Queen Ends Touring
Queen Guitarist Brian May Rules Out Future Tours Citing Personal Freedom and Family Priorities
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Key Points
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May said he made the decision not to tour about 18 months before the interview, after the family friend’s death made clear he could not leave the tour and return home; he described the loss of freedom as the decisive trade-off.
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In an earlier September 2025 interview, May had not ruled out performing altogether: he said he still wanted to play shows and innovate, even as he questioned whether he wanted to tour.
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May said he scrapped an AI-generated video for his recent song “My Angels Are Calling,” explaining that AI “would have stolen the angels from some artist.” He also described AI’s impact as a moral dilemma and said he was personally terrified by the changes it could bring.
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May urged British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to block AI data centers before it was “too late,” according to Far Out Magazine.
Queen guitarist Brian May has decided to stop touring for good, citing the loss of personal freedom on the road and the need to spend time with his wife, grandchildren, and other pursuits. The decision came about 18 months before his recent interview, triggered by a family friend's death while the band was touring—an event that made clear he could not leave to be with his loved ones when needed. The Times reported May believes "maybe 50 years is enough" after five decades of performing with the legendary rock band.
A Family Friend's Death Changed Everything
May made his decision roughly 18 months before speaking publicly about it. The turning point came when a close family friend died while Queen was on tour. May realized he could not leave the tour to be with his family during that difficult time. The loss made the trade-off clear: touring meant sacrificing the freedom to be present when life's most important moments happened.
This realization shifted May's priorities sharply. He began to value his time with his wife Anita Dobson and his grandchildren over the demands of the road. At 77 years old, May felt he had given enough to touring and deserved to focus on relationships and personal interests instead of the relentless schedule of a world tour.
May Still Open to Performing, But Not Touring
In a September 2025 interview, May had not completely ruled out performing. He said he still wanted to play shows and innovate musically. However, the question of whether he wanted to commit to a full tour remained uncertain. His hesitation centered on the physical and personal toll touring demands, not his ability or desire to perform entirely.
May and drummer Roger Taylor have discussed creating an immersive Queen experience—likely a concert event rather than a traditional world tour. But May has serious doubts about such a project. He believes it would require extensive use of artificial intelligence, a technology he opposes on both personal and ethical grounds.
May's Deep Concerns About AI in Music
May has become increasingly vocal about the dangers of artificial intelligence in the music industry. When he created a recent song called "My Angels Are Calling," he scrapped an AI-generated music video for it. His reason was direct: AI "would have stolen the angels from some artist." He viewed using AI as morally wrong when it replaced human creativity.
Beyond his own work, May sees AI as a broader threat to artists and society. He described the technology's impact as a moral dilemma and admitted he feels personally terrified by the changes it could bring. According to Far Out Magazine, May has urged British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to block AI data centers before it becomes "too late" to stop their expansion.
Queen's Final Tour Ended in February 2024
Queen's last tour with vocalist Adam Lambert wrapped up in February 2024. The band had been touring with Lambert since 2011 after original vocalist Freddie Mercury died in 1991. May's retirement from touring marks the end of an era that began in the 1970s and made Queen one of rock music's greatest live acts worldwide.
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