Brian May’s School Banned Guitars—So He Played in Secret Behind the Bike Sheds!

Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, has always had a passion for the guitar, but his early years with the instrument were anything but easy. In a recent performance with signature artist Arielle, May reflected on the unique journey he took to get where he is today—one that even involved defying the rules during his school days.

As a young aspiring musician, May faced a significant hurdle at his school, Hampton Grammar School. Guitars were strictly forbidden, and the punishment for possessing one was severe—suspension. Despite this, May and his friends found a way to pursue their love for music. “In the lunch hours, we would hide behind the cycle sheds because it was illegal to have a guitar at my school,” May recalled. “Seriously, things were very different in those days! You would get suspended for even having a guitar let alone possessing one at school.”

But this didn’t stop May or his friends. Behind the bike sheds, they would play their acoustic guitars, sharing their progress and exchanging ideas about the music that inspired them, from Hank Marvin’s iconic riffs to the sounds of Elvis and Buddy Holly. “We were finding out what they do, how they do it. That’s what we wanna do!” May said.

The rebellious lunchtime jam sessions were a key part of May’s musical education, which, at the time, didn’t have the benefit of modern online tutorials. He had to rely solely on his ear and a few limited resources, learning the craft through sheer determination. “I started off on acoustic, and I was on acoustic for a long time, and all I did was sing and play accompaniment,” he shared. “It was a long time before I became clever enough to play what I call single notes.”

Fast forward to the present, and May’s journey from a secretive school guitarist to an iconic rock legend is nothing short of remarkable. He not only went on to become a founding member of Queen but also achieved academic success, earning a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London in 2007. His musical journey and the guitars he played along the way are an intrinsic part of who he is.

May’s most recent musical venture is a collaboration with Gibson on a signature 12-string guitar—a true “dream come true” for the guitarist. May describes the instrument as having “such presence and such a beautiful breadth of sound,” and it features a stunning solar system design on the pickguard, complete with Mercury as a tribute to his late friend and bandmate, Freddie Mercury.

The guitar’s design, which includes 8-pointed star inlays made from agoya shell, was not an easy feat for the luthiers at Bozeman, but they managed to bring May’s vision to life. Holding the guitar, May couldn’t help but express his satisfaction: “As soon as I held the guitar, I thought this is what I need. It sounds massive.”

May’s connection to the guitar runs deep, from his early, secretive sessions behind the bike sheds to his current collaborations with artists like Arielle. The emotional occasion during their onstage performance—complete with a heartfelt rendition of Queen’s “Love Of My Life”—showcased the importance of music in May’s life, both as a tool for personal expression and as a means of remembering those who have passed.

Brian May’s journey, from an outlaw musician playing in secret to a celebrated rock icon, is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and a love for the guitar.