Wings Co-Founder Denny Laine Dead at 79

The British musician, who also once fronted the Moody Blues, was living with interstitial lung disease

Photo: Jim Summaria

BY Megan LaPierrePublished Dec 5, 2023

Denny Laine, the English musician who co-founded Wings and briefly fronted the Moody Blues, has died. He was 79.

The news was confirmed by Laine's wife, Elizabeth Hines, who eulogized her husband on his Facebook page, writing that the musician had "passed away peacefully early this morning" while she was at his bedside playing him his favourite Christmas songs. Hines noted that Laine had been in the ICU on a ventilator this week amid the progression of his interstitial lung disease.

"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," she added. "I thank you all for sending both of us love and support. It was my absolute honour and privilege to not only be his wife, but to care for him during his illness and vulnerability."

Laine is survived by Hines and five children, two of whom he shared with ex-wife Jo Jo Laine.

Today marked the 50th anniversary of Paul McCartney and Wings' seminal 1973 album, Band on the Run, which is getting reissued for the occasion in early February.

 

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