Brian May Clarifies John Deacon’s Queen Role

Brian May recently told Mojo if John Deacon still plays in Queen. “John still has a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ say,” the guitarist said. “We get messages that he’s happy with what we’re doing, but he doesn’t want the creative stress, and we respect that. Unfortunately, we can’t talk to Freddie.”

He said, “But Roger and I know what our fellow Queen members would be saying because we worked together for so long. This thing is longer than any marriage.” Freddie Mercury’s 1991 death devastated Deacon, who stopped performing. In 1997, the bassist quit from music after a few more gigs and has remained anonymous.

Deacon has kept a low profile since retirement. He didn’t attend Queen’s 2001 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction or work with Paul Rodgers or Adam Lambert. Despite not seeing his old bandmates, he oversees Queen’s business.

May answered Guardian readers’ questions last year about why Deacon departed Queen after Mercury’s death. “I can only say that John was historically very sensitive to stress,” he remarked. We all battled to lose Freddie, but John really did.” The musician said, “We knew he needed a break, but he never returned. John is still part of the band’s machinery, but I can’t say more because we need to protect his privacy.

“We always consult John on major business decisions. Though he rarely speaks, he will communicate. Queen still has him, May said. Queen performs with Lambert as vocalist despite their former bassist’s absence. The 2023 North American Rhapsody Tour began. They last performed in Japan in February 2024.