Brian May (guitarist, Queen) is 59

Today Queen guitarist Brian May inches one year closer to 60. And for 35 of his 59 years, the band has endured many changes – most significantly the death of singer Freddie Mercury. Amazingly, May says, he’s managed to keep his relationships within the band strong.

"Of course there was a risk when we started playing together that the friendship would suffer but that's not been the case. I think it's been strengthened."

Speaking of birthdays and Queen, you may have heard that the late Freddie Mercury would’ve been 60 on September 5th. Mercury will be saluted with a slew of releases, including a 2-DVD set called Lover of Life, Singer of Songs, a CD titled The Very Best of Freddie Mercury and a print and audio book called Freddie Mercury. A Life, in His Own Words. All are out in early September.

VH1 MUSIC FIRST

Mid Devon Advertiser printed in Newton Abbot.
(sent in by Angie Lake)

This report mentions both Brian and his good lady....

Sunday Life
By Uptown Girl
16 July 2006

My role as ambassador for the Prince's Trust stepped up a notch in the style stakes last week as ambassadors, mentors and the team behind making the charity so successful were invited to a special Garden Party in Buckingham Palace to mark the Prince's Trust's 30th birthday.

I decided my mum was the perfect date for the occasion and we headed off to London the day before to soak up a bit of the big city.

We decided to act as the typical tourists and made Madame Tussauds our first pit stop. We were suddenly greeted with Tom Jones, Will Smith and Ant and Dec. The models were so scarily lifelike that for a half a second I expected them to jump out at us.

From spotting the wax work celebs we went to spotting them for real at the Garden Party.

The attire was to be rather summer formal with a hat being optional nowadays!

Mum and I arrived at the grand golden gates of the palace and spotted Vernon Kay and wife Tess Daly who look remarkably taller in the flesh and even more glam.

We meandered through the entrance hall surrounded by ornate paintings steeped in history before making the precarious walk down the staircase into the gardens glowing in the hot London sun.

The lake within the gardens is such an unusual sight in the centre of the city and it was easy to forget the craziness and hustle bustle of city life beyond the palace gates.

As we picked up our plates of scones and tea the crowds assembled a human corridor as the whispers hinted that Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were about to arrive. We primed ourselves in position as the royal pair strolled along chatting to the crowd.

As Prince Charles approached us he shook my hand and asked what my connection was with the Trust and asked when we had arrived over from Belfast. He then spotted my mum and shook her hand also!

Many famous ambassador faces arrived to support the day and were more than happy to pose for pictures with their fans. Joan Armatrading was the first famous face followed by ex-Spice Girls Emma Bunton and Geri Halliwell walking hand in hand.

Pop Idol star Darius was holding court with a few female fans alongside his actress girlfriend Natasha Henstridge, while Queen guitar legend Brian May and ex-Eastender star wife Anita Dobson arrived shortly after.

Rock legend Rod Stewart was looking rather dapper if not slightly ridiculous with his leggy partner in tow hovering two feet above him. Jools Holland added to the music celebrity line up with Lemar and Pete Waterman in attendance too.

A gorgeous Carol Vorderman brought along her mum while Sir David Frost, Philip Schofield, Fern Britton, Fiona Bruce, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Alan Titchmarsh, Journey South and Will Young all managed to have the same head turning effects on the crowd.

The tea party was beautifully presented with chef Antonio Carluccio donating the most gorgeous chocolate truffles for those with a sweet tooth.

It was certainly a once in a lifetime affair and the young people who have benefited from the Trust's work were looking as happy about their invite as we were!

Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, hosted a special garden party at Buckingham Palace on Friday 14 July, held for more than 3,000 Prince's Trust Volunteers. This event was part of the celebrations to mark 30 years of the charity's work helping disaffected young people.

Brian May, who has supported the Trust for more than 20 years, was among the VIP guests. He said: It is an amazing charity. Half a million children have been helped".

Other celebrity guests included Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Penny Lancaster and Rod Stewart, who recently became an ambassador. He remarked: "The prince does an amazing amount of work and he doesn't get enough credit for it, quite honestly."

In his inviation the prince said he was "overwhelmed" by the amount of time given by the volunteers: "I am sure all of you have heard from young people who have said if it was not for the Trust they would be dead or in prison."

Photos:
The prince and some of the guests - including Brian HERE
Reports:
Washington Post - 15 July 2006
When the Queen Calls, Out Come the Hats and Baubles
Daily Mirror - 15 July 2006
It's So Geri Nice To See You Baby...
Daily Record - 15 July 2006
Charles Greets His Charity Chums

SONIC STATE
News / Guitars
SNAMM06: We Will Rock You Say Digitech
Brian May Red Special Artist Series pedal ships

STOMP ON THIS TO SOUND LIKE QUEEN

DigiTech have been demonstrating it at the show and have announced that they are now shipping the Brian May Red Special Artist Series Pedal. Created using the original master recordings of legendary guitarist and Queen founding member Brian May, as well as his collection of vintage instruments, effects and amps used in the studio and onstage live, the long anticipated pedal delivers the signature tones of one of rock’s pioneering guitar icons, say Digitech.

The man himself, Brian May, had this to say, “This piece of gear is — in my opinion — a work of genius. An amazing DigiTech team led by legend Eddie Kramer has created a device that captures 14 of the most memorable tones I’ve achieved for Queen over the years. From the searing harmonically rich solo sound of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, to the churning saturated thickness of the climax of ‘We Will Rock You’, to the hitherto inimitable ‘Deacy’ amp tones, which I’ve used for years to create ‘orchestras’ of guitars on record, this device will shock you! Our hope, is that you, the guitarist of the future, will use this machine as an aid to creating your own new tones and inspire you to greater heights.”

The extensive selection of tones is modeled from Brian’s exclusive original set-ups, including his one-of-a-kind Deacy amp and Red Special handmade guitar. Other key and immediately recognizable effect models are treble booster, Foxx™ Foot Phaser, VOX® AC30 as well as delay, pitch shifter/harmonizer, reverb and more.

The tones modeled are:

“Keep Yourself Alive”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“Tie Your Mother Down”
“We Will Rock You/Champions”
“Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
“Brighton Rock Solo – Live”
“Deacy Tone/A Winter’s Tale”

To achieve its results, the pedal features an integral hard-wired dynamic analog treble booster, a GUITAR knob designed specifically for Brian’s guitar or to re-voice single coil and humbucker pickup-equipped guitars to sound like the Red Special; a Flexible Output Mode; and controls for Gain, Level, Treble, Bass and Model Control.

An Expression pedal serves as a variable control for some of the models and is also used for engaging the Heel and Toe mode switches allowing selection of two distinctive tone variations of each model.

The pedal has a vintage wood grain finish inspired by Brian’s Red Special, and comes complete with custom embroidered gig bag, power supply and Brian’s plectrum of choice, a British Sixpence! Poodle perm and white clogs are optional…

More information: www.digitech.com

We can confirm that Sharon D Clarke will be performing at Sunday's concert, in addition to Mazz Murray

DAILY MAIL
14 July 2006 by BAZ BAMIGBOYE

Denis Lawson, Angela Richards, Anita Dobson, Brian May, Sharon D Clarke, Janie Dee, Patricia Hodge, Henry Goodman and Sally Ann Triplett, who are just a few of the performers taking part in this Sunday night's tribute to Dan Crawford. It takes place at the Novello Theatre on Aldwych (it's the old Strand Theatre). Dan founded and, for years until his death last year, ran the King's Head Theatre in Islington as a showcase for new plays, musicals and revivals — you name it, he probably staged it. For ticket information, call 0870 950 0939.

The World Cup is over, Wimbledon is done for another year, but the key event of the summer is still to come this weekend!

On Sunday 16th July 2006 we will be holding our 35th Blood Donor Session. It will be held at The Borehamwood & Elstree Synagogue, Croxdale Road, Borehamwood, Herts. WD6 4QF and will be open between 10.00am - 4.30pm.

As usual with our sessions, there will be a creche (for the kids!), plenty of car parking and light refreshments provided, so there is no excuse not to be there!

Remember, anyone between the ages of 17 - 60, who is healthy can become a blood donor.

It is vitally important that this session is successful, as it is during the summer period that the stocks of Blood decrease with many donors away on their holidays. If you are undecided whether you are able to spare the time to give blood, it is opportune to reflect on how vital blood donors were for the treatment of the injured of 7/7 and other similar events.

Whether or not you are able to give blood, then please help us by bringing a friend, or a relative to give. We are also in need of helpers on the day, so if you can give up an hour of your time to help in the creche, steward the carpark, or make sandwiches please call us on 020 8953 5455

If you are likely to be pushed for time on the day, then you can prebook an appointment by calling the NBS on 0845 7 711 711. GIVE BLOOD NOT EXCUSES!, Save a life this Sunday!

See you on Sunday,

The Joely Bear Appeal '

Thankyou for any help you are able to give us with our work,

Daniel Renak

In "CLASSIC ROCK" News, page 27, Record Collector Issue 326, August 2006 (U2 on cover)

Meatloaf's Bat Out Of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose, is due on 31 October and features Queen's Brian May on Bad For Good. May has co-wriitten with Patrick Moore Bang! - The Complete History Of The Universe, due later this year.

CLIFF Richard has rerecorded his debut single Move It! - nearly 50 years after it shot him to fame. Queen guitarist Brian May worked on the new version and told his website: "This stuff will turn heads." Move It! made No2 in 1958.

CONTACTMUSIC
13 July 2006

Queen guitar legend Brian May and veteran British pop star Sir Cliff Richard have joined forces in the studio to rework the knighted singer's hit 'Move It'. Richard was keen to give the song a rockier edge, and he immediately plumped for the Bohemian Rhapsody rocker's distinctive sound. A spokesperson for Richard says, "They've reworked Move It quite dramatically. It's going to be an interesting piece." A record company insider adds, "People may be surprised that Brian and Cliff have got together but Cliff was a hero to people of Brian's generation. They get on really well."

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
PINK CREAM 69
Audio CD (12 Sep 2005)
Number of Discs: 1
Label: Spv
ASIN: B000AC5M7O

THIS IS LANCASHIRE
12 July 2006

A new touring production of Return To The Forbidden Planet rockets across the UK this summer and arrives in Salford from July 24 to 30.

Bob Carlton's Olivier Award winning rock n' roll sci-fi musical features an on-screen performance by Queen rock legend Brian May as the narrator, a dazzling new spaceship and a hugely talented cast of actor-musicians.

This production re-ignites the rock n' roll spirit and promises to get audiences back dancing in the aisles.

Return To The Forbidden Planet is at The Lowry, Salford Quays, from July 24-30. Tickets are £14-£22 on 0870 787 5793.

The details for the summer NAMM show can be found at www.nammsummersession.com/

Brian May Guitars will be based on the Digitech Stand - Stand No 1514 - where the guitars will be displayed, along with the Brian May Digitech Pedal. Bob Baily will will be doing the on-sie demo throughout the show. Video clips and photos to follow.

Paul Crook (Anthrax / WWRY Vegas) is working on sound sample for DigiTech - so we will all be able to hear what the combination sounds like very soon.

Read more about Bob Bailey and Paul Crook HERE

The Brian May guitars will be seen in the States this weekend, exhibiting for the summer NAMM Music Show in Austin, Texas.

There, the guitars will be available for dealers to view and order. The list retail price in the USA is $999.00 with a map price of $799.00.

Guitar can also be ordered NOW to be shipoed from the UK. Contact: housemusic@btconnect.com

Brian May appears in the new issue of MOJO Magazine

MOJO - August 2006 - RADIOHEAD / THOM YORKE Cover

MOJO HONOURS LIST - Page 52
The MOJO Les Paul Award
BRIAN MAY - Voted by MOJO Readers, Sponsored by EMI Catalogue

Presenting him with the Les Paul Award, last year's inaugural winner Jeff Beck has just referred to him to Queen guitarist Brian May as "a genius and a gentleman".

The man who famously made the most unique guitar sound in rock out of a fireplace, looks suitably self-effacing and sheepish, "It's an honour to receive this award from Jeff, who was my hero and always will be declares May.

Later, when asked what he considers to be the highlights of his career, May is clear: "Playing to the people, really. Queen really developed as a band on the road even more so than in the studio. the albums were seen as the major milestones, but I think the big concerts in Brazil and Argentina, were the real highlights because of the fans, that incredible response. And, of course Live Aid. On the day itself I wasn't conscious that we were particularly fabulous, but Freddie was so able to that occasion and that performance has become almost legendary."

Still playing as Queen with original drummer Roger Taylor and Free's Paul Rodgers on vocals, May is "having some time off. I'm old enough and wise enough to enjoy some free time. But I think we'll respond to the call of the wild around February next year. We like a balance in our live, and that's what we've got."

Brian will be involved in the benefit show on Sunday at the Novello Theatre, London, this coming Sunday, at a show to honour the late Dan Crawford. Anita Dobson and Maz Murray (of We Will Rock You Killer Queen fame), are also among ther performers.

SEE ALSO BRIAN'S SOAPBOX COMMENTS

PRESS RELEASE:
The King's Head Theatre, Islington
Presents
A Love Letter to Dan: A Tribute to Dan Crawford
At The Novello Theatre, Aldwych, London
Sunday 16th July 2006 at 7pm

In aid of the King's Head Theatre's Raise The Roof Campaign

On Sunday 16th July, the King's Head Theatre Islington will present a very special musical tribute Gala to the theatre's founder, entrepreneur and producer Dan Crawford, who died last July at the age of 62.

For one night only, a host of stars will come together at London's Novello Theatre in celebration of Dan's life and work. His maverick genius and unrelenting artistic passion earned him the distinction of being thought of by many as the ‘father of the Capital's fringe theatre scene'.

The evening will showcase a dazzling array of musical tributes to this much-loved and respected Artistic Director whose loyalty, delightful eccentricity and revolutionary work ignited the careers of so many leading performers such as Anthony Sher, Victoria Wood, Steven Berkoff, Hugh Grant and Quentin Crisp.
To mark this exceptional Gala a cast of over 50 King's Head stars, past and present, will bring love and laughter to a unique musical celebration, recalling many of the prolific landmark productions associated with Dan's distinguished career. The production will feature the works of Noel Coward, Ivor Novello, the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields, Kurt Weil, Jacques Brel, Vivian Ellis, Cole Porter and Stephen Sondheim.

The host of stars appearing includes Don Black, Lionel Blair, Steven Berkoff, Peter Bowles, Clare Burt, Sharon D Clarke, Tom Conti, Janie Dee, Anita Dobson, Simon Green, Susannah Fellowes, Louise Gold, Richard E Grant, Jan Hartley, Patricia Hodge, Michael Howe, Celia Imrie, Lesley Joseph, David Kernan, Denis Lawson, Gavin Lee, John Lee, Maureen Lipman, Joanna Lumley, Ewan McGregor, Susie McKenna, Julia McKenzie, Linda Marlowe, Jessica Martin, Robert Meadmore, Kim Medcalf, Sheridan Morley, Mazz Murray, Paul O'Grady, Michael Praed, Frances Ruffelle, Angela Richards, Wendy Toye, Sally Ann Triplett, Sam West and other surprise guests. All artistes appear subject to availability.

Widely recognised by critics and audiences alike, the King's Head Theatre, Islington is one of London 's premiere fringe venues. It was founded by Dan Crawford in 1970 and his untimely death last July of cancer robbed the theatre world of a colourful, energetic and maverick producer who was as well-known and well-loved as the people whose careers he helped develop.

Under Crawford's guiding hand, the King's Head has won numerous awards and has transferred more than 30 productions to the West End, plus eight national tours and six Broadway transfers - meaning more than one in ten show transfers.

The venue continues the work that Dan fought so hard to maintain under the Artistic Directorship of his widow, Stephanie Sinclair and associate, Ann Pinnington who joined the theatre 15 years ago. It is their mission to complete Dan's work and take the theatre forward whilst at the heart continuing to provide the type of productions for which this 115 seat intimate fringe theatre has become so cherished by the local and London theatre-going community. Monies raised from this very special evening will go towards the Raise The Roof fund for the refurbishment of the theatre in order that Dan Crawford's legacy can continue.

Tickets to A Love Letter to Dan are available from the Novello Theatre Box office on 0870 950 0935 or online at www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk. Ticket prices range from £25 - *£100 (*includes joining the stars at the after show party)

Novello Theatre Box Office opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 10am - 7.45pm

THEATRE ADDRESS
Novello Theatre
Aldwych
London
WC2B 4LD