Denny Laine, co-founder of bands Wings and The Moody Blues and longtime collaborator of Paul McCartney, died on Tuesday morning, according to Laine’s wife Elizabeth Hines. He was 79.
Hines wrote in a post on Laine’s official Instagram account that Laine had “been in ICU on a ventilator this past week.” She said Laine had Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), which “is unpredictable and aggressive.”
“He fought everyday. He was so strong and brave, never complained,” she wrote.
In 1971, Laine helped form Wings alongside Paul and Linda McCartney. They released their debut album “Wild Life” that same year, and followed up with their second album, 1973’s “Red Rose Speedway,” which brought them their first No. 1 hit with “My Love.”
Wings’ most iconic musical contribution was their 1973 album “Band on the Run.” This album not only became one of the top-selling British albums of 1974 but also achieved the remarkable feat of reaching No. 1 in the United States. The album featured hits such as the title track “Band on the Run,” along with “Jet,” “Let Me Roll It,” and “No Words,” a track co-written by Denny Laine. The Moody Blues
In 1975, the band received a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus for the title track from “Band on the Run.” They later secured another Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1979 with “Rockestra Theme.”
Denny Laine, in an interview earlier this year, described working with Paul McCartney as a harmonious experience. He highlighted the musical freedom he had when McCartney played the piano, allowing Laine to explore his own guitar parts. Laine emphasized the shared musical tastes and similar styles that he and McCartney developed growing up.
Laine, originally from Birmingham, England, continued to make significant contributions to Wings, co-writing the chart-topping “Mull of Kintyre” with McCartney in 1977. The song was featured on the 1993 reissue of Wings’s 1978 album “London Town” and became the UK’s highest-selling single at that time.
As the only member of Wings who stayed with the band throughout its entire existence, apart from the McCartneys, Laine played a vital role. Following Denny Laine’s passing, Paul McCartney paid tribute to his former bandmate on social media, recalling their shared experiences from the early days when The Beatles toured with the Moody Blues. McCartney remembered Laine as an outstanding vocalist and guitarist with a great sense of humor, expressing that he will be missed by fans and remembered fondly by friends.