Why, when and how did John Deacon leave Queen after so much success?

Sometimes the break up of a band is inevitable. Or it may be a serious fracture with some members going in one direction and others remaining. But there is almost always an uncomfortable trigger that makes it happen.

John Deacon hasn't been an active Queen member for many years now. The original lineup of the band changed dramatically when Freddie Mercury died in November 1991. The three remaining members went on to work on old recordings by Mercury and released a new Queen album, Made In Heaven, with all four of the band featured. 

Released in 1995 the record went on to be their highest-selling studio album. It was one of the last significant involvements Deacon had with the band. His final public appearance came on January 17, 1997 in Paris. He,  Brian May, and Roger Taylor reunited onstage for a single song appearance with Elton John. 

John Deacon leaves Queen after final onstage show.

That song with Elton was part of a Ballet For Life show to raise AIDS awareness, a very appropriate cause. They performed a seemingly appropriate version of “The Show Must Go On”. Deacon felt differently afterward. He admitted to May and Taylor after the performance that he couldn't continue anymore. Deacon did later play on the recording of “No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)” in October 1997, that was the end though. He had officially retired from the band and performing.

Deacon has kept a very low profile ever since, in much the same way as he was the quiet man of the band. Deacon was happy previously, playing his bass and writing songs alongside the flamboyance of Mercury and the huge stage presence of both Brian May and Roger Taylor. But his time with the band was now over. 

The reason for Deacon’s departure and retirement is all wrapped up in Mercury’s death. It hit the band very hard but Deacon saw it as much more. As an excellent article and interview with him, The Invisible Man at Bassist & Bass Techniques explains, Deacon saw it as the end of the band. 

Speaking after Mercury’s death he said "As far as we are concerned, this is it.” "There is no point carrying on. It is impossible to replace Freddie."  Taylor and May picked up the Queen reins and have continued to promote the band through the stage show “We Will Rock You”, album collections, and touring as Queen+ initially with Paul Rodgers and now with Adam Lambert. Bass players are being recruited for tours to replace Deacon. 

John Deacon keeps his distance from Queen, but with a watchful eye on the business

May has explained that while there isn't any social content with the ex-bassman, Deacon still keeps an eye on the band's financial position.  Deacon also gives the nod of approval to key projects,  the  2018 hit movie Bohemian Rhapsody for example. He has also declined several approaches to rejoin the band over the years. 

Certainly, it’s not the same band without Mercury, he’s very much missed by many. So Deacon has a point in his declaration above. To be fair, there is no pretense that Lambert is a replacement, the singer makes that point clearly himself. But he does give a great performance on the tours and helps keep the music of Queen very much alive. Deacon though seems comfortable and appreciative of that, but from his retirement seat rather than onstage.

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