Queen's Brian May says 'fragile' John Deacon hasn't seen bandmate in 17 years

John Deacon retired from Queen and the music industry in the late 1990s after years of being reclusive, and hasn't been seen or heard from in over 20 years

John Deacon, the man who completed Queen's iconic line-up over half a century ago alongside Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor, has been living a life of quiet retirement since the band's last studio album, Made In Heaven.

The 73-year-old bassist, who penned the band's best-selling single 'Another One Bites the Dust' and is worth nearly £200 million, has chosen a reclusive lifestyle in southwest London since his departure from the stage in 1997. Often seen in the local area dressed casually with a cigarette and newspaper in hand, his retirement is a stark contrast to his former rock star existence.

In a new chat, Sir Brian May and Roger Taylor, who recently announced significant Queen news, revealed why Deacon doesn't perform and tour with Queen and Adam Lambert and their current relationship with him. When asked if he and Queen drummer Roger Taylor still keep in touch with Deacon, Sir Brian responded: "We're not, it's John's choice.

"He doesn't want to be, he wants to be left alone. That's his choice and I think he needs that. The 77-year-old guitarist said how Deacon hasn't withdrawn out of spite or anything, as they never fell out. Sir Brian continued: " The 77 year old guitarist clarified that Deacon's withdrawal wasn't out of spite or due to any fallout, but rather a need for privacy which they respect, reports the Express.

Deacon is tightly connected to Queen as a business partner with its remaining active members, adding "All I know is, he's okay about it. If he wasn't okay, we would know. That's the arrangement we have." Roger went on to describe Deacon by saying: "He's still obviously our sort of business partner in a way; our silent business partner. He enjoys the financial rewards, but he really doesn't want anything to do with the music industry anymore."

When delving into why Deacon has stepped away, the drummer explained: "I don't think he feels he wants to handle it and all the stuff that goes with it. So no we don't keep in touch actually. John has sort of consciously excluded himself from the world. He doesn't like engaging in contact with anybody I think. I think he's very fragile and we respect that."

Reflecting on their last encounter, Roger disclosed: "I last saw John, I think... We Will Rock You had opened six months before. I saw him there one night, in the bar, and he strolled in. And that's the last time I saw him. Probably 2004."

Sir Brian explained that that was around the last time he saw Deacon in person too. When asked if he thought the Queen bassist would have watched the band's biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, Roger replied: " Roger pondered: "I wonder, I mean I wouldn't put it past him not to have seen it. I just don't know. We're all different aren't we?"

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