Queen’s Brian May and Sade Producer Robin Millar Knighted in U.K. New Year Honours List

Queen Guitar Brian May , record producer Robin Millar are the top two music industry professionals to be recognized in the King’s 2023 Year Honours List. This annual tradition celebrates the achievements and services of exceptional individuals from the United Kingdom.

Brian May, who co-founded British rock band Queen in 1970 and continues to tour and record with the group, receives a knighthood for services to music and his charity work. May was previously made Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2005.

CBE is the highest-ranking British honour, followed by CBE and then Officer of the British Empire and Member of the order of the British Empire. The title of sir/dame is available to recipients who have been knighted or dame.

Record producer and businessman Millar was also made a knight in King Charles’ first New Year Honours List. This announcement was made Friday (Dec. 30).

Best known for his work with Sade, Millar produced and arranged the band’s multi-million selling 1984 debut Diamond Life and its acclaimed follow-up Promise, which topped the Billboard 200 for two weeks in February 1986. Millar has also produced Randy Crawford, Everything But The Girl and Fine Young Cannibals.

Blue Raincoat Music was founded in 2014, Millar by Jeremy Lascelles, an artist management company and music publishing company. It has offices in London, New York, and Los Angeles. Blue Raincoat bought Chrysalis Records 2016, and relaunched the imprint as a leading label four years later.

Millar, who has been registered blind since the age of 16 and is chair of U.K. disability charity Scope, serves as executive group chairman and chief creative officer of Blue Raincoat Chrysalis Group.

Other music professionals who were recognized in the 2023 Honours List are Geoff Taylor , the outgoing chief executive at U.K. labels trade organization BPI and BPI chair Yolanda brown .

Taylor, who exits the London-based organization Saturday (Dec. 31) after 15 years as chief executive, is awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to music. Taylor stated that the honor “means a lot to me” and dedicated it to the “whole BPI Team, who work every single day to protect and value the music .”

Brown, who was named BPI chair in July has been given an OBE for services related to music, music education, and broadcasting.

The same title is bestowed upon Peter Leathem, CEO of U.K. collecting society PPL since 2012. Leathem stated that being awarded an OBE in recognition of his contributions to the music industry was “a tremendous honour .”

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Other music honorees include composer George Fenton ,, who receives a CBE Award.

In total, 1,107 people are recognized on the 2023 New Year Honours List, spanning all walks of life. The U.K. oversees the awarding of honours. Cabinet Office accepts nominations from members of the public or government departments. The selection committee produces a list with honorees that is then submitted to King Charles, the British monarch, for approval.