Shock as Queen’s Original Bassist Barry Mitchell Dies
Remembering Barry Mitchell: Queen’s Forgotten Bassist
Who Was Barry Mitchell?
Barry Mitchell was a musician who played bass guitar for the famous rock band Queen—but only for a very short time. Think of him like a substitute teacher who only stayed for a few weeks before the regular teacher arrived.
Important Note: Barry was Queen’s second bassist ever. He came after Mike Grose and before John Deacon, who became the band’s famous long-time bassist.
The Quick Timeline of Barry’s Queen Days
Here’s what happened in simple steps:
- August 1970 – Barry joins Queen after their first bassist (Mike Grose) leaves
- August 1970 – January 1971 – Barry plays 13 concerts with Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor
- January 1971 – Barry leaves the band
- Two gigs later – Doug Bogie tries out as bassist
- February 1971 – John Deacon joins and completes the classic Queen lineup we all know
Why Did He Leave? (In His Own Words)
Barry explained his departure in a 2018 interview. At first, he joked:
"I was fired because they thought I was useless."
But then he shared the real reason:
"I wasn’t enthusiastic enough about their music… This didn’t necessarily go in the direction I wanted to go. At the time, they weren’t at all the cult band you all know. I didn’t see the potential. It’s crazy to say this now but it’s the truth."
ELI5 Explanation: Imagine you’re in a garage band with friends. You don’t think they’ll ever be famous, so you quit to do something else. Years later, they become the biggest band in the world. That’s basically what happened to Barry!
Before Queen: Crushed Butler & Tiger
Before joining Queen, Barry played in a band called Crushed Butler (later renamed Tiger). They were part of the early 1970s London rock scene—kind of like a practice run before his brief Queen adventure.
The Announcement
Queen’s official archivist (that’s like the band’s historian), Greg Brooks, shared the sad news on Facebook with an old black-and-white photo of Barry. He wrote:
"Terribly sad news just received that early Queen bass player, Barry Mitchell, has passed away. His anecdotes at the convention were fascinating and offered rare insight. He will be greatly missed."
Details not shared publicly: Barry’s age and cause of death.
Family
According to his Facebook page, Barry is survived by two daughters.
Summary
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Role | Queen’s 2nd bassist |
| Time with band | ~5 months (Aug 1970 – Jan 1971) |
| Gigs played | 13 concerts |
| Bandmates | Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor |
| Why he left | Didn’t see the band’s future potential; wasn’t enthusiastic about their musical direction |
| Replaced by | John Deacon (after a brief stint by Doug Bogie) |
| Previous band | Crushed Butler / Tiger |
| Survived by | Two daughters |
FAQ
Was Barry Mitchell on any Queen albums?
No. He left before Queen recorded their first album. All the famous Queen bass parts you hear (like "Another One Bites the Dust" or "Under Pressure") were played by John Deacon.
Did Barry regret leaving Queen?
He admitted in 2018 that it’s "crazy to say this now" that he didn’t see their potential. While he didn’t explicitly say "I regret it," his tone suggested he recognized the missed opportunity.
Who was Queen’s FIRST bassist?
Mike Grose. He played with them for just a few months in early 1970 before Barry took over.
What happened to Barry after Queen?
He continued playing music but stayed out of the spotlight. He occasionally attended Queen fan conventions where he shared stories about those early days.
Why does this matter if he was only in the band for 5 months?
Because he was there at the very beginning—when Queen was just four young guys playing small venues, dreaming big. His stories gave fans a rare glimpse into the band’s earliest days before they became legends.
Final Thought: Every famous band has "almost members"—people who were there at the start but didn’t stay for the fame. Barry Mitchell was one of those people. His brief chapter in Queen’s story reminds us that even legends start small, and sometimes the people who help you begin aren’t the ones who finish the journey with you.
Rest in peace, Barry Mitchell.