Last In Line future in doubt, Campbell admits

By Martin Kielty
published

Viv can’t think about finding new bassist after Jimmy Bain’s death: “We are unique, like our fingerprints”

The future of Last In Line is in doubt following the death of bassist Jimmy Bain, says guitarist Viv Campbell.

The Dio offshoot have cancelled the tour they’d planned to support the launch of debut album Heavy Crown after Bain passed away while taking part in Def Leppard’s cruising festival last month.

The 68-year-old had been suffering from lung cancer, but had only been receiving treatment for pneumonia.

Campbell recently said the band would continue in his honour. Now he tells MyGlobalMind: “We have two obligations we will fulfill – the Frontiers festival in Italy this April, and Rocklahoma on Memorial Day weekend.

“With whom on bass, I don’t know. We’re just not there yet. Jimmy was just buried and we want to be very respectful to his memory.

“Jimmy believed in this CD. It really gave him focus in dealing with his sobriety, and overcoming that demon.”

Last In Line formed when original Dio members Campbell, Bain, Vinny Appice and Claude Schnell got together in 2012 with vocalist Andrew Freeman. Schnell later bowed out.

Campbell says: “The chemistry is never to be replaced. I don’t subscribe to the feeling that you can replace a musician – we’re unique, like our fingerprints. It’s never going to be the same.”

But he adds: “We believe in the project. We will work it to some extent.”

Heavy Crown is released on February 19.

Last In Line launch Jimmy Bain tribute

Last In Line Heavy Crown tracklist

  1. Devil In Me
  2. Martyr
  3. Starmaker
  4. Burn This House Down
  5. I Am Revolution
  6. Blame It On Me
  7. In Flames
  8. Already Dead
  9. Curse The Day
  10. Orange Glow
  11. Heavy Crown
  12. The Sickness
Martin Kielty
Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band (opens in new tab), a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories (opens in new tab) about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.