# Brian May career reflections

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brian-may-career-reflections
> Updated: 2026-08-12T17:02:38.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Queen guitarist Brian May has shared reflections on his professional career and specific musical performances. He identified his performance during the 2002 Golden Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II as the pinnacle of his career, noting his preference for the adrenaline of performing from the roof of Buckingham Palace over the band’s Live Aid set. May also expressed respect for the “purity” and authenticity of AC/DC’s rock style.

In a separate recollection, The Darkness guitarist Dan Hawkins described a 2011 London stage moment where May performed a ‘rock triangle’ by leaning against Hawkins during the song ‘Tie Your Mother Down’. Hawkins noted the tension of the moment and joked that the incident was fortunate to have occurred before May received his knighthood in 2023.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-12: Brian May and The Darkness recalled 2011 London performance

The Darkness guitarist Dan Hawkins recalled a 2011 London performance where Brian May performed a ‘rock triangle’ by leaning on him during a rendition of Queen’s ‘Tie Your Mother Down’.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brian-may-and-the-darkness-recalled-2011-london-performance

### 2026-08-08: Brian May reflects on career highlights and rock purity

Queen guitarist Brian May reflected on his career peak performing atop Buckingham Palace for the 2002 Golden Jubilee and praised AC/DC for their pure, uncompromising dedication to rock music.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brian-may-reflects-on-career-highlights-and-rock-purity

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Cite as: Brian May career reflections. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brian-may-career-reflections