Useless music trivia post # 714:  Brian May has a Ph.D. in astrophysics!

I think I read he interrupted his studies in the 70's to see if this band he was invited to be in might make a go of it. Only recently did he finish up, publish his thesis, and get his diploma.

Congrats Dr. May  

Congratulations, Brian May! I knew I could spot intelligent guys at once! Can`t wait for their concert.

Alexis, if you write songs (I remember your mentioning it), you should play some musical instrument as well. What is it?  

Quoted from Jane

Congratulations, Brian May! I knew I could spot intelligent guys at once! Can`t wait for their concert.

Alexis, if you write songs (I remember your mentioning it), you should play some musical instrument as well. What is it?  

Hi Jane - Well, I grew up playing piano, and now I play a synthesizer so that I can get sounds of different instruments as well. I am in a very part time band that plays mainly 60s/70/s80s rock - we play a few Beatles songs too! I also play harmonica a bit, I of course started playing that because John played it ...  

Quoted from alexis

Hi Jane - Well, I grew up playing piano, and now I play a synthesizer so that I can get sounds of different instruments as well. I am in a very part time band that plays mainly 60s/70/s80s rock - we play a few Beatles songs too! I also play harmonica a bit, I of course started playing that because John played it ...  

A very musical man you are, Alexis! I understand this is your hobby. And a great one! Where do you play, at some cafes or private parties? Do you sing as well?
And to stay with the thread - do you play Queen?

Have just listened to Paul Rodgers on VH-1. He gets me, guys! I like his songs very much! Queen`s concert is approaching. Like in an old song: it gives me fever in the morning, it gives me fever in the evening...

Quoted from JimmyMcCullochFan

^played bass with Queen till about 2000 or 2001. BM, you didn't enjoy Night at the Opera? =O

Not true:

The death of Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury affected Deacon deeply, and after playing live with Queen twice more (at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness on 20th April 1992 and in Paris on 17th January 1997 (performing only "The Show Must Go On" with Elton John on lead vocals), he made the decision to retire from music, re-appearing only briefly by joining his ex-band mates in October 1997 for the recording of the final Queen song "No-One But You", included in the "Queen Rocks" album released a month later. He chose not to be present at Queen's induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001, or join in the collaboration with Paul Rodgers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Deacon#Leaving_Queen

^ Well he technically stayed with Queen till 2001 which is what I meant  

Quoted from JimmyMcCullochFan

^ Well he technically stayed with Queen till 2001 which is what I meant  

You do know...

Quoted Text

...He chose not to be present at Queen's induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2001.

It`s such a pity! We love John Deacon and wish he were with Queen now! He wrote such great songs.

I know and when he chose NOT to be present in 2001, that ended his career with Queen.

No, his career with Queen ended much earlier.

He retired officially in 1998. That's what I've read.

I`ve been to Queen concert and it was great! The stadium was full and the people sang Queen songs all the way, were very enthusiastic and responsive. I think Brian and Roger were pleasantly surprised by the fact that everybody knew Queen songs lyrics even those of not so popular songs like "39". Brian looks well, slender with long hair, seems not to have changed much. Roger sang his wonderful song I`m In Love With My Car. The stadium exploded. Paul Rodgers sang very well, the only problem is that he`s not that well known. So when he sang songs from his career, actually three, he got less applause than for Queen masterpieces, and he said: Thank you so much! kind of ironically. But the songs from Cosmos Rocks are very good (C-lebrity) and though not promoted much yet they were received by the audience very enthusiastically.
I would recommend those who like Queen to attend the concert by all means and first of all enjoy the old Queen songs, and certainly to buy the new album Cosmos Rocks. It`s less Queen, it`s modern and more rock.

I stand corrected, thanks guys  

Quoted from Jane

Paul Rodgers sang very well, the only problem is that he`s not that well known. So when he sang songs from his career, actually three, he got less applause than for Queen masterpieces,

He's well known enough from his time as lead singer of Free, and Bad Company. And also his work with Jimmy Page. People go to Queen concerts to hear Queen songs though. So of course he's not going to get so much applause.