In a troubled world, the forces of common sense and fan wishes have come to fruition. Mercyful Fate have announced their new bass player Becky Baldwin of Birmingham, England, three days after it was announced that the band and bassist Joey Vera have mutually decided to split ways.
“It is a great honour to now be a permanent member of Mercyful Fate,” Becky said. “I can’t wait to join the recording of the new Album. When I joined as a stand-in on the 2022 U.S. Tour, the acceptance and encouragement from the fans was exceptional. A huge thanks to the band, team and fans for the warm welcome. See you in Chile and Brazil this coming April.”
King Diamond spoke of Joey Vera this week, saying, “Our friendship and respect for each other will always remain the same, and we all sincerely wish each other the absolute best for the future.”
Becky Baldwin helped Mercyful Fate in November 2022 complete their first North American headline tour in over two decades. Following the news of Vera’s departure, the voices of the fans were clear, and King Diamond has moved to secure her services for the future.
Becky did 14 gigs with Mercyful Fate on that initial run. 13 in the USA and one in Canada, ending in Atlanta on 16 November. “I may never play this kind of show again,” Becky told MetalTalk in an interview about the US tour. “That was really crushing. But you know, it’s not to say that I don’t love the things that I do here. It’s just different having to close that chapter so suddenly and so quickly felt really like, ‘Ouch, my heart’.”
You can read the MetalTalk interviews with Becky here and here.
Click here to read about the Mercyful Fate show at Bloodstock 2022.
