A most unlikely publishing event

Take a legendary rockstar, add a longtime BBC presenter and a fresh face who just got his doctorate in astronomy. What do you get? The launch of BANG! THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE, written by Brian May, Sir Patrick Moore & Chris Lintott, the youngest of the trio and the only official astronomer.

How did it come together? The Guardian reveals that a 50 year old program, THE SKY AT NIGHT, did the trick. Moore wrote and presented. A then seven-year-old Brian May watched it, loved the music, and went on to start a doctorate in astronomy, abandonded more than 30 years ago to spend more time with his college band. Although the band, Queen, has done quite well – world record sales are estimated at between 150m and 300m – he promised guiltily yesterday to finish the doctorate as soon as possible.

What rock gods and astronomers have in common, their weary editor said yesterday, is that both are nocturnal animals. They said yesterday they have already begun discussing the next book. What could possibly follow the complete history of the universe from the Big Bang until the poor cold earth falls into the blazing sun? “We’ve got as far as the title,” Sir Patrick said. “But we’re not going to tell you,” May added.

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