Ex-Queen bassist Barry Mitchell dead: Tributes roll in for rocker who admitted he quit iconic band because 'he didn't think they had potential'

Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.ukSee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 04:52 EDT, 21 August 2026 | Updated: 05:28 EDT, 21 August 2026 Barry Mitchell, who was a bassist for the iconic rock band Queen before their breakout success, has died.The musician's passing was confirmed by the group's official archivist Greg Brooks in a post on their Facebook page.Posting a snap of Barry during his time with Queen, Greg 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.'Fans have since shared their own tributes to Barry, who they described as an 'incredible guitarist'.Barry was Queen's second bassist between 1970 and 1971, with legendary members Freddie Mercury and Brian May joining the band during their rise to fame years later. Barry Mitchell, who was a bassist for the iconic rock band Queen before their breakout success, has died The musician was Queen's second bassist between 1970 and 1971, with legendary members Freddie Mercury and Brian May (pictured) joining the band during their rise to fame years laterBarry was a member of the band for just six months, but is said to have provided riffs and bass lines for songs such as Liar and Son And Daughter.He was recommended to Queen's drummer Roger Taylor after previously performing with a band called Conviction, but only had a brief stint with the group.In total, Barry played 13 gigs with the band, which were mostly in the UK, and was one of a number of bassists who performed with the group before they chose John Deacon.Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2018, Barry said: 'We played quite a few concerts in England, notably in Liverpool.'Since we didn't have enough original songs to last a whole show and Freddie loved classic rock & roll, we played that too.'Asked why he left the band, Barry joked he was 'fired because they thought I was useless', before adding: '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. 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.'Many fans also took to social media to pay tribute, writing on X: 'Aw, sad to hear this. We met him once at the UK Convention in 2009. Barry previously joked that he left the band because they thought he was 'useless,' but added their music 'didn't necessarily go in the direction he wanted to go''He was an interesting speaker that day, and we closed the pub down that night…RIP Barry;''Sad…. Spent many Conventions with Barry;''Good times, good laughs along the way. Great guy, My best to all family at this time.'Us Queen fans loved our Barry… RIP.'