Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed a long-standing silence between himself and former bandmate John Deacon, stating that they haven’t spoken in years. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, May, who is now 78, elaborated on the delicate status of their relationship.
Deacon, the band’s bassist, officially stepped away from public life in the late 1990s and has kept a low profile ever since. Though he no longer contributes creatively or performs with Queen, May says that Deacon remains involved behind the scenes: whenever major business decisions arise, the band still consults him through management. “He’s always consulted … through our management or through our accountant,” May explained.
Despite the lack of direct communication, May emphasizes that they hold Deacon’s wishes in high regard. He acknowledged that Deacon “wants to be separate,” and said that while they don’t speak, the band knows he supports them from a distance. “We don’t speak, which is a shame, but we do know that we have his blessing. That’s important,” May said.
May also shared how his connection to Freddie Mercury, Queen’s late frontman, remains vivid. He stated that Mercury often feels more present in his life than Deacon does, due in part to memories, dreams, and the shared intimacy of their years together. “Brian and I often think he’s in the room in the corner, ’cause we know exactly what he’d say and what he’d think,” he said.
The confession adds a human dimension to Queen’s legendary status, revealing how even enduring musical partnerships can drift apart over time.
