In a candid revelation to U.K.'s The Times, QUEEN's iconic guitarist Brian May has officially declared he is finished with the rigors of touring. After a profound personal loss and a sobering realization about the sacrifices that come with life on the road, May stated, "I made a decision 18 months ago that I didn't want to tour again." A close family friend's passing while the band was in the States served as a catalyst for this decision, prompting May to confront the unsettling truth of life as a musician versus the joys of family and personal pursuits.
At 79, May acknowledges the bittersweet nature of his choice. He elaborated, "I love to play, I love to travel, but the trade-off is sacrificing your freedom." With grandchildren and astrophysics calling his name, May muses that perhaps 50 years of rock 'n' roll is enough. Yet, he refuses to let the flame of QUEEN flicker out entirely, hinting at innovative avenues to keep the band's legacy alive. "We want to do something fairly revolutionary," he teased, alluding to an immersive experience reminiscent of digital avatars, but with a distinctly QUEEN twist.
Meanwhile, drummer Roger Taylor remains hopeful about the band's future. In a recent interview, he declared, "Never say never... it's really how Brian feels about it." The dynamic between Taylor and May leaves the door ajar for a potential reunion, especially with the vocal powerhouse Adam Lambert still in the mix. Lambert, who has been a guest performer with QUEEN since 2012, echoed this sentiment, stating, "There's nothing on the books with QUEEN... but if they call me and say, 'Hey, we wanna tour again,' I'll say, 'Yeah, sure, I'd love to.'" The camaraderie within the band remains intact, despite the uncertainties.
In January, May raised eyebrows when he voiced concerns about touring in the U.S., citing safety issues as a deterrent for the band's potential return. "It's very sad because I feel like QUEEN grew up in America and we love it, but it's not what it was," he lamented. This sentiment underscores the complex landscape of contemporary touring for legendary acts, grappling with both personal and external challenges.
As for any new music on the horizon, May hinted at the possibility, stating, "But never say never about not coming back." His wife, Anita Dobson, echoed the sentiment that extensive tours are behind them due to health concerns and aging. Yet, the spirit of QUEEN remains alive, with May revealing there are still a few surprises in the pipeline, suggesting that the story of QUEEN is far from over.