Desert Island Discs: What Would You Choose ?

Desert Island Discs is a long-running BBC Radio 4 programme. It was first broadcast on January 29, 1942 and is said by the Guinness Book of Records to be the longest-running music programme in the history of radio.

Six UK Prime Ministers have been on the programme, other guests have been as varied as Stephen Hawking, Benny Hill, Engelbert Humperdinck, Sid James, Stephen King, , Paul McCartney, John Malkovich, Brian May, Princess Margaret and J.K. Rowling

Each week a guest plays there selections with some pretty interesting results;

Nick Hornby, British author and music critic plays the following:

1. 'Kitty's Back' Bruce Springsteen
2. 'You Wear It Well' Rod Stewart
3. 'Complainte pour Moi' Catherine Kate and Anna McGarrigle
4. 'The Love You Save' Jackson Five
5. 'Fatou Yo' Toure Kunda
6. 'Night Ride Home' Joni Mitchell
7. 'My Heart is the Bums on the Street' Marah
8. 'Going Back to Cali' LL Cool J

Brian May, guitarist from Queen

1. Saturn - The Bringer of Old Age from the Planets Suite
2. Maybe Baby Buddy Holly and the Crickets
3. Tracks of My Tears Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
4. Back On My Feet Again The Babys
5. To Know Him Is To Love Him Anita Dobson featuring Brian May on guitar
6. Since You've Been Gone Rainbow
7. Highway to Hell AC/DC
8. We Will Rock You Brian May and Queen

For a full list go to BBC Radio 4 here

What would your's be; here's my list

1. Who Knows: Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsies
2. Venus in Furs: Velvet Underground
3. Keith Jarrett: Koln Concert Pt1
4. California: Joni Mitchell
5. Immigrant Song: Led Zeppelin
6. Spain: Chick Corea
7. Holy Diver: Dio
8. Landslide: Fleetwood mac

Queen's Brian May Made University Chancellor for Contribution to Astrophysics

It seems Queen's Brian May (or Brian Harold may CBE), Queen guitarist has recently been honored with the position of Chancellor of John Moores University in Liverpool, England.

Brian is actually quite an expert in astrophysics, of all things, completing his Phd at the tender age of 60 years old. Apparently he started this interest way back in the 70's, studying at the Imperial College, London, but quitting when Queen became bog.

Brian will now will start his fellowship, which was awarded for his contributions to astronomy, he will also be expected to be prewent at graduation ceremonies, so no more boring pipe organ or trumpet solos.

"I am passionate about education and lifelong learning. It really doesn't matter how old you are or what stage of your life you are in, it is never, ever too late to start learning."

Queen's new album with Paul Rodgers is due out in September

Image: Courtesy EMI