Queen guitarist Brian May has opened up about the frightening health scare that he says served as a profound “wake-up call” last year. The 77-year-old rock icon, known for his soaring guitar solos and decades-long musical legacy, revealed that he suffered a minor stroke that struck “out of the blue”, leaving him temporarily unable to control one of his arms.
Speaking on Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Weekend, May explained that this latest episode was just one of several medical challenges he has faced in recent years. Host Alan Titchmarsh expressed concern as he gently revisited the incident, saying: “You had a bit of a stroke last year. But you seem to be fully recovered.”
May replied with his trademark calmness: “I’ve had a number of things, Alan. The stroke was one of them. I’ve been lucky — I get these things, but I seem to be able to get out of them. They give you a wake-up call.”
The guitarist first told fans about the stroke back in September, recalling how the sudden loss of control in his left arm left him terrified. “It came on all of a sudden, completely out of the blue,” he said. “It was a little scary, I have to say.” He credited the “fantastic” hospital staff and swift emergency response, complete with flashing lights, for ensuring his quick recovery.
Despite the ordeal, May said he kept the news private at the time to avoid a flood of sympathy messages. “I didn’t want anything surrounding it. I really don’t want sympathy — it clutters up my inbox,” he joked. “The good news is, I’m OK.”
This is not the first time May has faced a serious health battle. In 2020, he suffered a heart attack caused by arterial disease. Doctors discovered three blocked arteries, and May later admitted he was “very near death” before receiving life-saving treatment. These experiences, he says, continually remind him to appreciate life and take better care of his health.
Fully recovered once again, May recently took to the stage with pop star Benson Boone in London, performing Queen’s monumental classic “Bohemian Rhapsody” followed by Boone’s hit “Beautiful Things”. Boone joked that the London crowd “finally sounded like they recognised a legend,” a light-hearted jab at the lukewarm reception May received during Boone’s Coachella set earlier this year.
At Coachella’s second weekend, Boone even replaced May with a cardboard cut-out to tease the audience’s earlier indifference. May, ever the good sport, laughed off the moment.
Meanwhile, Queen continue to hold their place in music history, being named the UK’s most-played rock act of the 21st century. May also revealed the band has experimented with new recordings with Adam Lambert, though nothing has yet been finalised. He added that he is “very keen” on the idea of bringing Queen’s live production to the technologically advanced Sphere venue in Las Vegas.