Name: Brian Harold May Date of Birth: 19 July, 1947 in Hampton, Middlesex, England. Instruments: Guitar, Vocals, Piano Musical Influences: Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck Other Interests:Astronomy, Physics, Science Fiction Website: www.brianmay.com

A brief pre-Smile biography of Brian Harold May

Brian Harold May was born in Hampton, Middlesex, England in 1947. He displayed a keen interest in music from an early age and took piano lessons from the age of five. He received his first stringed instrument - a ukelele - from his parents at the age of six, and his first acoustic guitar the following year for his seventh birthday.

He and his father built an electric guitar in 1963 and he formed his first band '1984' soon thereafter. This band would play many notable gigs and supported Jimi Hendrix on a couple of occasions.

In 1965, Brian entered Imperial College, London and would go on to complete a Bachelors of Science (BSc) degree in 1968. He has been continually interested in Astronomy and has continued to work on his Ph.D. thesis in Physics.