Denny Laine, Wings founding member, dies at 79
Denny Laine, who co-founded Wings with Paul and Linda McCartney, has died aged 79. His wife, Elizabeth Mele-Hines, has confirmed his passing and revealed his cause of death was lung disease.
Laine first rose to prominence as a member of the Moody Blues, which he helped form in 1964. Following the end of their tenure in 1966, he began making music with the Electric Street Band, Balls and as a solo artist, but the ventures didn’t get off the ground. However, his fortunes changed in 1971 when he formed Wings with Paul and Linda McCartney. Laine remained with the group for ten years until they parted ways in 1981.
Following the disbandment of Wings, Laine continued to work with McCartney and appeared on two solo albums from the former Beatles member. Additionally, he also co-wrote ‘Rainclouds’, which appeared as the B-side to ‘Ebony and Ivory’.
Outside of Wings, Laine released 12 solo albums, with his most recent offering, The Blue Musician, arriving in 2008. Earlier this year, he toured the United States, with his final show taking place at The Tin Pan in Richmond, Virginia, on July 19th.
Taking to Instagram, Mele-Hines shared an image of her with the former Moody Blues guitarist. She captioned the post: “My darling husband passed away peacefully early this morning. I was at his bedside, holding his hand as I played his favourite Christmas songs for him. 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.”
Mele-Hines 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. He fought everyday. He was so strong and brave, never complained. All he wanted was to be home with me and his pet kitty, Charley, playing his gypsy guitar.”
“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. I thank you all for sending both of us love and support. It was my absolute honor and privilege to not only be his wife, but to care for him during his illness and vulnerability,” she added.
Laine continued: “Thank you to Dennys surgeons, doctors, specialists, physical therapists and nurses at Naples Hospital for working so hard to help him. Thank you for your compassion and support for me during these past several emotional months.”
She concluded by writing: “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. Thank you sweetie for loving me, for all the laughter, friendship, fun and for asking me to be your wife. I will love you forever. Please give Denny’s friends and family the time and privacy needed as we grieve our loss.”
Earlier this year, Mele-Hines set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Laine’s physical and medical rehabilitation, which she said related to an illness that developed in his lungs after a bout of Covid-19 in 2022.
Laine married Mele-Hines in 2023, and the couple resided together in Florida. He is also survived by his five children from previous relationships.
See her post on Instagram below.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.