Denny Laine, a prolific musician known for co-founding bands Wings and The Moody Blues and for his extensive collaboration with Paul McCartney, has passed away. His wife, Elizabeth Hines, confirmed the news on Tuesday morning.
In a heartfelt post shared on Laine’s official Instagram account, Hines revealed that Laine had been in the intensive care unit (ICU) on a ventilator for the past week. She explained that Laine had been battling Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), an unpredictable and aggressive condition. Despite the challenging circumstances, Laine showed remarkable strength and bravery throughout his struggle, never once complaining.
Denny Laine played a pivotal role in the formation of Wings alongside Paul and Linda McCartney in 1971. Their debut album, “Wild Life,” was released in the same year, followed by their second album, “Red Rose Speedway,” in 1973. The latter album featured their first No. 1 hit, “My Love.”
One of Wings’ most iconic albums was “Band on the Run,” released in 1973. It became one of the best-selling British albums of 1974 and reached No. 1 in the US. The album included hit songs like the title track “Band on the Run,” “Jet,” “Let Me Roll It,” and “No Words,” a track co-written by Denny Laine himself. The band received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus in 1975 for the title track of the album. Additionally, they won the Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1979 for “Rockestra Theme.”
In an interview earlier this year with Guitar World, Laine fondly spoke about his harmonious collaboration with Paul McCartney. He emphasized the shared musical tastes and similar styles they had developed, stemming from their common upbringing.
