Brian May Reveals He Had a Stroke a Week Ago

Brian May revealed today (September 4, 2024) that he suffered what he described as “a minor stroke.” The legendary guitarist and songwriter shared the news on his website via a YouTube clip headlined “health hiccup.” In the “oh, by the way” announcement, May said, “I’m here to bring you first of all some good news. I think good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days and I say this because 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 was a little scary.” May turned 77 on July 19. Watch the clip below.

The Queen co-founder added, “I didn’t want to say anything at the time because I didn’t want anything surrounding, you know. I really don’t want sympathy. PLEASE DON’T DO THAT cuz it’ll clutter up my Inbox and I hate that.

“So, good news is I’m okay. Just doing what I’m told which is basically nothing. I’m grounded I’m not allowed to go out – well I’m not allowed to drive, not allowed to get on a plane, not allowed to raise the heart rate too high, not allowed to have planes flying over, which will stress me. But I’m good.”

Two days later, on Sept. 6, May acknowledged his well-wishers. “I don’t know when I have ever been so touched —- thanks a million, guys – I love you all.”

He added, “I’m working hard on arm rehabilitation and resting!!! The only thing I’m allowed to do is watch the cricket. So I’m not complaining too much! I WILL be back up and running when this recovery period is over. Well, ‘running’ might be a bit much to expect ! ha ha. But definitely rockin’.”

Four years ago, May suffered what he called “a small heart attack.” At the time, he described it as “about 40 minutes of pain in the chest and tightness and that feeling in the arms and sweating and, you know, you kind of know, you’ve heard and, actually this is a heart attack.”

Following that May 2020 event, the guitarist called himself “a very healthy guy… I keep fit on me bike and everything – good diet = not too much fat…” and revealed he had three blocked arteries. He weighed having open heart surgery but ultimately opted to have stents implanted. The classic rock legend wrote, “I walked out with a heart that’s very strong now, so I think I’m in good shape for some time to come.”

In 1974, Queen released their third studio album titled Sheer Heart Attack. The very first track on their 1973 debut is “Keep Yourself Alive.”