Barry Mitchell, a former bassist for the British rock band Queen, has died. News of his death has prompted an outpouring of sadness among fans and those who knew him. Although Mitchell was with the band for only a short time, he played a role in Queen’s formative years.

Mitchell joined the group during its first few months and contributed ideas that would later become part of its early musical development. According to The Sun, his death was confirmed by Queen’s official archivist, Greg Brooks. Shortly afterward, fans took to social media to share memories and tributes.

Barry Mitchell Played With Queen for Only a Few Months

Mitchell was Queen’s second bassist and was part of the early lineup from August 1970 to January 1971. During that period, he performed at 13 shows, primarily in the United Kingdom.

He had been recommended to drummer Roger Taylor after previously playing with the band Conviction. After Mitchell’s departure, Doug Bogie briefly took over on bass before Queen eventually settled on John Deacon as their permanent bassist.

Although Mitchell spent only around six months with Queen, accounts of the band’s early history credit him with contributing riffs and bass lines that later featured in songs such as “Liar” and “Son and Daughter.”

Greg Brooks Pays Tribute to the Musician’s Rare Insights

Greg Brooks was among those to publicly pay tribute to Mitchell. The Queen archivist announced the news on Facebook, writing: “Terribly sad news just received that early Queen bass player, Barry Mitchell, has passed away,”

He added: “His anecdotes at the convention were fascinating and offered rare insight. He will be greatly missed.”

Fans also shared memories of Mitchell, with several noting that he had regularly attended Queen conventions over the years. There, he became known for sharing stories and personal recollections from the band’s early days.

His Honesty About His Departure Left a Lasting Impression

Years after his brief stint with Queen, Mitchell spoke openly about his departure. In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone, he joked that the split had sometimes been portrayed too simply, saying he was “kicked out because they thought I was useless.”

He later offered a more nuanced explanation, admitting that he had not been particularly enthusiastic about the group’s musical direction at the time. Mitchell said he had failed to recognize Queen’s potential and, in hindsight, acknowledged that he had been wrong.

After leaving Queen, Mitchell remained active in music. Following a brief hiatus, he later played with Jayne Raydio in the 1990s. Before his time with Queen, he had also been a member of Tiger, an early proto-punk band.