The Moody Blues & Wings veteran passed away Tuesday (12/5) . His wife broke the news to his fans by writing, "I was at his bedside, holding his hand as I played his favorite Christmas songs for him. 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".

The 79 year old Laine had been stricken with a form of lung disease. His death falls on the anniversary of the 1973 release of Band on the Run.

Photo: CC 2.0 Rob DiCaterino