Barry Mitchell, who briefly held down bass duties for Queen before John Deacon completed the band's classic lineup, has died at 76.
Queen's official archivist, Greg Brooks, announced the news on Facebook. "Terribly sad news just received that early Queen bass player (circa 1970), Barry Mitchell, has passed away," Brooks wrote. "His anecdotes at the convention were fascinating and offered rare insight. He will be greatly missed."
Mitchell joined Queen in August 1970, replacing original bassist Mike Grose, and played 13 shows with Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor before departing in January 1971. Doug Bogie briefly filled in for two gigs before Deacon arrived to round out the lineup that would carry Queen to global fame. Mitchell is credited with writing the original bass lines for "Liar" and "Son and Daughter," songs later included on Queen's 1973 self-titled debut.
Reflecting on his short stint with the band in a 2018 interview, Mitchell was candid about why it didn't last. "They fired me because they thought I was useless," he joked. "In fact, it was me who wasn't enthusiastic enough about their music. This didn't necessarily go in the direction I wanted to go." Before Queen, he played with a band called Conviction, and afterward joined Tiger (formerly Crushed Butler) and Jayne Raydio.
Mitchell, who had been living in Northampton, England, is survived by two daughters.
Even the smallest chapters of a story can leave a lasting mark - Mitchell's few months with Queen quietly shaped songs still loved by millions today. Our condolences go out to his family and loved ones.
