27 Facts About Denny Laine

Brian Frederick Hines, known professionally as Denny Laine, was an English musician who co-founded two major rock bands: the Moody Blues and Wings.

Denny Laine befriended Paul McCartney of the Beatles, who later asked him to join his band Wings.

Denny Laine was a constant member of Wings for their entire run from 1971 to 1981, playing guitar, bass and keyboards, and singing backing and lead vocals.

Denny Laine wrote songs with McCartney, including the 1977 hit "Mull of Kintyre".

Denny Laine worked with a variety of other artists, such as Ginger Baker, Trevor Burton and Bev Bevan, as a part of groups over a six-decade career.

Denny Laine had an extensive solo career consisting of ten studio albums of original music and a Wings covers album, and wrote a musical.

Denny Laine performed as a solo artist and touring musician until his death.

In 2018, Denny Laine was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues.

Denny Laine took up the guitar as a boy, inspired by gypsy jazz musician Django Reinhardt.

Denny Laine gave his first solo performance as a musician at age 12 and began his career as a professional musician, fronting Denny Laine and the Diplomats, which included Bev Bevan, future drummer with the Move and Electric Light Orchestra.

Denny Laine sang on "Can't Nobody Love You" and "Bye Bye Bird", the latter of which was a hit in France.

In December 1966, after leaving The Moody Blues, Denny Laine formed the Electric String Band, featuring himself on guitar and vocals, Trevor Burton on guitar, Viv Prince on drums, Binky McKenzie on bass guitar, and electrified strings in a format not dissimilar to that of Electric Light Orchestra in later years.

The top side was re-edited and reissued on UK Wizard, and in the United States on Epic Records, under the name of Trevor Burton; he and Denny Laine shared lead vocals on the B-side.

In 1971, Denny Laine joined forces with Paul McCartney and wife Linda to form Wings, and he remained with the group for 10 years until they disbanded in 1981, being the only three permanent members of the band.

Denny Laine provided lead and rhythm guitars, lead and backing vocals, keyboards, bass guitar and woodwind, in addition to writing or co-writing some of the group's material.

Denny Laine was a frequent contributor to the songwriting process and as lead vocalist.

Denny Laine wrote and sang several songs himself, co-wrote a number of compositions on Band on the Run and London Town, and sang lead vocals on McCartney's songs in full or in part.

Denny Laine released his third solo album, Japanese Tears, with the title track as the single; it included several songs recorded by Wings over the years.

Denny Laine worked on McCartney's albums Tug of War and Pipes of Peace and he co-wrote one more song with McCartney, "Rainclouds".

Denny Laine continued to release solo albums through the 1980s, such as Hometown Girls, Wings on My Feet, Lonely Road and Master Suite.

Denny Laine then toured with the Denny Laine Band, and teamed up with other bands on occasion.

In 2018 Denny Laine was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Moody Blues.

In January 2023, Denny Laine announced tour dates in the US, including New York and Nashville, and said he was working on new material for an album.

Denny Laine married Elizabeth Mele in July 2023 and the couple announced the marriage on the singer's Facebook page.

Denny Laine had COVID-19 in 2022, and he then had multiple surgeries for lung issues, including a collapsed lung.

Denny Laine died from interstitial lung disease in Naples, Florida, on 5 December 2023, at the age of 79.

Denny Laine's wife announced his death on his official Facebook and Instagram pages.