LEGENDARY CHAT: Queen lead guitarist Brian May

30 March 2012 - 02:45 By Andrea Nagel
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Brian May was in Cape Town this week to support Pride of Cape Town, a project creating fibreglass lion sculptures on the V&A Waterfront to raise awareness about the plight of the big cats in Africa. May who has a PhD in astrophysics and is chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University tells us more :

Queen guitarist Brian May and acclaimed West End and Broadway singer Kerry Ellis at the Pride of Cape Town launch at the V&A Waterfront Picture: SHELLEY CHRISTIANS
Queen guitarist Brian May and acclaimed West End and Broadway singer Kerry Ellis at the Pride of Cape Town launch at the V&A Waterfront Picture: SHELLEY CHRISTIANS
Queen guitarist Brian May and acclaimed West End and Broadway singer Kerry Ellis at the Pride of Cape Town launch at the V&A Waterfront Picture: SHELLEY CHRISTIANS
Queen guitarist Brian May and acclaimed West End and Broadway singer Kerry Ellis at the Pride of Cape Town launch at the V&A Waterfront Picture: SHELLEY CHRISTIANS

My biggest difficulty is trying to juggle everything in my life. Time is a big problem. My family comes first, and then my devotion to helping animals. I love making music, but I no longer have much time to do that.

I am dedicated to the welfare of animals. These days I spend more time campaigning for animal rights than I do on music.

My passion for animals was triggered by the plight of the hedgehog in England. I got involved in a campaign to save the hedgehogs from being slaughtered. We won the battle, which made me realise that I could help make a difference.

I started the group Save Me to promote decent treatment for animals. We campaign against the advocates of hunting with dogs, and of killing our badgers.

I got involved with Virginia McKenna, British actress, author and founder of the Born Free foundation, last year. She put some weight behind my project and I joined her wildlife campaign.

Singing sensation Kerry Ellis, who I worked with on the Queen musical We Will Rock You, joined the team in Cape Town where we performed some original material, including the Queen hit Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

Being in South Africa again is magical. Kerry and I loved playing at The Grand Cafe in Granger Bay. Everyone enjoyed it. Importantly, they loved the lions and we have been inundated with people and companies wanting to sponsor them.

  • Pride Of Cape Town is presented by Wild in Art and the Shamwari Group
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now