Jo Jo Laine
Jo Jo Laine (born Joanne LaPatrie, Danvers, Massachusetts, July 13, 1952— London, October 29, 2006) [1] was an American singer, model and actress, who married The Moody Blues founder Denny Laine while he was a member of Paul McCartney's group Wings. Originally a groupie[1] who had affairs with Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and many other artists, she had a lengthy relationship with Rod Stewart just before her meeting Laine. Stewart is said to have written the hit song "You Wear It Well" for her, and in the foreword to her autobiography (as yet unpublished) he wrote 'You wore it well then, Jo Jo, and you wear it well now.' Ginger Baker wrote the last page of her book, saying - very affectionately - 'No sane man would go near her.'
Biography
Recording artist
Laine recorded with Sting and Andy Summers of The Police on her Pye Records single "Hulk" (the B-side was "Dancing Man"; the musicians from The Police possibly appeared only on the A-side), and with Ray Fenwick of the group Fancy in Jo Jo Laine & The Firm for Mercury Records. She was friends with the members of Led Zeppelin, and rumor has it when Jimmy Page wanted the name The Firm, there were no objections from Laine. She dated producer Jimmy Miller from 1986 to 1988, and he in turn produced a number of recordings for her, including a remake of Gerry Goffin and Carole King's Herman's Hermits hit "(I'm Into) Something Good", which Laine changed to "I'm In For Something Good!"
In 1986, Laine managed the British group 'The Mannish Boys', and also performed in the Boston band 'Gear'.
From 1991 to 1996, Laine and her children lived on the estate of Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath.[1]
Memoirs
Laine's memoirs appeared in the British tabloid Sunday People, in a series of articles on April 17, April 18 and May 1, 1983.[2]
Death
Laine died at St George's Hospital, Tooting, London, at the age of 54, after a fall at her former home of Yew Corner, in Laleham, Surrey. She is survived by her children, Laine and Heidi Jo Hines (from her marriage to Denny Laine); and a son Boston O'Donohue, from a relationship with Peter O'Donohue.
References
- Jo-Jo Laine Obituary
- The McCartney File: A Comprehensive Guide to His Life and Career, compiled by Bill Harry (Virgin Books Ltd., London, 1986, 192 pages)
External links
- Jo Jo Laine website at the Wayback Machine (archived February 13, 2007)