JIMMY BAIN DIO MESSAGE BOARD INTERVIEW Nightwing asks = I'd just like to know what it was like to be a part of that fantastic era and recording 'Rising' such a classic album!! And how have things changed in the music world since 'Rising'...... It was really great, it was my first album. First band playing in a big band with my heroes in it. How things have changed, well you don't get the clap anymore…you get AIDS. Drifter asks = Were you with Ronnie when Baal the spirit came forward in a seance.....can you tell the story in your words? Actually, Ritchie (Blackmore) was the one who had séances at his house with Fergie (crew tech.), me, Ronnie. I never recall any Baal or anybody appearing or nothing like that. I was likely too drunk. I didn't see no Baal. Westendevil asks = What do you think of Ritchie Blackmore as a professional and as a human being? + Do you feel your firing from Rainbow was totally unwarranted Yes, I suppose it was but I've figured it out since then, in the 25 years since then. He (Ritchie) was likely just winding me up as he did quite a lot and I took it just a bit too seriously. It was kind of really my own fault I guess but I have no regrets. What do you mean by "winding me up"? The reason I got fired was because I was threatening to ram my bass down Ritchie's throat one night on stage. He was winding me up by asking me if I was out of tune and I wasn't. I got really pissed off and that's why I got fired. It didn't happen 'till months later but it kind of rippled. Then I heard rumours that people in the band were going to be replaced, then I didn't know it was ME. Then it WAS. But I have no regrets about playing with Ritchie because he was great. I never slag him off or anything like that because he is really a fine player. It's just too bad he is playing with his wife for the last 10 years. He is a really great guitar player…he should be playing in a monster metal band. © The Dio Message Board, September 10, 2004 Thanks to Warlord for permission to publish this part of the interview You can read the full interview on You'll find the interview in the 'Don't Talk To Strangers' Forum You have to register to get access to this board