John Deacon
Photo: Unknown photographer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA (editorial use)
John Richard Deacon (born 19 August 1951) is an English bassist, songwriter, and musician, best known as the bass player for the band Queen.
His most direct connection to David Bowie came through the creation of the 1981 single “Under Pressure”, a landmark collaboration between Bowie and Queen.
- Name: John Richard Deacon
- Born: 19 August 1951 (Leicester, England)
- Role: Bassist, songwriter
- Bowie link: Co-writer and performer on “Under Pressure” (1981)
- Core idea: Melodic basslines, structural simplicity
The quiet architect of Queen’s sound
John Deacon was known within Queen as the most reserved member, yet his musical contributions were foundational. His basslines often served as the structural backbone of the band’s songs, combining clarity, groove, and melodic intelligence.
Deacon also wrote several of Queen’s most successful tracks, demonstrating a keen sense of economy and emotional balance.
Meeting David Bowie
David Bowie entered Queen’s orbit in 1981 during recording sessions in Montreux, Switzerland. What began as an informal studio visit evolved into a spontaneous and intense creative exchange.
Bowie’s presence shifted the session from routine recording into full collaboration.
The bassline of “Under Pressure”
John Deacon’s bassline for “Under Pressure” is among the most famous in popular music history. Built around a simple descending figure, it anchors the song’s emotional tension and rhythmic drive.
The line’s restraint allows space for the vocal interplay between Bowie and Freddie Mercury, while remaining instantly recognisable.
Collaborative creation
Unlike many guest appearances, “Under Pressure” emerged through collective experimentation. Deacon’s bass part was not merely accompaniment, but a defining compositional element around which the song evolved.
Bowie’s lyrical urgency and Deacon’s grounding bass created a dynamic balance between intensity and control.
After Queen
Following Freddie Mercury’s death and Queen’s later projects, John Deacon withdrew from public musical life, choosing privacy over continued fame.
Despite his absence, his musical legacy remains deeply embedded in both Queen’s catalogue and the broader history of popular music.
John Deacon in Bowie’s creative universe
In Bowie’s creative universe, John Deacon represents the power of musical understatement. His contribution to “Under Pressure” demonstrates how a single, well-placed idea can define an entire song.
The collaboration stands as a rare moment where Bowie intersected with Queen’s internal chemistry — and Deacon’s bass made it timeless.