Legendary rock band Queen, formed in 1970, comprised four extraordinary musicians: the late Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon, who retired from music in 1993. The band is one of the most influential rock bands of all time. The band’s legacy was recently honored on Tuesday, May 27, when May and Roger were conferred with the 2025 Polar Music Prize in recognition of their impact on the world of music.
The duo, while receiving the award, spoke about their careers, which have spanned several decades, and also reflected on the prestige of being deemed worthy of such recognition.
Brian May reflects on Queen’s unexpected success during Polar Music Prize acceptance speech
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During his acceptance speech, May reflected on the incredible journey he and his bandmates have experienced since the early days of the group’s formation, stating that the younger version of himself could never have imagined that the group could attain the level of success and fulfillment they now have five decades later. He acknowledged that even though they had ambitions, the accolades they have received in the course of their career have exceeded their wildest dreams.
The 77-year-old also expressed profound gratitude to the organizers of the Polar Music Prize for recognizing their efforts enough to include them among the prestigious list of laureates.
Queen fans react to Brian May’s Polar Music Prize acceptance speech
Queen fans were so moved by the heartfelt acceptance speech delivered by May that they flooded social media with emotional congratulations and personal reflections. They expressed how deeply the speech resonated with them, with one admirer admitting to being moved to tears by the legendary guitarist’s touching words.
The fans eulogized May and Taylor, emphasizing how they have ensured the continuity of the band despite the death of lead vocal Freddie Mercury and the retirement of Bassist John Deacon. They also noted that the band was worthy and ultimately deserved the prestigious Polar Music Prize for its consistency and considerable contributions to the world of music.