Denny Laine

Denny Laine (born Brian Hines, on October 29, 1944, in Birmingham, England) is a British songwriter and musician best known for his roles as former guitarist and singer of The Moody Blues and, l

Denny Laine (born Brian Hines, on October 29, 1944, in Birmingham, England) is a British songwriter and musician best known for his roles as former guitarist and singer of The Moody Blues and, later, co-founder (along with Paul McCartney) of Wings. Having taken up the guitar as a boy, under the influence of jazz legend Django Reinhardt, Laine began his career as a professional musician fronting Denny and the Diplomats, the members of which included future Electric Light Orchestra drummer Bev Bevan. In 1964, Laine abandoned Denny and the Diplomats to join The Moody Blues, singing their first big hit, "Go Now." His tenure with the band was limited, however, and after a number of comparative failures, Laine quit.

With Wings, Laine enjoyed his greatest success since The Moody Blues' release of "Go Now," helping McCartney write his first smash hit since his career with The Beatles, "Mull of Kintyre." Along with McCartney's wife, Linda, Laine helped form the nucleus of the band, providing lead and rhythm guitars, bass guitars, backing vocals and sometimes lead vocals.