Brian May is finally set to submit his PhD in astronomy, more than 30 years after abandoning his studies to pursue rock fame with Queen.
The guitarist, whose signature style helped define the Queen sound, had almost completed the doctorate in 1971. When faced with the decision to finish his studies or pursue his musical ambitions, he chose the latter. Queen released their eponymous debut two years later, with their third album - 1974's 'Sheer Heart Attack' - propelling them to worldwide fame.But May always viewed his studies as unfinished business, and returned to academia last September. His thesis, 'Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud', will be submitted to his superiors at London's Imperial College next week. He has spent much of the last 9 months at an observatory on La Palma, part of the Canary Islands.
May was working on the island with acclaimed astronomer Dr Garik Israelian, who told the 'Sunday Express' newspaper, "I have no doubt that Brian May would have had a brilliant career in science had he completed his PhD in 1971. Nevertheless, as a fan of Queen, I am glad he left science temporarily."
In an interview with the BBC last Tuesday, May explained that his return to academia was the result of "a kind of calling". He continued, "It was always in my mind. It was unfinished business, all that work that I did from 1970 to 1974 and I packed it all away into suitcases and it's been sitting there ever since. Finally I had the opportunity to get it all out and neaten it all up and finish it."
May, who received an honorary doctorate from Exeter University earlier in the month, went on to say that he wanted "the real thing, which I worked for."
May and Queen drummer Roger Taylor will return to the studio with former Free / Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers in October.
