Let's go with both theory that John still plays the odd bass to completly walking away from all music...
How long would it take to get back to speed if he ever did a one off or studio work.
Going from your guys experience. Is it like hopping back on a bike being a little rusty.. or being a finger bass player and with age.... is it alot more difficult
I was a playing musician & teacher (guitarist) for 18 years then stopped for nearly 20 years. Didn't play a guitar at all. I went back to playing and performing 5 years ago. It didn't take long to get back into it really, though the fingers are a little slower these days. So I don't think it would of taken long technique wise, but he'd probably would have to spend some time remembering some of his lines.
It's nice to think he still plays and writes, but I feel he would've joined a little local covers band by now and play for the love of it.
I'd say he no more plays a little at home than a retired accountant occasionally gets the calculator out and does some complicated sums to 'keep his finger in'.
I wonder if he has much of a collection of old demos still? I hate to think he's probably dumped them.
Well it sounds like John stays in his home 24/7 as he's rarely seen in the public. What must he do in all this hours and days? Brian is always super-busy, while John is the exact opposite.
It'll be interesting what he has to say about music, whether he still loves it (not for the reason of earning more money because of course he'll be checking to make sure the band don't overspend so he'll get less money).
In my opinion, it's not normal for anyone to not see someone (in this instance, his band mates) which that person knew for 27 years on a daily basis. I doubt they had a falling out so it must've been not getting over the loss of Freddie as John was the closet to him.
It's quite normal really - you have one thing in common with these people (the band) and once that goes there is nothing to talk about. You drift away. Like meeting old work colleagues. Once you've done the 'so.. hows work?' 99% of the time there's not much else you have in common.
^definitely that's so true... how many times have you left a job and promised everyone on your last day... "I will come back and visit you guys..." maybe once or twice then that's it...
So many musical celebrities that have taken their own life some you could see coming Kirk cobain.. others came out of the blue.... Chris Cornell money fame wife and even kids...
Very few that I can think off... that totally fell of the side of the earth that still walk amongst us... Syd Barrett is the only famous musician I can think off... John Deacon though.... yes just a bassist but a bassist who was in one of the most famous rock band from start to finish and also one of the very few who could claim the title of writing some of the world's greatest anthems.... He wasn't directly in the same limelight as Freddie Roger and Brian.... I'd love to know what musicians are out there that achieved some recognition to the same extent that John has and has taken the same path that John has regards to a complete private life.... Not taking their own life....
Great replys though... It wouldn't take him long to get back into the groove of the bass and let his fingers doing the walking if he ever decided to make one last....and for Mat Z.... does John still have his bass guitars... are they sitting in a stand next to the fire ready to be loved and get that ocassional trip down memory lane jam with the kids...or are they locked away as some haunting ghost of the past..
I don't know. I'm certain there's one along a wall somewhere out or just resting on a stand. He's John Deacon after all. Maybe near some project computers/oldtime electronics stuff.
I'd still take him for a tinkerer.
Btw: John if you're reading, ....and if you're still not using your basses... could i have one? ... Wouldn't have to be the fender. .. it could be the Music Man or even the buzzard from Warwick used on the FRIENDS WILL BE FRIENDS video
I've been politely asking in this forum for perhaps a decade now.
Just sayyiing! ;)