Brian May: Music and Astronomy
As a child, Brian May was very interested in music, photography and astronomy. He and his father built a small telescope, and in the evenings Brian would often study the stars. On entering Grammar school, aged 11, he was playing the guitar, piano and other instruments, while looking towards a career in Astronomy.
In 1964, aged 17, Brian and some friends formed 1984, named after the George Orwell novel. Leaving school the next year with ten o'levels and four A'Levels, Brian applied to Imperial College, London, where he was accepted to study physics and infra-red astronomy. His group 1984 continued to gig until around the end of 1967, when they split up.
Brian then concentrated more on his studies, organising the building of a hut in Switzerland to contain apparatus for the study of zodiacal light. Due to the unpredictable climate in that location, they decided after a while to move to another location: on the slopes of the extinct volcano, Mount Teide, in Tenerife.
Brian May and his co-researchers wrote and had published two papers based on their findings. Upon graduating, Brian was able to consider an offer from Professor Sir Bernard Lovell to join his research laboratory at Jodrell Bank. He decided, however, that his musical career was more important to him - this proceeded in 1968 with the formation of Smile, who went on to become one of the most successful rock groups ever - Queen.
[Jacky Gunn & Jim Jenkins 'Queen: As It Began']