Born Kim Bendix Petersen in Denmark on June 14, 1956, the future King Diamond was originally drawn to theatrically based hard rock due to such trailblazers as Alice Cooper, and soon began fronting local bands in the '70s, including a punk-metal outfit called the Brats. Shortly thereafter, the group mutated into Mercyful Fate, consisting of members Hank Shermann (guitar), Michael Denner (guitar), Timi Hansen (bass), and Kim Ruzz (drums), in addition to Diamond. By this time, Diamond had developed an interest in the occult, which was reflected in the new group's subject matter, as the frontman began wearing makeup (which resembled a cross ****ween his hero Cooper and Kiss' Gene Simmons). Buy King Diamond Merch Here! #kingdiamondmerch #kingdiamondmerchandise