Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵
Brian May Initially Doubted Relationship with Anita Dobson Over Musical Differences
Queen guitarist Sir Brian May has revealed he initially had reservations about his relationship with Anita Dobson, now his wife, because of their differing musical tastes. May admitted he “didn’t think” their relationship would last, specifically noting Dobson’s dislike for Led Zeppelin and her fondness for musical theatre, genres he admitted struggling with at the start of their relationship. Speaking to OK magazine in 1998, May confessed surprise at the longevity of their bond.
Initial Hesitations and Differing Interests
“I guess I’m surprised that it’s lasted,” May stated in the interview. He elaborated on the strong connection they shared despite contrasting preferences: “We have an incredible attraction to each other, a huge need for each other, which no one else can fulfill, but all the time life is telling us that it doesn’t work, because we don’t like the same things, we don’t like to be in the same places! I didn’t think that I could ever be with someone who didn’t like Led Zeppelin!”
Embracing New Experiences and Mutual Enrichment
May further explained how Dobson’s interests broadened his horizons, albeit initially reluctantly. “The stuff she likes I got dragged into by my heels – you know, the whole world of musical theatre made me physically ill – and still occasionally does,” he jested. However, he acknowledged the positive impact of these experiences: “But I’ve got used to it now because of her. I’ve learnt so much; she has enriched my life beyond measure.” He highlighted how exposure to musical theatre, despite his initial aversion, ultimately broadened his perspectives.
From Relationship Doubts to West End Success: “We Will Rock You” Musical
Despite being together for over a decade at the time of the interview, the couple married two years later in May 2000. Interestingly, Brian May’s initial disdain for musical theatre took a surprising turn when he and Queen bandmate Roger Taylor launched “We Will Rock You” in May 2002. This jukebox musical, featuring an array of Queen’s iconic songs, demonstrated a significant shift in May’s engagement with the genre.
“We Will Rock You”: A West End Phenomenon
Written by Ben Elton and supported by Hollywood icon Robert De Niro, “We Will Rock You” premiered as the most expensive musical production in West End history, costing £6.5 million. The ambitious project quickly proved successful, recouping its investment within fifteen months of its opening. The musical enjoyed a remarkable run at the Dominion Theatre until 2014, becoming one of the longest-running shows in the venue’s history, surpassing the previous record by nine years.
Legacy and Continued Success
“We Will Rock You” remains among the top 10 longest-running musicals in West End history, having been performed an impressive 4,600 times during its initial run. Its popularity led to touring productions and a triumphant return to the West End for a limited engagement in 2023.
Reflecting on the musical’s inception, May emphasized its artistic integrity. “It’s not just like, let’s sling some songs into a story at all,” he explained. “It’s very much, I guess, we always took our work very seriously.” He concluded, “So this is a genuine attempt if you like to make something which will stand for the rest of time as a musical, and perhaps some people in the future will forget that these songs ever had a life elsewhere. I don’t know.”