When you look up the definition of the phrase “Versatile Enigma,” a picture of Denny Laine will surely be near it. Born Brian Frederick Hines in Tyseley, Birmingham, England, the name change occurred very early on with the formation of his first band, The Diplomats. Laine felt that Brian Frederick Hines and the Diplomats sounded horrid, so he took the surname of his girlfriend at the time’s favorite singer (Frankie Laine) and Denny came from a childhood nickname as his stage name. Laine has been quoted as saying “everyone had a backyard, and a den to hang out. I think I got that nickname there.”
Laine started playing guitar at age 12, soon adding in bass guitar and piano, and honed his musical skills to perfection playing around at local gigs both solo, and with the Diplomats. By 1964, Laine was restless and ready to take his career to the next level, and after leaving the Diplomats, he co-founded M&B 5 with musicians Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas, which later became simply...