Many people have wondered if the famous guitarist of Queen, Brian May, is related to the popular TV presenter and car enthusiast, James May. They share a common surname and some similar interests, but are they really brothers? The answer is no, they are not. Here is why.
Different Family Backgrounds
James May was born in Bristol in 1963 as the youngest of four children. His father was an accountant and his mother was a teacher. He grew up in South Yorkshire and later studied music at Lancaster University, where he learned to play the flute and piano.
Brian May was born in London in 1947 as the only child of Harold and Ruth May. His father was an electronics engineer and his mother was a housewife. He grew up in Feltham and later studied physics and mathematics at Imperial College London, where he also developed his passion for guitar playing.
No Genetic Connection
James May and Brian May have never met each other, let alone share any DNA. James May has said in an interview with Andy Jay on Driven, a talk radio show, that he would love to have Brian May as his brother because he is great and has fantastic hair, but they are not in any way related. He also said that he knows people who have met Brian May and they have said he is a lovely man.
Brian May has not commented on the rumor, but he has been busy with his own family and career. He married his first wife, Chrissie Mullen, in 1974 and they had three children: Jimmy, Louisa, and Emily. They divorced in 1988 and he married his second wife, Anita Dobson, in 2000. He also has a PhD in astrophysics and is an active campaigner for animal rights and environmental causes.
Different Career Paths
James May and Brian May have both achieved success and fame in their respective fields, but they have followed very different paths. James May started his career as a journalist and editor for various magazines, such as The Engineer, Autocar, and Top Gear. He then became a TV presenter and co-hosted several shows, such as Top Gear, The Grand Tour, James May’s Toy Stories, and James May: Our Man in Japan.
Brian May started his career as a musician and songwriter and formed the rock band Queen with Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon in 1970. He became one of the most influential guitarists of all time and wrote many hit songs, such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, and The Show Must Go On. He also pursued his academic interests and completed his PhD in 2007. He has collaborated with various artists, such as Paul Rodgers, Kerry Ellis, and Lady Gaga.
Conclusion
James May and Brian May are not related by blood or by marriage. They are two separate individuals who happen to share a common surname and some similar interests. They have never met each other or claimed to be brothers. The rumor is false and has no basis in reality.
