Written by: Alex Green

Jimmy Bain, the legendary bassist who tenured with everyone from Rainbow to Dio, has died.

He was 68.

No cause of death has been reported.

The Scottish-born Bain played with muscle and swagger and remains one of the most beloved hard rock musicians of the last forty years.

His band Harlot was formed in 1974 in England, after the bassist purportedly turned down a job with The Babys.

Bain played with Rainbow until 1977, and was in the band for the Rising album as well as the classic live record On Stage.

Bain’s CV is crammed with rock and roll highlights: he toured Europe with John Cale, he co-wrote Phil Lynott’s solo-albums, he played the bass parts on the Scorpions’ Love At First Sting, he played with DIO and co-wrote songs on The Last In Line and he founded Hear N’ Aid, the hard rock response to the Band Aid charity song movement of the mid-’80s.

Vivian Campbell, who played with Bain in DIO, wrote the following on his Facebook page: “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I must confirm the news of the passing of our dear friend and Last In Line band mate, Jimmy Bain. It was Jimmy who gave me my first big break in the music industry and for that I am forever indebted.”

He went on to write: “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…He leaves behind him a rich legacy of work from Rainbow, through Wild Horses, Dio, and finally, Last In Line. 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.”