OAN’s James Meyers
2:24 PM – Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Denny Laine, guitarist and songwriter for iconic rock bands like The Moody Blues and Wings with Paul McCartney, has died at the age of 79.
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“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,” his wife, Elizabeth Hines, reportedly said in a statement, according to multiple outlets.
“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,” she continued.
“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.”
McCartney highlighted Laine’s passing by posting on Instagram and paying tribute to him, saying that he was “very saddened” by the death of his friend.
He said: “I have many fond memories of my time with Denny: from the early days when The Beatles toured with the Moody Blues.”
“Our two bands had a lot of respect for each other and a lot of fun together. Denny joined Wings at the outset. He was an outstanding vocalist and guitar player.”
Laine formed Moody Blues in Birmingham in May 1964, with Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick. Some of the most popular hit songs by the group include “Your Wildest Dreams,” “Melancholy Man,” and “Nights in White Satin.”
He also co-wrote the Wings classic song “Mull of Kintyre” in 1978 with McCartney.
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