Denny Laine
b. Brian Hines, 29 October 1944, Jersey, Channel Islands. An integral part of the Birmingham beat scene, this vocalist/guitarist formed his own group, Denny Laine And The Diplomats, in 1962. Two years later, he became a founder member of the Moody Blues, and was the featured singer on the group's international hit, Go Now. Later recordings were less successful and, in November 1966, Laine abandoned the unit to embark on an ill-starred solo career. Although his debut release, Say You Don't Mind, failed to chart, the single garnered considerable critical plaudits. Colin Blunstone's sympathetic cover version later became a UK Top 20 hit in 1972. Laine's experimental ensemble, the Electric String Band, collapsed prematurely, and he spent much of the late '60s drifting between several short-lived groups, including Balls and Ginger Baker's Airforce. He also completed a solo album, but this remained unissued for several years. Between 1971-80, Laine was an integral member of Wings, co-writing the multi-million selling Mull Of Kintyre. His departure followed adverse publicity in the wake of leader Paul McCartney's arrest on drugs charges. An intermittently talented individual, Denny Laine has since pursued a solo path, which has failed to match its original promise.