John being cut out

Chrirons wrote:

Since John Deacon has resigned from Queen, have you also noticed how he's being ignored on all levels.

I had another look at the "Bowl" DVD last night and noticed we get plenty of Brian, Roger & Freddie, but not too much of John.
So OK, he hadn't a great stage presence, but is still 1/4 of the band.


Compilations: Too many Brian & Roger tunes.
John did contribute great singles to the band too, yet they seemed to be eclipsed in the releases after 1995.


Have you also notived this?

John had the highest charting single to date :)

Little_Queenie wrote:

Yes, John did have some great songs, but not as much as Freddie or Brian. It's just a simple fact, so nothing weird he's less mentioned on DVD's than the rest of them. Of course compilations too will have more Brian's songs than John's when Brian wrote much more than John.

John and Roger and Freddie had more hits than Brian! :)

kagezan1313 wrote:

Okay, I take back the "little" out of wienee. There may be bassists of large physical stature. They're still wienees though. And as for bass being the most important instrument besides drums, I've never seen a "bass solo" during a show, never heard anyone say "Hey, listen to that incredible bass!" I'll happily add Flea to the list of bassists who are cool, but that's it. With people like Jack White doing away with bass altogether, I see a light at the end of the tunnel as far as these moody scourges of music go. And honestly, who amongst you could honestly say that John Deacon was a visual draw during a live Queen show? The other three at least did more than bob up and down in place like a wet tea bag. As for accountancy for the band, I've read that with the exception of the Magic tour, every tour they did put the band in the hole. Where was Mr. Deacon then?

IMO, you'll never develop as a "musician" with that attitude, the bass makes or breaks bandsm songs, album. If you don't understand that concept, you'll never be much of an artist.

Have to admit, bass is a very important part. It can make or break a song. And it really drives things along. I wrote a song back in 2002 and the bass part really makes the song. I often feel that without it it wouldn't be as effective. It really showed me that it can be just as important as any other instrumentation included in a track.

Peace,
Adam.

Oh, for God's sake! I love bassists. My bassist is a guitar virtuoso. He plays bass instead of lead or rhythm because he chooses to. And anyone who knows about live performance knows that bass and vocals support each other directly. I just enjoy the odd flame, if the comedic aspects of my rants weren't evident.

I have, however, never liked John Deacon. The chronic bad hair, the squinty eyes and turtle-head manorisms, not to mention the closed-mouth smiles (at least Freddie had a reason to be self-conscious) Later the alcoholism, the DUI, the whole stripper thing, etc. Just a goof, in my opinion. He just seemed not to belong amid the other three.

The one thing he did for which I respect him greatly though was to acknowledge that Queen ceased to exist when Freddie died. That's not intended as a flame for Queen + PR fans. I know Brian and Roger need to do this one last time to cleanse their souls and say goodbye to a life they were forced to leave too soon. They just could have picked a new name tied to Queen, (a la Velvet Revolver) like "The Champions" or such. Perhaps John would have taken part.

I remember watching something ...one guy explained Brian the guitarist...and talked about what he did for the band, same with Roger and Freddie and then he said "and John the bass player" I was waiting for more, but that was it it.

bass is the link between beat and hook. Deacon is a genius, but listen to "When Doves Cry" -- one exception of a great tune w/o bass

Suigi wrote:

kagezan1313 wrote:

Other than Gene Simmons, most bassists are little weinees. They are usually playing bass because real guitar is too challenging for them, so they take up residence in the background, making background noise.

Fnurr?
John Entwhistle was a "weinee"?
Michael Anthony is a "weinee"?

Don't forget John Paul Jones!

kagezan1313 wrote:

[SNIP]

Other than Gene Simmons, most bassists are little weinees. They are usually playing bass because real guitar is too challenging for them, so they take up residence in the background, making background noise. Being a rock frontman myself, I must say from my experience that for all they contribute, they are also awefully picky, opinionated, and usually just a pain in the ass to live with.

Weeeeeeeeeeell, lookee here, y'all. Here's someone who's just looking to be flamed! And y'know what? I think I'm the man to do it! It's 1.00am, I've had a lot to drink, and frankly, this sort of post quite upsets my appreciation of that most excellent of post-drinkie fixes, the kebab.

So firstly, may I apologise - those who know my posts know I'm respectful of all opinions. Secondly, I'm about to use the foulest of language. Blame the drink.

Your post obviously emanates from the orifice of one who does not know or appreciate the work of John Entwistle or Jack Bruce, or the aforementioned James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, Phil Lynott, Stefan Lessard, John Paul Jones, Les Claypool or even our own dear Deaky.

We play bass because we like the rumble, the vibe through the floor...we like being that musical bit between the guitar and the drums.

We like playing bass, because when we do it well, when we show a little flash, when we play a little fill, people notice and comment. They don't get bored the way they do with widdly-widdly-speed-freak guitarists.

And the reason that we are picky, opinionated pains in the ass? We have to live with ego-heavy, small-penised, talentless (and I use the word advisedly) "frontmen"

By the way, "being a frontman" yourself, perhaps you could enlighten this forum as to sharing your canon of well-known work? Deaky only managed a couple of number ones. Did you do better...?

Also, "being a rock frontman" you must have access to some nice studio equipment. The next time you're in the studio, please take a few minutes to take the following songs with you, and remove the bass track. Listen to these songs without the bass and then tell me how they sound. "Being a rock frontman", then, "pretty shit" should be your answer. The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. The Millionaire's Waltz (that's by Queen, by the way). 5.15 or Dreaming from the Waist Down by The Who, especially any live versions. Wild is the Wind by David Bowie. I could go on, but your record collection probably doesn't stretch that far.

By the way, you talked about John Deacon's "closed mouth smile", his "turtle head mannerisms" and lots of other great observations. Do you feel Brian's hair is stupid? Perhaps you don't like Freddie's teeth? Maybe you feel Roger's attempts at remaining young with liberal use of the hairdye are cringeworthy? Or is it because you are the physical embodiment of physical and musical perfection, that you are able to make these in-depth comments?

Apologies for my spelling, erratic grammar etc. I don't usually lower myself to ping-pong arguments in here. However, due to the drink, I will make an exception on this occasion, only because I've been riled and disturbed from my kebab by an arrogant little cunt like you.

I thank you, and goodnight.

When did John use a hooker? DUI? He is a drunk? huh?

Thank God someone mentioned the late great Phil Lynott! The Doobie Brothers' bassist is a guy named Skylark who is a dynamo. Good bass player, with a good voice, and good moves. The guy's all over the stage. Lots of fun to watch and listen to.

Bassists tend to be overlooked . . . it's unfair. I ALWAYS thought John Deacon was cool. Still do. Couldn't give a **** about his personal life as it's none of my business. He's a good musician and he had the stones to branch out into funk, and did it well. I LIKE that he wasn't totally comfortable in front of the camera.

Sorry to disagree, but John Deacon is indeed one cool dude.

QueenForeverTwo : "I remember watching something ...one guy explained Brian the guitarist...and talked about what he did for the band, same with Roger and Freddie and then he said "and John the bass player" I was waiting for more, but that was it it."

You were watching Queen : Is This the Real Life? and watching Bob Geldof talking about the band. I love that bit. It's totally true though, John Deacon is nothing more than a good bass player.
That's not a dig. Ok - I don't like it when someone has the attention of the world, and they choose to sort of not use it. But at the same time it's totally respectable of him to choose a quieter lifestyle. It actually suggests quite a strong character really, that he is better than a lot of people who can't function properly once they've become BIG. Mega Big. Heh. He might be a boring twat, but he's got my respect.

John Deacon is a great bassist and without him queen would be missing 1/4 of what made them great. I dont see it fit to bad mouth him just because he hasnt joined in on any recent queen+ adventures. He is a family man at heart (just listen to the lyrics of Your My Best Friend) and a normal guy (as shown of the Live at Budapest behind the scenes shots) so I think its perfectly fine that he has retired. Roger and Brian can easily keep the Queen legend alive without him but that doesnt mean we have to go acting like hes a traitor or anything. It would be great to see him on stage one last time, but if that never happens its not the end of the world.

[ They are usually playing bass because real guitar is too challenging for them, so they take up residence in the background, making background noise. [/QUOTE]

Good God....

Don't tell that the more an instrument shows off, the more difficult it is to play!

So, experienced frontman, why don't you make up a band without a bass?
I'm curious to hear what it sounds like.

I love people who reply without reading the rest of the thread. You kind of missed the boat on that one, ok.computer. But thanks for the lovely flame though, it was exactly what I was hoping for...about a week ago.