Brian May on Impacting the Earth: ‘We Need to Stop What We’re Doing’

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

August 2nd, 2023 2:59 PM

Brian May shared some strong feelings in a new interview about climate change and other ways humans are impacting the Earth.

Speaking with Sky News, May said, “Well, I think it’s now pretty apparent that we are having an effect on the Earth, which is deleterious, and we need to stop doing what we’re doing.”

The Queen guitarist is then asked about how this July was the hottest month on record on Earth. He said,  “It’s not just about climate change. It’s about the way we’re polluting the Earth and covering it in concrete and, basically, pretty much eliminating all species except the ones that we think are useful to us.”

When he’s not delivering heartbreaking truths, May continues to collect accolades. In March, the legendary guitarist received the rank of Knight Bachelor from the British Royal Family. May was knighted by King Charles III for his services to music and charity. And yes, this now makes him a “Sir.”

May is far from the first musician to be recognized with a knighthood from the British Royal Family. Keep scrolling to see a number of music icons knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

13 Iconic Musicians Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

• Rod Stewart

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  Sir Rod was knighted in 2016. He had previously received Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) honors in 2007.

• Barry Gibb

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  Sir Barry was knighted in 2018 for his services to the music and charity. While Gibb spent most of his formative years in Australia, he was born in the U.K. on the Isle of Man and has held dual U.K.-U.S. citizenship since 2009.

• Bob Geldof

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  Geldof received an Honorary Knighthood in 1986 for his charitable contributions stemming from Band Aid and Live Aid. Since Geldof is not a British citizen, he cannot be called “Sir.”
• George Martin

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  Sir George was knighted in 1996 for his services to music.

• Paul McCartney

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  Sir Paul was knighted in 1997. In 1965, he and the rest of the Beatles received Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) honors.

• Elton John

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  Sir Elton was knighted in 1998. He would later be named a member of the Order of Companions of Honour, the highest honor that can be bestowed by the British Royal Family, in November 2021. Per the British Royal Family's website, "The Companion of Honour is a special award granted to those who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time. The members, of which there are 65 at any one time, currently include actress Dame Maggie Smith, Lord Coe, Stephen Hawking, John Major and Desmond Tutu."
• Ravi Shankar

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  Shankar received an Honorary Knighthood in 2001 for his contributions to music. He cannot be called “Sir” due to not being a British citizen.

• Mick Jagger

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  Sir Mick was knighted in 2002 for his services to music.

• Tom Jones

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  Sir Tom was knighted in 2006. He was previously honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1999.
• Bono

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  Born Paul Hewson, Bono received an Honorary Knighthood in 2007 for his contributions to music and for his years of humanitarian work. Since he is not a British citizen, Bono cannot be called “Sir.”

• Van Morrison

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  Morrison was knighted in 2016 for his contributions to music. While Irish, Morrison is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K. Thus, he may be called “Sir.”

• Ray Davies

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  Sir Ray was knighted in 2017 for his services to the arts.
• Ringo Starr

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  Sir Ringo was knighted in 2018. In 1965, he and the rest of the Beatles received Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) honors.

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Music
• Q Music News
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Brian May