Moody Blues & Wings Co-Founder Denny Laine Makes Rare Appearance at White\\'s Bar

Denny Laine is a seminal figure in the history of British Rock n' Roll having rubbed elbows with just about every major figure of the "Invasion" of 1964 when the Beatles took over the charts and opened America's doors to a host of British bands including the Dave Clark 5, the Animals, Searchers, Troggs, the Moody Blues and many others.

Denny's early fame resulted from his role in founding the Moody Blues with Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge. Denny had a large hand in crafting the Moodies' original R&B sound and sang lead on their first hit the incredible Go Now.

By 1966, Denny sought a new musical direction and formed Denny Laine & the Incredible String Band, which inspired the formation of Electric Light Orchestra, which had two of Denny's ex-band mates from the Diplomats, Bev Bevan and Roy Wood (of the Move). In 1969/70 Denny was a singer and guitarist for a short lived supergroup, Ginger Baker's Airforce.

But Denny is most fondly remembered in America as a founding member of Wings with Paul and Linda McCartney. Wings enjoyed massive worldwide success as both a recording and a touring band. Their live shows garnered glowing reviews and by the time their triple live LP Wings Over America was released in December 1976, it was apparent that Wings was more of a working band than just a McCartney vehicle.

Laine's role was pivotal as a songwriter (Time To Hide) and co-writer (Mull of Kintyre) as well as multi-instrumentalist (lead and rhythm guitarist, bass, keyboards). Wings most heralded album Band on the Run was the work of a trio consisting of Paul and Linda McCartney and Denny Laine, Paul focused on bass and drums while Denny took the role of lead guitarist and they all sang. To this day Band on the Run is a glorious achievement. In the book White Bicycles, the author Joe Boyd writes, "Laine was one of the era's great singers, immortalized by his vocal on the Moody Blues' Go

Now, and eventually successful singing harmony with McCartney in Wings, but he never got the recognition he deserved.

It's about time

Since the breakup of Wings in 1980, Denny has released 12 solo albums and 10 compilation albums.  He continues to tour extensively performing songs from his solo career along side such career nuggets as Go Now, Time to Hide and Band on the Run.

On August 28th, Laine headlined the prestigious "Farewell Liverpool Concert" concert at the legendary Cavern Club in front of a packed and rapturous house. Performing many of his Wings songs, Denny's tribute also celebrated the 800th birthday of the City of Liverpool.

The prodigal son returned where it all began for him and his first professional band Denny Laine & the Diplomats. And so it is - life goes around and comes full circle.

Laine is performing an indoor show@ White's Bar on Thursday, October 25th @ 7pm. $15 tickets are available now at White's Bar.