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John Deacon

John Deacon is an English retired musician best known as the bassist of Queen.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

John Deacon is an English retired musician best known as the bassist of Queen. He wrote several of the band’s best-known songs, including "Another One Bites the Dust," "You're My Best Friend," and "I Want to Break Free." He left public performing after Queen stopped touring with Freddie Mercury’s death and has largely stayed out of the spotlight since.

Early life

John Richard Deacon was born in Leicester, England, and grew up in Oadby, Leicestershire. Sources describe him as having studied electronics in London before joining Queen.

Career with Queen

Deacon joined Queen in 1971 as the band’s bassist and remained with the group through its most successful years. He also contributed songwriting and occasional guitar, keyboard, and electronics work.

Songwriting and contributions

Deacon wrote some of Queen’s most commercially successful songs, including "Another One Bites the Dust" and "You're My Best Friend." He is also linked to the Deacy Amp, which became important in Queen’s guitar sound.

Retirement from public life

After Freddie Mercury’s death, Deacon withdrew from active performance and later ceased public appearances with Queen. Sources note that he has remained largely private since the late 1990s.

Key facts

  • Joined Queen in 1971 and became the band’s bassist.
  • Wrote major Queen songs including "Another One Bites the Dust," "You're My Best Friend," and "I Want to Break Free."
  • Has been described as a retired musician and has not performed publicly with Queen since 1997.
  • Was born John Richard Deacon on 19 August 1951 in Leicester, England.
  • Is associated with the Deacy Amp, a homemade device used by Brian May.

Frequently asked questions

Who is John Deacon?
John Deacon is a British retired musician best known as the bassist and a songwriter for Queen.
When was John Deacon born?
He was born on 19 August 1951.
What songs did John Deacon write?
He wrote or co-wrote Queen songs including "Another One Bites the Dust," "You're My Best Friend," and "I Want to Break Free."
When did John Deacon leave Queen?
He withdrew from public performance after 1997 and has not appeared in concerts since then.
Is John Deacon married?
Yes. He is reported to be married to Veronica Tetzlaff.
How many children does John Deacon have?
He has six children.

References

  1. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/musicians/john-deacon
    Supports: Birth date, role in Queen, songwriting credits, retirement from the music business.
  2. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Deacon
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, Queen membership, songs written, last concert appearance.
  3. Songwriters Hall of Fame — https://www.songhall.org/profiles/john-deacon
    Supports: Early life, studies in electronics, joining Queen, Deacy Amp, retirement and ongoing interest in Queen's legacy.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Deacon
    Supports: Identification as a British musician and Queen member.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0212577/bio/
    Supports: Birth date, marriage to Veronica Tetzlaff, and six children.