Denny Laine, star musician with Moody Blues and Wings, has died aged 79

Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine has died aged 79.

The musician, who also co-founded the Wings band with Sir Paul McCartney, 81, passed away after a lung cancer battle, with his wife Elizabeth Hines confirming his death in a moving social media post.

She said on Instagram, “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.

“He and I both believed he would overcome his health setbacks and return to the rehabilitation centre and eventually home.”

She added about Denny’s fight with illness: “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 honour and privilege to not only be his wife, but to care for him during his illness and vulnerability.”

Thanking the medical staff who looked after her husband in his final months, Elizabeth said: “My world will never be the same. Denny was an amazingly wonderful person, so loving and sweet to me. He made my days colourful, 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.”

Denny co-founded Wings with Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney and Denny Seiwell in 1971 and played with the group until its break up in 1981.

Paul McCartney has also paid tribute to his former bandmate, writing: “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.”

He continued: “Denny joined Wings at the outset. He was an outstanding vocalist and guitar player. His most famous performance is probably ‘Go Now’ an old Bessie Banks song which he would sing brilliantly. He and I wrote some songs together the most successful being ‘Mull of Kintyre’ which was a big hit in the Seventies. We had drifted apart but in recent years managed to reestablish our friendship and share memories of our times together.”

Denny was a member of the Moody Blues from 1964 to 1966.

- Written by Bang! Showbiz and republished here with edits and permission