Becky baldwin’s Journey: From Self-Doubt to Bassist for Tony Iommi
For many bass players, receiving an invitation to collaborate with teh legendary Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath would feel like a dream come true-an unattainable fantasy. Though, for Becky Baldwin, this dream transformed into reality through a single email that opened the door to one of the moast critically important milestones in her career.
What started as a request to record a few tracks quickly escalated into a full-fledged role as the bassist for Iommi’s upcoming solo album, even though Baldwin entered the studio feeling uncertain about her abilities.
First Impressions and Initial Nerves
“When I arrived at the studio,they played me a track-World Alone,” Baldwin recalls. “I was immediately drawn to it. The riff was captivating, the melody was strong, and the vocals were outstanding.”
However, the excitement quickly turned into anxiety when they asked her to play along with the track. “That was nerve-wracking. I was expected to perform in front of someone I deeply admire,with no time to prepare,” she admits.
“They assured me we could take as many attempts as necessary, but they wanted to capture my initial instincts.I asked if they preferred me to mirror Tony’s riffs or to add my own flair.”
“Tony simply said, ‘Play what you would naturally record if we weren’t here.’ So, I thought, ‘What would Geezer Butler do?’ I’ve studied his bass lines for years, and I knew Tony appreciated his style, so I started from there.”
Overcoming Self-Doubt
“Instantly working out songs isn’t my strongest suit-I prefer to analyse, revisit sections, and take notes to learn them thoroughly. The pressure of the situation made me feel like I was crumbling,” Baldwin reflects.
“Throughout the session, I was convinced I wasn’t performing well, yet they kept inviting me back! Before I knew it, I was the bassist for the entire album, and that first take ended up being the one they used for World Alone.”
Finding the right Fit
When asked what made her the ideal choice for this project, Baldwin explains, “The producer, Mike Exeter, had seen my online videos and followed my touring work. He recognized my strong influences from classic metal bassists, especially Geezer Butler, and thought I would be a great match.”
“They were also looking for a local bassist who could easily commute to the studio and fit into their recording timeline.By the time I joined, most of the album was already in progress, with Jørn Lande on vocals and Karl Brazil on drums. I felt like the final piece of the puzzle.”
The Email that Changed Everything
“I first received an email from Tony’s manager. When I saw the subject line mentioning Tony Iommi, I thought, ‘Wait, what’s this about?’ As I read further, it mentioned that Tony was working on new music and wanted me to come to the studio. My initial reaction was disbelief.”
“I was sitting on my couch when the email arrived. I double-checked the sender,researched the website,and confirmed it was indeed Tony’s management.I quickly sent my number, and his manager called me.”
A Casual Conversation
“The phone call was incredibly laid-back. He simply asked if I’d be interested in coming to the studio. Of course, I was thrilled! I’ve been a fan for over 20 years and have dedicated a lot of time to understanding the history of heavy metal, much of which is rooted in Black Sabbath.”
“There was no way I could say no. We arranged for me to visit Tony’s studio a couple of weeks later.”
Processing the experience
“When I got there, Tony asked about my recent activities. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but it felt surreal talking to someone I felt I already knew from countless interviews and articles.”
“After leaving the studio,I pulled over and sat in my car for a moment,trying to process everything. I even filmed a short video on my phone to capture my thoughts, though I’ve never watched it back.”
Preparation for Future Sessions
“After that first session, I expressed my concerns about being underprepared. I explained that I usually take time to familiarize myself with songs, chart them out, and come fully prepared.”
“they understood my situation since they had thrown me into the deep end. Their main concern was keeping the music under wraps until the album was ready, so they hadn’t sent anything in advance.”
“Eventually, they decided to send me a couple of demo tracks before each session, which made the later recordings feel much less daunting.”
What Listeners Can Expect
“Naturally, my bass playing reflects a lot of Geezer’s influence, as he’s always been a significant inspiration for me.Though, listeners will notice that the bass isn’t as prominent in the mix as it was in classic Black Sabbath records,” Baldwin explains.
“this is partly due to the evolution of modern production techniques. The bass guitar tends to occupy a different space in today’s mixes compared to albums from the 1970s. So, I’d say it’s a contemporary interpretation of what fans might expect from a Tony Iommi record.”
choosing the Right Gear
“I initially planned to bring my Rickenbacker 4001, which I use for almost everything. However, I realized I had no idea what tunings Tony would be using.”
“For the later sessions, I brought two Rickenbackers-one tuned to E-flat standard and the other to D standard-covering all the bases. Ultimately, I recorded the entire album using those two basses.”
A Journey of Hard Work
“While it may seem like an overnight success story, I’ve put in a lot of effort to reach this point. It’s interesting that someone from Tony’s era discovered me online, especially since Black Sabbath emerged before the internet existed. But that’s one of the benefits of today’s world-you can find musicians you might never have encountered otherwise.”
“Growing up in Wiltshire, I didn’t have many venues nearby featuring the bands I wanted to see. There wasn’t a clear path to playing with such iconic musicians. The internet changed that.”
“I began sharing classic metal bass covers online while performing at every small venue I could find across the UK and Europe.Over time, people recognized my genuine passion for this music. I wasn’t just an online personality; I was actively playing real shows, and those two worlds began to intersect.”
Looking Ahead
“Getting the gig with Mercyful Fate was already a significant advancement in my career. Once people saw how well that collaboration worked and how accepting the fans were, it opened more doors.It demonstrated that integrating a younger musician into a legendary band could be triumphant.”
“As for what’s next, I have several festivals lined up with my band Fury and with Delilah Bon. We’ll also be working on a new album for Fury, and it looks promising that Mercyful Fate will be touring next year. Exciting times are ahead!”
