Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed that he suffered a stroke last week, leaving him shaken but determined to keep playing.
May, 77, shared a video message on Instagram Wednesday in which he described the health scare as a “hiccup.” He mentioned that he briefly lost control of his right arm.
“The good news is that I can still play guitar after the events of the last few days,” May said, adding that he chose not to share the news of his stroke immediately. “I really don’t want sympathy. Please don’t do that because it’ll clutter up my inbox.”
As of Wednesday, May said he was resting and “just doing what I’m told, which is basically nothing,” noting that doctors have advised him not to drive or fly.
May, who co-founded Queen with singer Freddie Mercury and drummer Roger Taylor in 1970, has endured several health setbacks in recent years, including complications from a heart attack he suffered in 2020.
Mercury died from complications of AIDS in 1991. In 2009, former “American Idol” finalist Adam Lambert began performing with May and Taylor, and they have toured as “Queen + Adam Lambert” ever since.
May received a knighthood from Britain’s King Charles III in March 2023.