While Freddie Mercury and Brian May were behind most of the songs in the iconic UK band’s catalog, Deacon has contributed his share of music – and hits – to their legacy.
The bassist’s first Queen track was “Misfire” from 1974’s “Sheer Heart Attack”; he scored a UK Top 10 hit with 1975’s “You’re My Best Friend” from “A Night At The Opera”; fan favorite “Spread Your Wings” appeared on 1977’s “News Of The World”, while 1978’s “Jazz” included his “If You Can’t Beat Them” and "In Only Seven Days.”
It was John’s infectious bassline on 1980’s “Another One Bites The Dust” that helped earn the group a US No. 1 hit and their best-selling single, with sales of over 7 million copies worldwide and, more recently, over a billion streams on Spotify.
While all of the band teamed up with David Bowie to co-write 1981’s “Under Pressure”, once again it was Deacon’s bass hook that delivered the goods and Queen’s second UK chart-topper.
Among his other hits was 1984’s “I Want To break Free”, which was No. 1 in several countires and reached No.2 in the UK, and then for the “A Kind Of Magic” album, John teamed up with Freddie to create “Friends Will Be Friends”, the band’s 30th single in the UK in June 1986 and featured live throughout the band’s final 1986 The Magic Tour.
Following Mercury’s passing in 1991, Deacon retired from the music industry in 1997.
See also:
Queen continue look at Queenmania in Japan on The Greatest
Queen revisit 1975 tour of Japan
Queen celebrate champions with 1977 classic
Queen continue look back at 1977 classic We Will Rock You
Search Queen at hennemusic
