Jimmy Bain R.I.P.

Scottish rock bassist Jimmy Bain, revered for his work as a member of Rainbow and Dio and in other outlets such as Wild Horses, Scorpions and Phil Lynott’s solo records, has died today (24 January) at the age of 68.

Bain’s most recent work was as a member of the band Last In Line, which also included former Dio colleagues Vivian Campbell and Vinny Appice. He died during their engagement as part of Def Leppard‘s Hysteria on the High Seas cruise. Last In Line had been due to release their first album, Heavy Crown, on 19 February.

Among those paying tribute to him on Twitter was Megadeth‘s Dave Mustaine. who wrote: “It’s weird when the friends you know and the people you listened to growing up start dying. #RIPJimmyBain.” Former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum mused: “We’ve lost another great rock ‘n’ roller.” His fellow members of Last In Line said: “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm the news of the passing of our dear friend & band-mate.”

Bain was a member of Rainbow from 1975-77, joining in time to appear on their second album Rising. He then played with Thin Lizzy and on Lynott’s solo projects, moving on to Wild Horses with former Lizzy member Brian Robertson. After playing with Gary Moore on the album Dirty Fingers in 1983 and on Scorpions’ 1984 album Love At First Sting, he became a longtime member of Dio, fronted by a fellow former Rainbow member, Ronnie James Dio, appearing on seven of their albums.

Format: UK English