John Deacon, the former bassist of Queen, may have stepped away from the limelight in 1997, but he still plays an important role in the band’s decisions today. In a recent interview with Mojo4Music, Queen’s legendary guitarist Brian May revealed why Deacon, despite his absence from the group’s creative work, retains the power of a final “yes” or “no” on key matters.
“He doesn’t want the stress of being involved creatively, and we respect that,” May shared, emphasizing that Deacon’s decision to stay out of the band’s daily workings is one they fully honor. Even though Deacon remains distant from the creative process, May noted that they regularly receive messages confirming that the retired musician is content with the direction Queen continues to take.
Reflecting on the band’s journey, May, now 77, said, “Freddie [Mercury] we can’t talk to, sadly. But the four of us worked as a team for so long that Roger [Taylor] and I have a pretty good idea what our fellow Queen members would be saying.” He highlighted the enduring nature of their collaboration, remarking that the group’s bond has outlasted most marriages.
Deacon’s Lasting Legacy
John Deacon joined Queen in 1971, solidifying the group as its fourth and final member. His expertise in electronics contributed to some of Queen’s most iconic sounds, including the creation of the Deacy Amp, which Brian May used for the band’s layered guitar orchestrations. Throughout his tenure with Queen, Deacon made significant musical contributions to all of their albums, earning recognition for his talents.
However, following the tragic death of lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1991, Deacon began to distance himself from the band. By 1997, he had fully retired, opting for a life away from the public eye. Deacon has not given any interviews since the 1990s and has remained silent about his involvement with Queen.
Potential New Music from Queen?
Despite Deacon’s absence, there is still hope for new music from Queen. In recent interviews, drummer Roger Taylor hinted at the possibility of creating fresh material. Speaking to Uncut magazine, Taylor said, “Brian and myself were talking the other day, and we both said that if we feel we have some good material, why not? We can still play. We can still sing. So I don’t see why not.”
