The unusual public lifetime of Brian May, the Queen guitar hero who turned a celebrated astrophysicist and occasional anti-wokeness pundit, has now taken a brand new flip. Brian May is now a knight. He’s Sir Brian Harold May. As I perceive it, May is now obligated to serve the United Kingdom throughout any potential future invasions from hordes of orcs.
Brian May was one of some music-business professionals named on the 2023 version of the King’s New Year Honours List, a British annual custom. Previously, in 2005, May was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), so his knighthood is a sort of promotion. (Knighthood is the very best award in that British system.) In a press release on Queen’s Instagram, May says, “I’m happy and grateful to receive this honour. I will regard the knighthood not so much as a reward, but more as a charge – a commission – for me to continue to fight for justice – to be a voice for those who have no voice. I will endeavour to be worthy – to be that Knight in Shining Armour.”
The different music-business kind who acquired a knighthood was Robin Millar, a file exec and producer who’s labored with Sade, Fine Young Cannibals, and Everything But The Girl and who co-founded the administration agency, publishing firm, and file label Blue Raincoat Music.