Moody Blues and Wings singer, guitarist and songwriter Denny Laine has died after a short illness that kept him hospitalised after getting COVID-19 last year…
OBITUARY By Ian Woolley
Denny Laine
The 78-year-old guitarist has been in and out of Naples hospital in Florida, most recently for a collapsed lung. A band member organized The recent ‘Benefit Concert For Denny Laine‘ featuring an all-star lineup that included former Wings members Denny Seiwell and Laurence Juber, along with Susanna Hoffs, Micky Dolenz, Peter Asher, and others. Funds went to Denny’s wife’s GoFundMe page and the concert was a huge success.
Born Brian Frederick Arthur Hines, growing up in Birmingham he formed Denny Laine and the Diplomats. In 1964 he joined what would become the Moody Blues, singing lead on their big hit “Go Now”. When Laine left in 1966, he was replaced by Justin Wayward.
Forming the Electric String Band, he also recorded several singles including “Say You Don’t Mind” which became a hit for the Zombies Colin Blunstone.
Denny Laine (far right) with Wings members Denny Seiwell. Linda and Paul McCartney
Several short-lived bands followed before he joined McCartney’s new group after leaving the Beatles, Wings. This was where he was most happiest as he stayed for 10 years until they disbanded in 1981.
His death comes almost exactly 50 years after the release of Wings’ acclaimed album “Band On the Run”, on which Laine played guitar and provided backing vocals. Of the 9 people who appeared on the iconic cover, only John Conteh and Sir Paul McCartney survive.
As well as co-writing with the band, he also provided many of the instruments heard on that album as well as the 1978 “London Town”. The non-album 1977 single “Mull Of Kintyre” went on to become one of the biggest-selling singles of all time.
Even after the band had split, he worked with McCartney on two of his albums as well as releasing his solo offerings.
On social media, Sir Paul said “I am very saddened to hear that my ex-bandmate, Denny Laine, has died. “Denny was a great talent with a fine sense of humour and was always ready to help other people. He will be missed by all his fans and remembered with great fondness by his friends.”
His wife also released a statement which read,
“My darling husband passed away peacefully early this morning. I was at his bedside, holding his hand as I played his favorite Christmas songs for him. He’s been singing Christmas songs the past few weeks and I continued to play Christmas songs while he’s been in ICU on a ventilator this past week.
He and I both believed he would overcome his health setbacks and return to the rehabilitation center and eventually home. Unfortunately, his lung disease, Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), is unpredictable and aggressive; each infection weakened and damaged his lungs. He fought every day. He was so strong and brave, never complained. All he wanted was to be home with me and his pet kitty, Charley, playing his gypsy guitar.
Denny was so very thankful to all of you who sent him so much love, support and the many kind words during these past few months of his health crisis-it brought him to tears. I thank you all for sending both of us love and support. It was my absolute honor and privilege to not only be his wife but to care for him during his illness and vulnerability.
Thank you to Denny’s surgeons, doctors, specialists, physical therapists and nurses at Naples Hospital for working so hard to help him. Thank you for your compassion and support for me during these past several emotional months.
My world will never be the same. Denny was an amazingly wonderful person, so loving and sweet to me. He made my days colorful, fun and full of life just like him.
Thank you sweetie for loving me, for all the laughter, friendship, and fun and for asking me to be your wife. I will love you forever.
Please give Denny’s friends and family the time and privacy needed as we grieve our loss.
Much love, Elizabeth Hines”
Recently we interviewed Wings drummer Denny Seiwell which was published in this month’s December issue of the Beat.