- From Rainbow to Dio: The Powerful Basslines of Jimmy Bain
Jimmy Bain (1947-2016) was a renowned Scottish bassist who left his mark on the hard rock scene. His career highlights include playing in the bands Rainbow and Dio, where his powerful basslines drove their iconic sound. Bain also collaborated with Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy) on solo projects and was an early member of the band Harlot.
Jimmy Bain (1947-2016) was a renowned musician, best known for his exceptional skills as a bassist and keyboardist. Born on 19 December 1947, in Newtonmore, Scotland, James Stewart Bain showed a profound interest in music from an early age. His fascination with rhythm and melody led him on a lifelong journey that would leave a lasting impact on the rock and metal music scenes.
Bain's musical journey began when he picked up the guitar at the age of 7, inspired by his father's love for music. However, it was the bass guitar that truly captivated him as a teenager. By the time he was 15, he had mastered the instrument, demonstrating an innate talent that set him apart from his peers. His passion for music also extended to keyboards, and he quickly became proficient in playing both instruments.
In the late 1960s, Jimmy Bain's musical career took a significant turn when he joined the progressive rock band Harlot, which later changed its name to Rainbow. The band was formed by guitar virtuoso Ritchie Blackmore, formerly of Deep Purple. With Bain's powerful bass lines and complementary keyboard work, Rainbow gained prominence in the rock music landscape. He contributed significantly to their early albums, such as "Rising" and "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll" .
In 1983, Jimmy Bain's career reached new heights when he joined forces with legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio to form the band Dio. Alongside drummer Vinny Appice and guitarist Vivian Campbell, the band released their debut album, "Holy Diver" , which was met with critical acclaim. Bain's thunderous bass playing became a defining element of Dio's sound, and he continued to be an integral part of the band for several years, playing on subsequent albums like "The Last in Line" and "Sacred Heart".
After parting ways with Dio in the late 1980s, Jimmy Bain remained active in the music industry, collaborating with various artists and bands. He worked with acts such as Gary Moore, WWIII, and Wild Horses, displaying his versatility as a musician and his ability to adapt to different musical styles.
In the 2000s, Bain reunited with Ronnie James Dio, joining the band Heaven & Hell, which also featured Tony Iommi and Vinny Appice, former members of Black Sabbath. Together, they released the highly acclaimed album "The Devil You Know" in 2009, reaffirming their place in the world of heavy metal history.
Tragically, on 23 January 2016, the music world lost Jimmy Bain at the age of 68. He passed away while aboard Def Leppard's Hysteria on the High Seas Cruise, just a few days before the event was set to conclude. The cause of death was reported as lung cancer.