OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
In a shocking revelation, Queen’s legendary guitarist, Brian May, opened up about a terrifying health scare he experienced in August 2024, which left him fearing he might never play music again. The iconic musician, known for his unparalleled skill on the guitar, faced a life-changing moment when he suddenly lost control of his left arm due to a stroke.
A Life-Altering Health Scare
In a recent interview with Guitarist magazine, May recalled the overwhelming fear he felt as the stroke took hold. “It went through my mind,” he admitted, contemplating whether he would ever play guitar again. “When I suddenly couldn’t control this left arm, it was quite scary. I had no idea what was going on.”
Recognizing the severity of the situation, May immediately contacted his doctor, who swiftly diagnosed him over the phone. “I think you’re having a minor stroke. Dial 999, get in the ambulance and I’ll see you there,” the doctor told him. That moment marked the beginning of a difficult chapter in May’s life, filled with uncertainty about his future as a musician.
Fearing the Worst, Finding Hope
Although May initially feared the worst—wondering if his days of playing guitar were behind him—he soon found hope. Despite being unable to control his arm, May discovered that he could still move his fingers, which gave him a sense of reassurance. “Even at the worst time, although I couldn’t control where the arm was, I could control my fingers,” May explained. “So I thought, ‘I’m probably not really in danger.’”
That glimmer of hope turned into a strong determination to recover and return to the music he loved.
A Quick Recovery and Positive Outlook
Within a week of the stroke, May reassured his fans with an Instagram video, revealing that he had regained his ability to play music. “The good news is I can play music again after the events of the last few days,” he shared. “It was in some doubt because that little health hiccup that I mentioned happened about a week ago, and what they called it was a minor stroke and all of a sudden, out of the blue, I didn’t have any control over this arm, so it was a little scary.”
May’s wife, Anita Dobson, also provided a comforting update on his condition, confirming that while he had been told to rest, he was doing well and slowly returning to his old self. “He’s been told to rest. It’s hard to keep him resting, but he needs to, otherwise he won’t get well,” she said. Dobson also expressed her confidence in May’s recovery, stating, “He’s doing great–he’s on the road, he’s doing really, really well. We’re very pleased.”
A Full Recovery on the Horizon
By December, it was clear that May had made significant progress. Anita Dobson spoke about his recovery, explaining that he had regained full use of his arm, which had been a major concern after the stroke. “He’s much better now, he’s stabilized now, which is brilliant,” Dobson told The Mirror. “I just hope we don’t have any more reoccurrences. He’s got the use of that arm, which was a bit of a challenge, back now.”
Dobson also mentioned that May had been playing the piano more frequently but had been cautious with his return to guitar playing. “He very slowly started to pick up an acoustic guitar and gradually just exercised the muscles. And it very quickly came back,” she said, emphasizing that May was retraining his brain to reconnect with his arm.
Despite the challenges, Dobson’s confidence in her husband’s recovery was unwavering. “He’s just retraining the messages from your brain to that arm, that it’s actually okay to do what it used to do,” she noted. “It was scary. And also being a genius for someone like that. His brain’s overloaded, that’s what it is. He’s too clever for his own good.”
A Testimony of Resilience
Brian May’s stroke and subsequent recovery have not only been a testament to his strength but also to his love for music. While the experience left him with moments of doubt about his future as a musician, it also reinforced his determination to continue creating and performing. As May continues to recover, it’s clear that his passion for music, combined with the support of his loved ones, will drive him forward as he picks up the guitar once more.
May’s journey serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the power of resilience, hope, and the unwavering desire to do what we love—even in the face of daunting challenges.