Brian May Says John Deacon is Still 'Part of Queen' and We Have to Respect his 'Privacy' in New Q&A

When Freddie Mercury tragically died in 1991 from complications resulting from AIDS, it seemed like that would be the end of Queen. Despite the irreplaceable loss, surviving bandmates Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon carried on Queen. While the band continued, Deacon played live with Queen only three times after Mercury's passing.

In a recent Q and A with The Guardian, Brian May was asked
"Did you have any inkling that John Deacon would leave the band and take no further part after Freddie’s death, and why do you think he walked away?"

Brian May said
"All I can say is that, historically, John was quite sensitive to stress. We all found it hard, losing Freddie, but I think John particularly struggled. We did do a couple of things together, in 1996: the recording of No One But You – the song I wrote about Freddie when we were putting up the statue to commemorate him in Montreux – and one show in Paris. It was to open the ballet season with an amazing new work by Maurice Béjart, about Mozart and Queen. We played with John on bass, and Elton John sang with us. At that moment, John just looked at us and said, “I can’t do this any more”. We knew that he at least needed a break, but as it turned out he never came back. I don’t think that I can go into much more detail – we have to respect the fact that John needs his privacy now – but he’s still part of the machinery of the band. If we have any major decision, business wise, it’s always run past John. It doesn’t mean he talks to us – generally he doesn’t – but he will communicate in some way. He’s still very much part of Queen."

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[DMC]

*SUBSCRIBE If You Love Brian May and John Deacon*

[patriciamartin]

Sólo deseo que donde se encuentre nuestro querido john este bien, gozando de buena salud y disfrutando de su familia! Te queremos y extrañamos

[xmasbunnyscotland]

Well said Brian, Queen is not dead Fred wanted the Band to continue, John decided to retire from the music business in 1997, 6 years after Fred died he wants to spend the rest of time with his family, unfortunately he is not in contact with B &R although he does work on the business side. I wish him and his family all the very best.

[rhondacrosswhite]

Deacy has been described as the archivist/historian and the one to go to for investment advice so just because he has chosen not to be front and centre with the band, this doesn’t mean that he hasn’t pet his toes in the water behind the scenes.

[HundXanthippe]

They were Queen for 20 years, at some point everything will come to an end. He recognized the end and drew the consequences. Of course, the business side continues and so do his interests, which he will of course look after. But musically he pulled the brakes and let Queen die.

[AZ-kobv]

Hi DM&C! Can You share the Full Q&A?

[sdavis]

He’s not still ‘very much part of Queen’……he IS 1/4 still. Some cash must flow around with these guys, well, as with any group this happens to unless the rights are settled well ahead.
John Deacon is a fourth and will never be put aside in the fans eyes 👀!!