John Richard Deacon was born at St. Francis Private Hospital, London Road, Leicester, on Sunday, August 19, 1951. He was born to Lillian Molly and Arthur Henry Deacon, who worked in insurance.

• In 1956, his sister Julie was born and he started his 1st school-Lindon Junior School, in Evington.
• At age seven, he got his first guitar - a plastic "Tommy Steele" special.
• In 1960, the Deacons moved to Oadby and John transferred to Langmoor Junior High.
• In 1962, at age 11, he moved to Gartree High School in Leicester.
• At age 14, John formed his first band - the Opposition.
• In early 1965, Opposition had its first full practice.
• On September 25, 1965, they played their first public gig.
• On December 4, 1965, they played their first major gig, with a new singer.
• In April 1966, they got a new member, and since the bass player position was open, John filled it.
• In May 1966, they changed their name to the New Opposition.
• In September 1966, John started his first term at Beauchamp Grammar School in Leicester.
• In June 1967, the band changed their name back to Opposition.
• In March 1968, there was another band name change to "Art".
• In June 1969, at age 17, John left Beauchamp with 8 "O" levels and 3 "A" levels.
• Later that year, he played his last gig with "Art" and started Chelsea College, to study electronics.
• In October of 1970, John saw a band called Queen, but they made no lasting impression on him.
• In early 1971, John met Roger Taylor and Brian May. They asked him if he would like to audition for Queen because they needed a bass player.
• John tried out a few days later.
• In late February 1971, Queen called John back and he became the final member of the Kensington-based band.

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