Denny Laine, Wings and Moody Blues musician, dies age 79

Denny Laine, lead singer of the Moody Blues and a guitarist with Paul McCartney's band Wings, has died at the age of 79.

His wife Elizabeth Hines said he died after a long battle with lung disease.

"I was at his side, holding his hand as I played his favourite Christmas songs for him," she said in a statement.

Among other achievements, Laine sang on the Moody Blues' multi-million selling Go Now and co-wrote the Wings hit Mull of Kintyre.

Born Brian Hines, he grew up in Birmingham and was inspired to play guitar by jazz legend Django Reinhardt.

In the 1960s, he formed a band called Denny and the Dilpomats, which featured future Wizzard singer Roy Wood.

After they dissolved, he created The Moody Blues, who scored a number one hit with Go Now and followed it up with a number of R&B-influenced singles like From The Bottom of My Heart.

But more commercial success was not forthcoming, and Laine left before the band reinvented itself as a progressive rock outfit with songs like Nights In White Satin.

Laine tried again with the Denny Laine String Band, before jumping ship to work with Cream drummer Ginger Baker in his hard rock outfit Air Force.

In 1971, McCartney announced the arrival of his first band since the Beatles, centred around songs written with wife Linda.

Laine provided guitar, bass and vocals, giving essential support to McCartney on hits like Jet, Band on the Run and Live and Let Die.

In her statement, Laine's wife said he had expected to recover from lung disease, but the condition got progressively worse.

"He fought everyday. He was so strong and brave, never complained," she wrote.

"All he wanted was to be home with me and his pet kitty, Charley, playing his gypsy guitar."

After thanking fans for their support, she asked for "the time and privacy" the family would need "as we grieve for our loss".