Yes, exactly.
I think for this I would go three ways
First, easiest, and least interesting; an NPC who wants the Lich dead tells the PCs where to go. Basically they're the central quest giver and the information is handwaved. This is just a mission based campaign ending with the big bad.
Second, sort of what neogod said, your party could be accompanied by a scarred and damaged old man. A hero who almost did the job before, managing to only survive. Great opportunities for twists, etc. The last artifact should be missing, requiring outside help to do what the hero couldn't.
Third, and most difficult to write, your party follows the life of the lich before lichdom, and understand how they made the choices they did, discovering the keys along the way. Great for making a sympathetic villain. There might even be a way to redeem this BBEG.