Music is about taste and opinions, JD one of the best bassists ever? That I strongly disagree. A very good and tight bassist yes but not even in the top 20
+Pencilz Galore That whole "seedings" thing like musicians are tennis players is so retarded! Top 20 bass players of all time .... based on what?? Deacon was a superb musician who touched many peoples lives, who cares what his "ranking" is in the sport of bass playing ;)
No one cares about top 20. That was a stupid thing for you to say. Just enjoy music, and please don't waste your life making a top 20 list. How cringey....
Queens' first album listed John as 'Deacon John'. The producer thought it was 'more interesting'. John very much disliked that and asked that they use his given name..John Deacon. John has said, 'when he joined the band he only planned on playing for five, maybe ten yrs.' It wasn't his intention to make a career out of it. He enjoyed the electronics field more, and felt the touring took him away from his family too much. John always had both feet on the ground. Good Man!
Queen is one of the best bands ever. It is great that they keep freddie's music and work alive on stage for people to enjoy. When freddie died they were heartbroken and said Queen is gone, There is no Queen without freddie. Freddie loved music and would have wanted them to carry on as he would have done if someone else had died. They all loved each other deeply and freddies loss was terrible and painful for them all. I praise them all as wonderful people and great musicians. They have moved on from there loss, But I think none of them will ever get over losing freddie. They have honored his work and his memory. Each and every one of them deserves recognition for their part in the legacy that is Queen.
Humble people seem to be oblivious of their greatness. John Deacon is so superb on instrumentals and in his songwriting ability. John Deacon, are you sure your musical chapter is closed? So many wish not! (Freddie Mercury is no more but there is still a wealth of John Deacon!)
I had not realized John's health situation when I wrote this. However, his tremendous talent and contribution to this great band will be around for all time. As David Richards said in his Part 2 Queen interview "they can never be replaced, they were simply too good!"
I would love to hear what John Deacon is doing in his life, post Queen. Great song writer, musician, bassist, and inspiration to Queen fans everywhere. I'm a bassist/vocalist/songwriter. I have been playing for more than 20 years and I still find it hard to achieve John's spirit on the bass. Miss you Deacon John!! All my best. Peace and Love, JPW
I admire John Deacons decision not to play but as one of the best bassists in the world its a shame not to have him next to Brian and Roger. John also contributed material of his own to the band as many fans know. I think I'm correct that before Freddie passed away he left enough material to be used if the surviving members saw fit, plus he wanted their music to Still be played well into the future and this is what Brian and Roger are doing. I personally would like to see John join BM & RT in a charity gig for maybe the "Terence Higgins Trust", a trust close to Freddie's heart! Along with Led Zeppelin Queen have always been the best of the best and I'm sure if they did a charity concert the tickets would sell as fast as when Led Zeppelin were at the O2 arena with Jason Bonham on drums as his Dad John, who was their drummer died years before! Everyone out there, have a nice day.
John, if u care and/or are listening.....I know u want nothing more to do with the industry, touring, sales, managers, interviews, etc. BUT I'M TRULY BEGGING YOU with all that I have, from my little desert home in Tucson, Arizona USA to PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE reconsider one last tour so I can see THE REAL QUEEN before I die. I was 11 when Freddie died. I've seen Brain and Roger tour with Paul Rodgers and I actually thought it was really good. But it's NOT QUEEN WITHOUT YOU, John Deacon!!! PLEASE let your fans, friends and family (the royal family included) enjoy your talents one last time. PLEASE give all those people ONE MORE CHANCE to see you play who've never had the pleasure (that's me). And just between us, you're a much better song writer than Roger ever was hahaha. WE ALL MISS YOU!!!!
he can at least play with bri and roger an instrumental medely, thats all i ask, no vocals just commemorate fred with instruments. bass, drums, red special.
Eddie Loco Hi Eddie, it's me, John Deacon, under my secret identity. I am seriously thinking about your offer, and because I can tell you are a really great guy, I will do it. For special price too: 10 000 dollars !!! That is all.
john Deacon is a hell of a guy simply because since freddie died he refuses to be in Queen for that I respect him and he is the best band member by far.
***** I agree 100% I love Roger and Brian as Musicians, and it's fine if they want to keep making music, but they shouldn't be performing under the name Queen. Without Freddie there is no Queen, just like without Roger, Brian and John there wouldn't be. You need 100%.
***** the problem with that idea is that they would need Tim Staffell as lead vocals for Smile for it to be the proper band Smile otherwise they're just 66.6% of the band, but I don't think people are interested in that tbh!
***** well they own the rights to the name Queen, also wgen they have a singer with them they always add the + symbol so not implying that the singer is part of queen, also at there gigs they and Adam are humbleand pay respects to Freddie and John... The thing is rhey could go by a different name but then they'd really have to play no Queen songs as they wouldn't be Queen, but i'd hazzard a guess that the majority want to listen to Queen songs... Personally I think they should stick to the name Queen and fair play to them for getting out and doing shows and keeping the amazing music live for all those fans that never got to see them between 72 and 86...
Agreed!!! :) He and Roger T-one of the most incredible rhythm sections rock has ever seen, and WILL ever see! Every single video of Queen "live" there has ever been, whenever the camera is on John and you watch what he's doing on EVERY song, he makes it look so effortless!
John Deacon - one of THE most under-rated bass players of all time. Flawless sound, great time, and great little touches here and there which often go unnoticed.
I have many memories and dreams My greatest memory is seeing Queen in1986 play Knebworth Park and it will remain with me for the rest of my days. I have a soft little dream that John Deacon will play with Queen again and I hope I see it with my own eyes. So if your free John I will be at the Queen and Adam Lambert Concert in Birmingham in January 2015.
I was there that day too,fantastic memories. Do you remember that band Belouise Some do that song target practice? And everybody started throwing all those empty plastic bottles? Great times.Queen were note perfect and because I was about 100 yards from the stage, it sounded more like I was listening to them on the radio. I would give anything to relive that day again, with the realization of the importance of that gig.
John Brewer I remember it as if it were yesterday. I was 17 years old and what seemed like a Million miles from home (It was about 120 miles)I was about the same distance from the stage as you I remember the bottle throwing contest and then Status Quo. Big Country were brilliant and as if the Gods were watching the day light faded and there they were Queen My dream had come true. Sadly I remember the Ambulance trying to reach the Fan who was killed. Along with the dates of my wedding and children's births the 9th of August 1986 was a brilliant day in the life of Shed Dweller. If I ever get a time machine I will go back to witness it all again but the memory of that great day will remain with me till the end.
Was there,just turned 16 travelled up with my mate all the way from Northumberland,most vivid memory was some pissed twat behind me trying to steal a girls handbag during friends will be friends...
I also heard, pretty much, that Freddie's passing absolutely devastated him also-that was the "nail in the coffin" as it were as far as his final decision to retire from Queen, and the music business altogether, for the most part.
You're absolutely right. Queen without freddie isn't Queen. But with the name you can make a lot of money. I saw them some years ago with Paul Rodgers and I went home very sad. Nothing to do when I saw them in 1986. It was heaven now it's hell !!!
Queen is not trying to replace Freddie, everyone knows that. I think it was a chance to let people, like me, see them perform their songs live once again. I agree 100% that without John, it really isn't Queen but I did enjoy Paul Rodgers renditions of their songs. I'd rather see paul rodgers, a fellow rocker and musician from the same years as Queen, than Adam Lambert any day.
I hope that you see theses comments today and know that you are one of the greatest bass guitarist of all time. My son is a great fan. Can you tell us if you will be in concert sometime soon. We would hope to see you in person.
That's what I'd love to know, as I would love to see John in concert, as he's one of my heroes too. Matter of fact, he was the first idol I ever had that was not a lead singer.
Noticeably absent from the hullabaloo surrounding the upcoming Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody is one of his Queen bandmates, John Deacon. The band's former bass player has long since retired from the limelight. While guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor continued to record and tour following Mercury's death in 1991, Deacon called it quits long ago. Queen's publicist Phil Symes recently told the Daily Mail, "He's just living a private life." And as an equal shareholder in the band's enterprises, he can afford to do whatever he wants since he has an estimated net worth of about $135 million. "It's his choice. He doesn't contact us. John was quite delicate all along," said May. "I haven't heard a squeak from John," Taylor added. "Not a single guttural grunt." But to some extent that was the plan all along. After auditioning a number of bass players, Queen chose Deacon in part because of his demeanor. "We were so over-the-top, we thought that because he was quiet, he would fit in with us without too much upheaval," Taylor admitted. "He's very solid and no-nonsense," May said. "He's always got his feet firmly on the ground." So perhaps it's not quite so surprising that Deacon -- who wrote the Queen hits "Another One Bites the Dust," "Under Pressure" and "You're My Best Friend" -- recoils from fame. He is even scarce among neighbors in Putney, where he continues to live in the same modest house he purchased with his first royalty check. There, he and his wife have quietly raised six children. Many people in Deacon's life suggest he also suffered from depression that isolated him, especially after Mercury's death. Since then, he's performed only three times. The first was at the 1992 star-studded tribute concert for Mercury. A year later, he and Taylor played to help raise funds for King Edward VII Hospital, while May was on a solo tour. In 1997, the three surviving members of Queen partnered with Elton John to perform "The Show Must Go On" at the opening of the Bejart Ballet in Paris. That same year, Deacon recorded "No-One But You (Only the Good Die Young)," a new track for the Queen Rocks compilation, and then officially retired. He was not present when the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. "We're not in touch, but John's a sociopath, really, and he's given his blessing to whatever Brian and I might do with the brand," Taylor said. "And we've done rather a lot."
When Freddie was still alive, I remember reading an interview that he can't imagine playing for anyone else than Queen. And without Freddie he doesn't want to play with any other band. John is the type who doesn't like change. He even walked out of the Queen Musical because he didn't like the direction and was upset with the Pepsi commercial. Queen and Freddie is very sacred to him, even though him and Freddie butted heads many times.
You are right. Definitely the most underrated member of Queen but he wrote 2 of their biggest hits, "Best Friend" and "Bites the dust". Also, I greatly respect his decision to not continue with the band without Freddie (but it would be cool to see him with them one more time). You are a class act John!!
Almost all of the singles had You And I as B-side. It should have been released as a single. John Deacon is the best. It looks like he liked to be reconized. He never wanted to, but I think he likes the fact that Queen and their fans never did or will in the future forget him. Would love to see him on the streets, would love to see him on stage with Brian and Roger even more :)
John said: I'm glad its over. Face the truth, people: There's a time for everything. Remeber: He did it for decades, nearly his whole life, he just wanted to do something else before he dies ;-) So give him a rest, he deserves it so much. Thank you John, for everything! We'll always remember you. Thank you so much, All the best. We are with you.
In reference to the Queen movie I became so excited when I found out that John had agreed. This tells me that this movie is going to be done right. For years Hollywood has been hounding Queen and now, all of a sudden, all parties have agreed. I trust Brian, John and Roger's judgment.
He's probably doing what most people who have had a long and rewarding career in "whatever" their vocation may have been are doing-enjoying his "not" having to work another day in his life!
I see the point of John not wanting to play without Freddie anymore,Queen is not the same without both.But i was glad i could see the "Return of the Champions" show because to the one of us who were too young to go see the real Queen live,it was a dream come true.But certainly things do have their time.But Queen music will never cease,never die,never silence! God bless John!
Absolutely. That was one of the first songs I heard that was one of Queen's hits. I'm very grateful for having the A Day At The Races album on LP. Too bad Queen never did You And I live. That would have been great!
come on john just one more time with brian and rog i want my sons to see the greatest bass player and often overlooked legendary songwriter play u are the best
Nothing but respect for John Deacon.... Queen without Freddie Mercury on vocals is not Queen, and John knows that. Kudos and respect and respect for him and the other guys for pulling in close to Freddie when he was dying. They didn't blink an eye and stood by his side when he needed it. Yes they were devastated they were going to lose their friend/brother but they loved him and still do.
John I wold love if you would respond. My son is a special need child who has studied you to the depths. He tells me you managed Queens monetary needs and all the songs you were apart of. He watches you constantly on old videos. He is indeed a fan. Can you give any information of an album or performance? He is one who does not want to hear you retired.
@TheRevolutionnow Actually he composed some music for a play. I believe it was in 2005. Back then I was in England for a convention when someone told me about it. I think he has been one of the most outstanding bassplayers in Rock history. And he seems like a nice guy.
I heard that as well (the "Deacon John" story.) Supposedly, he didn't even know his name was going to appear on their first album that way until he saw it! That's when he asked "very firmly" that his name appear as his given name of "John Deacon" from then on!
I forgot and he just reminded me to tell you that he understands that when Freddie died-it was hard. My son is telling me to tell you that he still believes in Queen!
That's true. Queen was composed by 4 people, but the soul of the band was undoubtly, Freddie Mercury. I believe that John Deacon truly understood this and said "no" to Queen+Paul Rodgers.
@Cathie8791 I think the reason John didn't attend the R&R induction was because Freddie wasn't there. Even though it may not seem like it but John was very close to Freddie. Freddie was the oldest and John was the youngest and I think Freddie treated John like a little brother. All three took it hard. To this day they still mourn. Brian even contemplated suicide because of three things: his marriage was failing, his dad's death and Freddie's illness.
