Jimmy Bain, Scots musician with Dio and Rainbow, dies at 68

JIMMY Bain, the bass guitarist who performed with the likes of Dio and Rainbow has died at the age of 68, according to reports.

Born James Stewart Bain in Newtonmore in December 1947, Bain joined his family in Canada before returning to the UK and forming the band Harlot.

Bain was asked to join Rainbow after guitarist Ritchie Blackmore had seen him performing in London.

He helped record studio album Rising, before joining the band on their world tour, but he was sacked by the band in January 1977.

Bain then formed Wild Horses in the summer of 1978, along with former Thin Lizzy guitarist and fellow Scot Brian Robertson, until the group disbanded in 1981.

Bain helped out with Thin Lizzy frontman and bassist Phil Lynott on his solo albums in the early 1980s, and was enlisted by German rockers Scorpions to play bass on their 1984 album Love At First Sting and was lined up to join the Hanover-based band - although his bass tracks were later deleted as the band’s management wanted to keep the band German - before teaming up again with Ronnie James Dio - former Rainbow singer - in the band Dio.

While with Dio, he recorded some of the most iconic heavy metal songs of the Eighties, including Holy Diver and Rainbow in the Dark.

In the mid-Eighties, Bain helped found Hear ‘n Aid, a foundation aimed at tackling word hunger.

Bain continued to perform with a number of bands, including 3 Legged Dogg, the Hollywood All Starz and Last in Line.

At the time of his death, he was performing with Last in Line on the Def Leppard Cruise, along with Def Leppard and ex-Poison guitarist Richie Kotzen.

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine paid tribute to Bain on Twitter, writing: “Jimmy Bain has passed away. I’m saddened by the loss of my friend. David [Ellefson, Megadeth bassist] & I were very close with Jimmy. Godspeed!”