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John Deacon

#6
Bett said:
Queen was one of the reasons I began to play bass.
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+1

Hearing Deacon's runs on Queen records were what made me say, "Damn, now THAT'S an instrument I need to learn." And why I bought a P Bass, too.

He was most certainly underrated. Probably because he did the bassist's job, and damn well, too.

It's too bad he's no longer playing, but I can respect that. Queen wasn't the same after Freddie's passing.
 
#10
My number #1 influence and favorite bass player ever! His work on earlier queen tracks such as "Liar" off of Queen I and "The Millionaire Waltz" is remarkable! I love the guy! News of the World, Jazz, and yes the Game have some of the greatest Deaky parts as well. The Game: "Dragon Attack", "Sail Away Sweet Sister", "Save Me" and of course "Another one Bites the Dust"! I love Queen and I love Deaky! And yes, he is criminally underrated!
 
#11
joeman583 said:
My number #1 influence and favorite bass player ever! His work on earlier queen tracks such as "Liar" off of Queen I and "The Millionaire Waltz" is remarkable! I love the guy! News of the World, Jazz, and yes the Game have some of the greatest Deaky parts as well. The Game: "Dragon Attack", "Sail Away Sweet Sister", "Save Me" and of course "Another one Bites the Dust"! I love Queen and I love Deaky! And yes, he is criminally underrated!
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I agree wholeheartedly. His tone when he hits his 1st note in Bohemian Rhapsody is pretty much the "tone in my head" that I've been trying to emulate for as long as I've been playing. It's just so sweet and pure.
 
#12
buzzbass said:
I agree wholeheartedly. His tone when he hits his 1st note in Bohemian Rhapsody is pretty much the "tone in my head" that I've been trying to emulate for as long as I've been playing. It's just so sweet and pure.
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His tone is in my opinion the most beautiful bass tone I've ever heard. His high-end upper register playing which is his trademark was so perfect and beautiful along with Brian May's heavenly guitar playing and Freddies classical style of piano playing! Brilliant! His tone in Bo Rhap is gorgeous. Obviously Freddies piano playing during the verses in Bo Rhap would not be the same without Deaky's playing. I would say the same for a track such as "My Melancholy Blues" off of News of the World.
 
#13
joeman583 said:
His tone is in my opinion the most beautiful bass tone I've ever heard. His high-end upper register playing which is his trademark was so perfect and beautiful along with Brian May's heavenly guitar playing and Freddies classical style of piano playing! Brilliant! His tone in Bo Rhap is gorgeous. Obviously Freddies piano playing during the verses in Bo Rhap would not be the same without Deaky's playing. I would say the same for a track such as "My Melancholy Blues" off of News of the World.
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Don't forget Taylors drums!
 
#14
JmJ said:
You gotta like him, if you're paying attention.
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Well said. I used to think he was the odd duck in Queen - the weak link, or at any rate, the least exciting player.

But I've watched lots of their live DVDs and read up on them more, and have come to realize that each member played a big part in writing, singing and contributing to their total sound.

Deacon's fluid high register runs were mentioned. Killer Queen is a good example of this. He alternates between fingerstyle and pick too, to suit the song. And he also playes some guitar.

I heard he is retired from the music biz now. is this true?
 
#15
Another bassist that sits quietly behind the band, and does "perfect" bass lines. He knows what, and when, to play. His sound was always just right. From what I remember, it was Deacon that became band leader when they hit the studio. His background gave him knowledge they needed, and that's where he became band leader.
 
#18
He really was the less exciting part of the group, as far as personality/flamboyance goes* (he almost never, ever sang live and I doubt he ever sang in the studio, plus he was a very silent and reserved individual), but the same thing could be said of John Entwistle.

He is like the guy who plays drums with U2: out of the way of the "stars", but he does his job very well and with taste. All the Queen tracks have good basslines.

* But what would you expect, playing alongside of Freddy ?
 
#19
Love his Bass playing AND his song writing!!!!!!! His minimalist style is beautiful, Simple & stylistically GREAT!!!! I got into Queen in a big way in 1977 when i was in my 1st band & we went thru a BIG Led Zep & queen frenzy!!! We played whatever we could from Queen & every Led Zep song Then (IIRC) when "Jazz" album was released & B4 that We will rock U(forgive me if I got the order of these wrong- U know --if U remember the '70's................) Queen were blowing us away w/ sheer originality & production techniques. All this while PUNK was saying Queen & the like were BORING OLD FARTS (B.O.F.'s) Funny- coz I liked punk AND Queen, Led Zep, Stones etc.....
But back to OT- Deacon was simply great with his simple style-no wasted notes! Loved his bass playing then & STILL DO TODAY!
 

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