Brian May Makes Triumphant Return to Stage After Stroke Ordeal
Renowned Queen guitarist Sir Brian May made a surprise appearance at the Coachella music festival on Friday night, taking to the stage alongside singer-songwriter Benson Boone. The 77-year-old rock legend’s return to performing comes just days after his wife, Anita Dobson, confirmed that he had made a full recovery from a stroke he suffered in August 2024.
According to a report from GB News, May emerged dramatically from beneath the stage in a cloud of smoke to play the iconic guitar solo of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. He remained on stage to perform on Boone’s final song, his 2024 breakthrough single Beautiful Things. The routine was action-packed, with May running across the stage to meet Boone, who even leapt over the legendary guitarist as he rocked out to Queen’s iconic track.
This marks a triumphant return to performing for May, who revealed last September that he had suffered a minor stroke which temporarily left him unable to control one of his arms. In an Instagram post to his 3.4 million followers, May explained that he had been rushed to hospital in late August. "All of a sudden, out of the blue, I didn’t have any control over this arm, so it was a little scary," May said at the time. He described the incident as a "minor stroke" that left him temporarily unable to use his left arm.
As reported by GB News, May received treatment at Frimley Hospital, complete with "blue lights flashing, the lot, very exciting". The guitarist later told Premier Guitar magazine that his recovery was remarkably quick, explaining: "After only a few days, it’s amazing what you can get back. By sheer willpower, you just start retraining your muscles." He estimated he had regained 95 per cent of his abilities, which he said was "enough".
May’s wife, former EastEnders actress Anita Dobson, recently confirmed that the guitarist has made a full recovery from his stroke. "Thank you both for asking. I’m very happy to say he’s very well now. Back to his old self," she told hosts Ed Balls and Charlotte Hawkins. Dobson and May have been together for almost 40 years, having first met in 1986 and married in November 2000.
Boone’s 11-song set at the California festival saw him don an ermine-fur cloak reminiscent of Freddie Mercury’s famous ensemble from Queen’s farewell tour in 1986. The show was a testament to May’s enduring legacy and his ability to still rock out with the best of them. As GB News reported, May’s appearance at Coachella marks a major milestone in his recovery and a return to form for the rock legend.
In an interview with The Sun earlier this year, Dobson spoke about the challenges of May’s recovery, which was complicated when they both fell ill after Christmas. "Brian is stable now. Brian has never been happier since we moved," she said. With May’s triumphant return to the stage, it’s clear that the rock legend is back to his old self, and fans are thrilled to have him back.
