Denny Laine, a British singer, songwriter and guitarist who performed in an early, pop-oriented version of the Moody Blues and was later Paul McCartney's longtime sideman in the ex-Beatle's solo band Wings, has died at age 79.
Laine, inducted five years ago into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues, died Tuesday in Naples, Fla. The cause was interstitial lung disease, according to an announcement on Laine's Instagram page by his wife, Elizabeth Hines.
His death comes almost exactly 50 years after the release of McCartney's acclaimed "Band On the Run" album, on which Laine played guitar and provided backing vocals. On Tuesday, McCartney posted a tribute to Laine on Instagram, calling him a "great talent with a fine sense of humor."
"Unfortunately, his lung disease, Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), is unpredictable and aggressive; each infection weakened and damaged his lungs. He fought everyday. He was so strong and brave, never complained," she wrote.
She thanked his fans, who "sent him so much love" over the past few months, and also his surgeons, doctors and nurses.
"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," Hines said.
She remembered her husband as "an amazingly wonderful person, so loving and sweet to me," who made her days "colorful."
"Thank you sweetie for loving me, for all the laughter, friendship, fun and for asking me to be your wife. I will love you forever," she wrote.
Denny Laine helped form The Moody Blues in 1964 with hits like “Nights in White Satin” and “Go Now.” Laine was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a Moody Blues member in 2018.
In 1971, he joined McCartney and his wife, Linda, to form Wings, helping write the songs “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” and “London Town.” After his time with Wings, he continued to make music in a solo career.
Laine contributed to a pair of early 1980s McCartney solo albums while Wings were still a going concern, and while drummers and other guitarists came and went, Laine was the sole member to stay alongside the McCartneys for the duration of Wings’ career.
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