Denny Laine, Wings and Moody Blues co-founder, dead at 79

Denny Laine, co-founder of Wings with Paul McCartney, died Tuesday after battling lung disease, his wife Elizabeth Hines confirmed to Fox News Digital. He was 79.

The "Band on the Run" singer formed two of the biggest rock bands of all time, both with The Moody Blues and McCartney's Wings.

"My darling husband passed away peacefully early this morning. I was at his bedside, holding his hand as I played his favorite Christmas songs for him," she shared on social media. "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.

Denny Laine: A Life in Pictures

Denny Laine poses for a portrait in June 1967. (Caroline Gillies/BIPs/Getty Images)



Denny Laine and drummer Graeme Edge, during a sound check for the Moody Blues, February 12, 1965. (Chris Ware/Keystone/Getty Images)



A group portrait of the Moody Blues- L - R Denny Laine, Clint Warwick, Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge and Mike Pinder. (GAB Archive/Redferns)



Denny Laine, Linda McCartney, and Paul McCartney pose up for a publicity still as original members of the band, Wings.  (Gems/Redferns)



Wings perform Junior's Farm on Top of  The Pops. (David Redfern/Redferns)



This photo from the mid-1970's shows (L-R) Jimmy McCulloch, Denny Laine, Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney, Joe English. (GAB Archive/Redferns)



Paul McCartney and Wings - Band On The Run - album cover featuring Paul and Linda McCartney along with Denny Laine, and six other well-known people: Michael Parkinson, Kenny Lynch, James Coburn, Clement Freud, Christopher Lee and John Conteh. (Alamy)



Denny Laine and Paul McCartney as Wings perform at The Lewisham Odeon on December 3rd, 1979 in London, United Kingdom. (Pete Still/Redferns)



Denny Laine posed wearing a leather jacket outside near a harbor 1981.  (Michael Putland/Getty Images)



Denny Laine performs with Jeff Brown and Joe Orlando of The Cryers perform at Eddie's Attic on April 20, 2015 in Decatur, Georgia. (Chris McKay/Getty Images)



Denny Laine in a portrait taken backstage at "The Music Of Paul McCartney" Live Rehearsal Show sound check at City Winery on March 14, 2023 in New York City, United States. (Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

MACKENZIE, CHYNNA PHILLIPS SAY FAMOUS FATHER WAS ‘A MONSTER’ AFTER INCESTUAL RELATIONSHIP

"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. 

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Hines added, "He fought everyday. He was so strong and brave, never complained."

Laine, born Brian Frederick Hines, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Moody Blues in 2018.

Tracy Wright is an entertainment reporter for Fox News Digital. Send story tips to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..