.

The unique artistry of each band member shines through on ‘A Night At The Opera’, showcasing Queen’s versatility and creativity. The centrepiece of the album, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, is a six-minute opus blending opera, rock, and ballandry, featuring complex vocal harmonies and an unforgettable guitar solo by Brian May.While this iconic track stands out, it sits alongside other equally innovative songs, including John Deacon’s heartfelt pop-rock anthem ‘You’re My Best Friend’, Mercury’s emotional ballad and live staple ‘Love of My Life’, and the progressive rock epic ‘The Prophet’s Song’ with its experimental vocal effects and dark themes.

The album’s thematic diversity reflects Queen’s ability to blend deep emotion with theatrical flair, incorporating a multitude of emotions including betrayal (‘Death on Two Legs’) and devoted love (‘You’re My Best Friend’ and ‘Love of My Life’). It delves into deeper topics like mortality (‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘The Prophet’s Song’) and complex human relationships (‘Sweet Lady’ and ‘Good Company’) while also offering lighthearted nostalgia (‘Seaside Rendezvous’ and ‘Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon’). Their masterful balance of these profound themes makes the album a layered exploration of human complexity.  

Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Queen, ‘A Night At The Opera’ was rumoured to be the most expensive album ever made at the time, due to months of recording and experimentation. The band employed cutting-edge techniques like overdubbing and multi-track recording to create its intricate vocal arrangements and lush instrumental textures, all without the use of synthesisers – every effect was achieved through guitars and studio innovation. 

#QueenTheGreatest A Night At The Opera – Make or Break!
Considered by many to be their best album, Queen’s perilous financial situation at the time made this an incredibly risky leap of faith, creating a make or break moment for the band.
Watch Nowhttps://t.co/YuY0rMemuH pic.twitter.com/PZjamuqHOE

— Queen (@QueenWillRock) April 16, 2021

However, ‘A Night At The Opera’ quickly recouped its production costs as it soared to the top of the charts worldwide, reaching the Top Five in multiple countries including Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. Its ambitious artistry and genre-defying sound continue to influence musicians across genres with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ still regarded as one of the most iconic songs in history. Nearly 50 years later, the album remains a cultural pillar and is often cited as one of the greatest records of all time, cementing Queen’s status as rock royalty.  

The anniversary of this historic achievement follows hints at new music from Roger Taylor and Brian May, marking the potential return of original material after nearly three decades. They concluded their ‘The Rhapsody’ Tour, a celebration of the band’s legacy that followed the success of biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, in Tokyo earlier this year. 

Don’t miss the music movie event of the YEAR! Watch #BohemianRhapsody again and again – now on Blu-ray and DVD. https://t.co/pVXQOwpTNS pic.twitter.com/qMg3YW6I8O — Bohemian Rhapsody (@BoRhapMovie) February 17, 2019

In an interview with Uncut magazine, Taylor expressed an openness to creating new songs, saying “We can still play. We can still sing. So I don’t see why not.”

In recent years, the band have released ‘Face it Alone’, a previously unheard track featuring Freddie Mercury’s world-renowned vocals from sessions for their 1989 album ‘The Miracle’, and a new mix of ‘The Night Comes Down’ as part of their debut album’s 50th anniversary. These releases demonstrate the band’s commitment to revisiting and revitalising their early work, and have sparked excitement about the possibility of new music in the future. While no official announcements have been made about a new album, Taylor’s comments suggest that new chapters in Queen’s musical legacy could be on the horizon. 

Queen’s lasting legacy, exemplified by groundbreaking albums like ‘A Night at the Opera’ and their ongoing exploration of new music, is as a testament to their unparalleled artistry. The day they topped the UK Charts in 1975 marked a defining moment in rock history, showcasing their ability to blend innovation and emotion into timeless music. As they continue to evolve, the prospect of new material from Queen’s surviving members reaffirms their position as one of the most influential and enduring forces in music.

This would turn over an astronomical profit for the potential buyers, cashing in when any of the lyrics are used in films and adverts and heard on the radio making them an enticing acquisition. If Sony Music acquires the rights then they would secure the royalties from all recorded songs included in the contract, as well as any profit from merchandise and licensing and most importantly, any earnings from the prizewinning biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody‘ which took home 7 BAFTAS, 2 golden Globes and 32 more awards internationally with 81 overall nominations after its release.

The band’s legendary song by the same name (Bohemian Rhapsody) is one of the most streamed rock songs of all time and became the most streamed song of the 20th century in 2018 according to the Guardian. Of course, due to their inconceivable level of success, the remaining members of Queen are requesting an offer of over $1bn from potential investors. If finalised, this sale will be ‘one of the biggest ever deals of its kind’ according to the report by Bloomberg. According to American Songwriter, Queen have sold over 300 million albums and obtained nine top twenty hits in the band’s lifetime so the valuation of the rights seems justified.

This isn’t the first time some of the most revered artists of our time have sold their life’s work, in recent years the greats such as Bob Dylan, Cher, Stevie Nicks, and Blondie have all traded in the licence’s to their songs for cash. Bruce Springsteen even sold his catalog for more than $500 million dollars to Sony Music in 2021. But why do artists split with the right to their music and songs?

It’s hard to escape the buzz surrounding Taylor Swift and more specifically her re-recordings. Famously, she is re-recording her entire discography that was recorded under Big Machine Records (which encompasses albums 1-6) during the former 15 years or of her career. With massive artists like Swift pushing a discourse around the importance of owning your creative work, why are so many of the GOAT’s choosing to cash in on the music that has defined generations?

In an article written by the Rolling Stone in 2021 it is stated that for musicians, selling their discographies  ‘rids artists’ lives of several unpalatable uncertainties’ such as the influx of music making it’s way onto streaming platforms today The article asks, with so many options for what we listen to and how we listen to it, ‘How can today’s veteran singer/songwriters be certain they’re going to remain as resolutely popular in 2031, or 2041, as they are in 2021?’ For older artists such as Bob Dylan, planning for the stability and distribution of wealth to his kin may have come into play, Queen have been an active band for the past 5 decades so it is no jump to assume that this could be a factor in their decision to sell.

All in all, it is an exciting time for the band and lucky for fans, we will still get to relish in the glam-rock of one of the greats in the same capacity as we always have.

Day 3 of the festival did not disappoint, as The Offspring stunned audiences with their hits such as ‘Come Out And Play’, and ‘Self-Esteem’. Brian May them graced them with his presence for ‘Gone Away’, and a cover of his own Queen song, ‘Stone Cold Crazy’ alongside the iconic punk band The Offspring for a once in a lifetime performance.

May was also found on stage with Jean-Michel Jarre, the iconic French composer and performer, who holds the record for hosting the most attended performance in history. He joined Jarre on the opening night of the festival, and performed a number of songs with him, including: ‘Deuxième Rendez-Vous’, ‘Last Horizon’, and another Queen cover, ‘Brighton Rock’.

The festival is known as the “world’s largest science, music and other arts festival” and is part of the Sonic Universe concert, after the Stephen Hawking Medal Ceremony, in partnership with ESET, Brian May, a secret astrophysicist, is also co-founder of the festival. This year, the focus of the events was on Planet Earth, featuring four days of exciting lectures. During the festival, they also brought the world renowned Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication, which awards individuals in Science Writing, Films & Entertainment, Lifetime Achievement, and Music and Arts. The winners of these awards are decided by the Starmus Advisory Board, which is made up of high-ranking individuals such as: Peter Gabriel, Brian May, and Garik Israelian. Additionally, the festival collaborates with universities and institutions in Slovakia, such as the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Slovak University of Technology, allowing Starmus to fulfil its “City Program” and providing opportunities for volunteers to be part of the festival.

When asked his thoughts on the recent advancements in AI platforms, the 76-year-old expressed his fear on it’s potential impact and how he thinks AI could change the music industry for the worse.

May told the magazine, “My major concern with it now is in the artistic area. I think by this time next year the landscape will be completely different. We won’t know which way is up. We won’t know what’s been created by AI and what’s been created by humans,”

He continued, “Everything is going to get very blurred and very confusing, and I think we might look back on 2023 as the last year when humans really dominated the music scene. I really think it could be that serious, and that doesn’t fill me with joy. It makes me feel apprehensive, and I’m preparing to feel sad about this.”

Whilst the English rock legend claims that “a lot of great stuff will come from AI, because it is going to increase the powers of humans to solve problems”, he is still apprehensive about the technological advance, stating “I think the whole thing is massively scary. It’s much more far-reaching than anybody realised — well, certainly than I realised”.

The notion of using computers to generate music is definitely not new, however, recent leaps in AI technology have expanded the possibilities of what computers can do in the music industry. For example, AI platforms such as ChatGPT are now able to replicate songwriting and music production to create entirely computer generated music, therefore eliminating the whole writing and recording process artists go through.

Brian May is not the first musician to share their thoughts on AI’s impact on the music industry, and he definitely won’t be the last.

Nick Cave revealed in his blog, The Red Hand Files, that he believes AI songwriting to be a “grotesque mockery of what it is to be human”, while Sting told the BBC that he isn’t impressed by AI, and songwriters will have to fight to protect “our human capital against AI”.

Some artists however, are seemingly big fans of the way technology is evolving in the music industry. For example, Canadian singer-songwriter Grimes is allowing fans to use her voice in AI generated songs, so long as they share the royalties with her.

I’ll split 50% royalties on any successful AI generated song that uses my voice. Same deal as I would with any artist i collab with. Feel free to use my voice without penalty. I have no label and no legal bindings. pic.twitter.com/KIY60B5uqt

— Grimes (@Grimezsz) April 24, 2023

Brian May‘s conversation with Guitar Player magazine is set to feature in the October 2023 issue, however, you can read the interview online here.

The final sale was reportedly slightly below estimates but auctioneers Sotheby’s have said that it is a record for a piano.

The item was amongst thousands of Mercury’s former possessions that were auctioned on Wednesday after being held on display for several weeks.

Further items were sold at the auction including the door to Mercury’s Garden Lodge West London, home which went for a whopping £412,750, way under the projected estimation of £15,000-25,000.

Furthermore, a 15-page original manuscript for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, originally titled ‘Mongolian Rhapsody’ was sold £1.3 million. The manuscript reveals different versions and directions that Mercury experimented with whilst writing the song. Similar notes are also still available for massive hits like ‘We Are The Champions’, ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and ‘Somebody To Love’.

Mercury also had an extensive art collection including pieces from big name artists like Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, all of which are going under the hammer in upcoming live auctions.

Personal items from Mercury’s wardrobe were sold including his trademark flamboyant costumes worn for concerts; also sold was his designer crown and cloak as well as a vast variety of kimonos.

A total of 1,469 items from his Garden Lodge home are up for sale by Mary Austen, a former fiancé and friend of the Queen frontman.

Freddy Mercury’s former band mate and Queen guitarist took to Instagram to share the emotional difficulties he had with the auction, he said: “Tomorrow … Freddie’s most intimate personal effects, and writings that were part of what we shared for so many years, will go under the hammer, to be knocked down to the highest bidder and dispersed for ever. I can’t look. To us, his closest friends and family, it’s too sad.”

The first night of the #TheWorldofFreddieMercury auction series saw bidders from 61 countries drive 93% of lots over their estimate, with Bohemian Rhapsody lyrics and Freddie’s Yamaha piano leading the sale.

Read more: https://t.co/8hU3uaiB5f

— Sotheby’s (@Sothebys) September 6, 2023

At the start of the auction, auctioneer Oliver Barker had this to say: “What we’ve witnessed here at Sotheby’s these last few weeks is nothing short of phenomenal. It has captured the hearts and minds of the public all over the world. By the time the doors closed yesterday, on this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition, we welcomed 140,000 visitors.”

The auction house, Soethby’s, hosted a month-long free open exhibition prior to the auction. The whole auction sale itself is estimated to bring in at least £6 million. Part of the proceeds for the sale will be donated to the Mercury Phoenix Trust and The Elton John Aids Foundation.