In a somber announcement on Tuesday, Elizabeth Hines, wife of Denny Laine, shared the heartbreaking news of the legendary musician’s passing at the age of 79. A co-founder of both The Moody Blues and Wings, Laine had been battling interstitial lung disease, a struggle that his wife had been candidly documenting on a GoFundMe page set up earlier this fall to assist with medical costs.
Laine, born in 1944, faced health challenges in the wake of a brief battle with COVID last year. Hines revealed the unpredictable and aggressive nature of interstitial lung disease, expressing her and Laine’s belief that he would overcome setbacks and return home. Sadly, Laine’s health took an unexpected turn, leading to his peaceful passing.
“My darling husband passed away peacefully early this morning,” Hines shared. “All he wanted was to be home with me and his pet kitty, Charley, playing his gypsy guitar.”
Denny Laine’s musical journey began in 1964 when he co-founded The Moody Blues alongside Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas. His contributions, including vocals on their first hit, “Go Now,” marked the band’s early success. Laine’s path diverged in 1966 when he was replaced by Justin Hayward, just as The Moody Blues embarked on the sound that defined their legacy.
Not one to be confined to a single chapter, Laine continued his musical odyssey, playing with various groups such as the Electric String Band, Balls, and Ginger Baker’s Air Force. However, his most iconic collaboration emerged in 1971 when he joined forces with Paul and Linda McCartney to form Wings. Laine’s influence extended into the early ’80s, making him the sole non-McCartney consistently contributing to the group’s sonic tapestry. His role in crafting Wings’ masterpiece, “Band on the Run,” remains etched in music history.
Even after Wings disbanded, Laine’s solo career flourished, culminating in his last studio album, “The Blue Musician,” released in 2008. In 2018, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized his impact, inducting him as a member of The Moody Blues.
Denny Laine’s legacy as a versatile and influential musician will resonate through generations, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of rock and roll history.