Denny Laine, rock musician, dies age 79

[ifindedout]

Best known for his guitar work with Paul McCartney and Wings throughout the 70s, but many don't know that he co-founded The Moody Blues, and sang lead vocals for them before they became a prog-rock band.

Denny Laine, Wings and Moody Blues Co-Founder, Dead at 79

Denny Laine, who founded the Moody Blues before helping Paul McCartney kickstart Wings, has died after a short battle with a lung disease.

www.rollingstone.com

Denny Laine, the original lead singer of the Moody Blues and Paul McCartney’s co-founder/guitarist in Wings, died December 5 after a short battle with Interstitial lung disease. He was 79.

“I was at his bedside holdings his hand as I played his favorite Christmas songs for him,” his wife Elizabeth Hines wrote in a statement. “My world will never be the same. Denny was an amazingly wonderful person, so loving and sweet to me. He made my days colorful, fun, and full of life – just like him.”

Laine grew up in Birmingham, England, and formed Denny Laine and the Diplomats with future Electric Light Orchestra drummer Bev Bevan as a teenager. But he didn’t find success until 1964, when he joined forces with Ray Thomas and Mike Ponder* to form the Moody Blues. They started as a blues cover band on the London club scene, but they moved over to pop music after just a few months. In late 1964, they recorded a cover of the Bessie Banks song “Go Now” featuring Laine on lead vocals and guitar.

*note by me: Ponder should be Pinder

Denny Laine - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Go Now in peace, Mr. Laine.

 

[CCJD]

He added: “Denny was a great talent with a fine sense of humour and was always ready to help other people. He will be missed by all his fans and remembered with great fondness by his friends. I send my condolences and best wishes to his wife, Elizabeth and family. Peace and love Denny. It was a pleasure to know you. We are all going to miss you.”

Paul McCartney Remembers Denny Laine: 'It Was a Pleasure to Know You'

Paul McCartney has paid tribute to his Wings bandmate Denny Laine, who died on Dec. 5 at 79.

www.rollingstone.com