Comments | academics_anon: The Lure of the Academy

eve_prime in academics_anon

The Lure of the Academy

Jul 26, 2007 09:32

"Brian May is completing his doctorate in astrophysics, more than 30 years after he abandoned his studies to form the rock group Queen.

"The 60-year-old guitarist and songwriter said he plans to submit his thesis, "Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud," to supervisors at Imperial College London within the next two weeks."

Read more (AP ( Read more... )

taking-time-off, general-musings-on-academia

Comments 43

(The comment has been removed)

eve_prime July 26 2007, 16:39:14 UTC

He was my favorite, back in the 70s when I was a Queen fan.

elricmelnibone July 26 2007, 17:05:01 UTC

You aren't anymore? For shame. I was just listening to their greatest hits this morning.

eve_prime July 26 2007, 17:42:22 UTC

One of these days I'll get a needle for the turntable and try out the old records again. I don't know if "The Prophet's Song" would hold up 30 years later, but I'm pretty sure I'd still be into 'I'm in Love with my Car."

Thread 19

sevenjades July 26 2007, 16:46:24 UTC

Good for him! Nice to see him following his stars, so to speak. :)

eve_prime July 26 2007, 17:48:50 UTC

I have some vague recollection of another ABD rock star - microbiology? Can't think of who. Maybe May could start a trend.

eve_prime July 26 2007, 17:51:14 UTC

Aha! Dexter Holland of Offspring.

pansette July 26 2007, 19:09:26 UTC

Is he still ABD?
I thought I'd heard a few years ago he was still actively pursuing it... hmph.

Thread 6

valknott July 26 2007, 16:46:56 UTC

So, he's "Under Pressure,", eh?

:-)

eve_prime July 26 2007, 17:45:05 UTC

Hee.

(The comment has been removed)

ecila_etc July 26 2007, 16:52:29 UTC

that's what I thought but apparently it's just that it's really obsure astronomy, so no one had 'scooped' him and his data was still valid.

he's been hanging around campus a lot the last year or so, from all reports he went and studied and brought it up to date as well as writing it up.

imluxionverdin July 26 2007, 19:03:59 UTC

That's fantastic. Well done to him.

egretplume July 26 2007, 19:17:11 UTC

I believe Brian May stayed interested in astronomy over the years. His blog goes on about astronomy quite a bit. He co-authored a popular science nonfiction book in recent years with a more famous astronomer.
So I don't think they were just being nice to him, except perhaps by waiving a deadline or something, as they would for anyone sufficiently wealthy, I'm sure.

I am happy for Brian, though he was never my favorite, but a return to academia is much to be desired over another oldies tour with a subpar replacement singer.

Thread 8

Wow margaret_yakoda July 26 2007, 17:57:11 UTC

Brian May was always my favorite too, but I think he's just become my "non-traditional student" hero!

Re: Wow eve_prime July 26 2007, 18:17:12 UTC

Aww, and not me? ;)

Re: Wow margaret_yakoda July 26 2007, 19:14:06 UTC

No offense, but.... How many platinum records do you have? :p

I can just see the scene. May walks back on to campus to discuss finishing his work. The prof thinks.... "What? Does this guy think he's some sort of rock star? Oh, ya... I guess he does."

Re: Wow eve_prime July 26 2007, 19:19:29 UTC

Oh, I definitely lose out on the coolness factor. *grin*