Dio, Rainbow Bassist Jimmy Bain, 68, Passes

Jimmy Bain

JIMMY BAIN, bassist for DIO and RAINBOW, passed away this weekend at 68 with complications from pneumonia, according to ROLLINGSTONE.COM.  He reportedly died while on DEF LEPPARD's "Hysteria On The HIgh Seas" cruise with his latest band LAST IN LINE, which kicked off JANUARY 21st and runs until the 25th.

DEF LEPPARD guitarist VIVIAN CAMPBELL, who performed with BAIN in both DIO and LAST IN LINE, confirmed his death on FACEBOOK. "It was JIMMY who gave me my first big break in the music industry and for that I am forever indebted.

"JIMMY's struggles with his demons were well documented through the years, but over the last 18 months he had finally won that battle and he was bright and lucid and motivated throughout the writing and recording of the new record. "JIMMY was immensely proud of our new album and his input to it was immeasurable. He was a very kind and gentle and generous soul and our lives were greatly enriched for having known him. We will continue to celebrate his life through his music."

The SCOTTISH-born BAIN moved to LONDON in the '70s to perform in the band HARLOT, then was recruited by RITCHIE BLACKMORE to join RAINBOW with singer RONNIE JAMES DIO, appearing on one studio album -- 1976's "Rising" -- and the group's 1977 live LP "On Stage."

BAIN performed with JOHN CALE, THIN LIZZY's PHIL LYNOTT, SCORPIONS, GARY MOORE and his own WILD HORSES. In 1981, the bassist reunited with his former RAINBOW mate in DIO, starting with that band's landmark 1983 debut "Holy Diver."  BAIN is listed as co-writer on four of that album's nine tracks, including their classic "Rainbow in the Dark."

BAIN left DIO in 1989; a decade later, he would rejoin him for 2000's "Magica" and 2002's "Killing The Dragon."

BAIN's most recent band, LAST IN LINE, featured his DIO bandmates drummer VINNY APPICE and VIV CAMPBELL.

MOTORHEAD's PHIL CAMPBELL posted, "JIMMY BAIN was a true musician and songwriter. He was involved and wrote more than you probably imagine."

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