DENNY LAINE
McCartney’s Wings-man
(1944–2023)
BEFORE fully immersing themselves in symphonic prog-pop, The Moody Blues were an R&B band from Birmingham who followed the ’60s beat trail to London. Denny Laine served as their focal point, a singer-guitarist of rare emotional power; his vocals were at their searing best on the Moodies’ cover of Bessie Banks’ “Go Now!”, which topped the UK charts in January 1965.
Laine quit in September 1966 to form his own Electric String Band, while also signing a solo deal with Deram. Neither project was successful. He went on to join the group Balls and had a brief spell in Ginger Baker’s Air Force, but it was Paul McCartney who revived his fortunes in ’71. Seeking a guitarist and secondary singer for his newly formed Wings, McCartney remembered Laine from late ’65, when the Moodies supported The Beatles on their final UK tour. “Our two bands had a lot of respect for each other and a lot of fun together,” McCartney recalled. “Denny was an outstanding vocalist and guitar player.”
A self-effacing character who valued the creative process over notions of stardom, Laine proved an ideal foil for McCartney during his 10-year term with Wings. He was versatileEgypt” or his own “Time To Hide”, a spectacular live staple.
