Deacon not invited? Who cares....?

There has been some speculation that John wasn't even invited to tour. I have no idea if this is true or not but it wouldnt surprise me.

Clearly neither Roger or Brian have anything other then a business relationship with John. Why bother asking someone who clearly (as evidenced by his actions) does not want to have anything to do with Queen anymore.

That is John's decision and I respect his right to make it. I would also then respect Brian and Rogers decision not to invite him. Why would you want someone so negative about the tour to be around? To gain more legitamacy for the use of the Queen name?

I personally would like to see a bass player there who is as excited about the tour as Brian or Roger is. If thats not John anymore then bring on Pino Pallodino or whoever else they have in mind!

There have been a lot of rumours lately. One said they had a meeting this month, Benn told us (I'm curious what his source is) that he wasn't even asked... Well, I don't know what's the thruth, but asked or not... he woudn't have done it anyway.

And I think that the fact Brian and Roger did what they did with Robbie Williams and 5ive etc had a huge amount to do with John's position on the issue.

Remember that John was the business brain behind the band in the early days - as I understand it he was the one that pushed for the split from John Anthony and Roy Thomas Baker and the move to John Reid as well. Imagine having been the one to drive that forward only for those terrible ncollaborations to happen when YOU believe that the band should not do anything? How would you feel if you wer ein that position? Would you want to do anything with them.

I think that QPL left Brian and Roger in the shit because they were still personally contracted to work for them. I would *assume* that John either wasn't personally contracted past a certain date or he was able to buy himself out of the contract at a time that he felt comfortable.

Hence, John doesn't have to do anything that John doesn't want to do.

QPL is not some evil monster out there. QPL is Brian, Roger and John! A few years back someone posted a link to the financial statements of the company. The company is OWNED by the 3 of them plus I think Mary got Freddies shares.

I would have assumed that the production company worked for the band and not vice-versa. As a Director of the firm Deacon would still have his royalties paid from QPL to his own production company (was is Goldfinch Ltd??). As QPL owns the majority of sound recordings (and through sister comapnies the visual/computer/theatre etc)it's owners (including JD) have a say in what's released etc or have the right to a say.
Deacon may be retired from the stage and recording but I still believe he can throw a spanner in the works if he so desires by objecting to a project release. He has not exercised this right,as far as we know, and is quite content going on holidays and counting his fortune....which increases every time his colleagues do some work! The man is a genius!

It will never stop does it? :-)
I think the guys have a very clear agreement between them. As far as I know John is informed (if necessary) about Queen activities.
How would you feel if you clearly said "no" to being involved, if you were still asked over and over again?
I think Brian and Roger are much more aware of how John feels. And I even believe they're still friends. See it as a guy that once was a collegue.

I would say that it has been a long time since John was last asked to 'join' the band, something along the lines of refusal often offends. Furthermore I think that too much water has "gone under the bridge" and things have moved so would John be welcome back with open arms now by the other 2?

I checked up on it. I have access to company information as it is a requirement of my job. The following is the shareholders information for Queen Productions Limited (the infamous QPL!)

Shareholders:
1. F MERCURY (EXECUTOR OF)
2. MR B MAY
3. MR J DEACON
4. ROGER TAYLOR

Nobody else has any shares in QPL!

If anyone would like the full financial report, I would be happy to e-mail it to you. :-)

If you look at FM's last will the executor of that document is one Henry James Beach acting on behalf of Mary, Freddies parents and his sister, so in effect he, JB, represents a quarter of the group and acts on behalf of Fred as well as looking after the entire group, a powerful figure!

After all, he was the one who kept his word.

"no queen witout freddie"..he never changed his mind like Brian and Roger did.
I can't wait to see this concert, but I have to admit I pity those who still want John to join.
Let him be.

And Linda, if I was 13 I'd really really like You much :-P lol

Now, do you really think he would come? After all this time??
No....

John has decided to gracefully retire in peace and I think we should all respect his wishes and hope he has a long and happy life.

If you were put in his shoes, with the amount of money we presume he has would you go out on the road if you didn't want to ?

I really see his point of view...but in his shoes, i'd keep on playing until i die..

i can't imagine myself not bein' active. retiremed is a pre-death in my opinion, but he seems to be the quiet guy so it's alright.

And I say again, he kept his word.

Indeed he did...

Bless him....

it would be nice to see john deacon play because he knows how brian and roger work and to get the best out of the shows for the fans would be great,i live in the same town as john and i supose im a big fan and would like to see him because of that,but if he chooses to retire from the music life then have a happy retirement.