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Dave Clark Five Frontman Mike Smith Dies at 64

Mike Smith, lead singer and keyboard player of the Dave Clark Five, passed away from pneumonia Thursday in a hospital outside London. Smith, who was paralyzed in a spinal cord injury in 2003, was 64. The sad news precedes what would otherwise be a celebratory time for the British Invasion group, as it will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 10.

Considering the DC5 were the second most popular British band in 1964, it's easy to overlook Smith's contributions as the gruff-voiced frontman and primary songwriter on hits such as 'Glad All Over,' 'Bits and Pieces' and 'Can't You See That She's Mine.' His relative anonymity both within his own group and to the rock community at large was exacerbated by the fact that drummer, bandleader and manager Dave Clark was the public face of his namesake London-based five-piece combo. Thanks in no small part to Smith, at least for a while it was not considered preposterous to utter the DC5's name in comparison to the Beatles.

Read more about Mike Smith

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Rick Brabant

I too was a big fan,maybe the biggest ! When the Beatles came, I thought they were it, then later I think that same year the DC5 , WOW, something about these guys that was magical, the Beatles were better writers, but,I loved these guys, have all there records...plus ...I had the chance to meet Mike @ his show in Ontario Canada, I could not let go of his hand, I told him how much they meant to me & not forgotten....now he`s gone...GOD BLESS YOU MIKE...Thankyou for the times....

December 01 2010 at 11:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bruce

One of the best rock covers ever : " Do you love me ".Mike had a great set of pipes on this one. Out did the original version done by the Contours. I wish there were some decent DVD'S on the DC5 , instead of just bootlegs and copies of U. S. TV shows.

November 24 2009 at 2:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
penfill57

so sad i grew up in the late 50s and early 60s use to lov the zombies dc5 early beatles to this day ive never seen anything close to the music that came out from 61 to 1966, paul rever and the radiers, rascels, freddy and the dreamers,the turtles, deion and the belmonts,gerry and the pacemakers,searchers/herman hermits, this list can go on. can we say this today? nope cant even come close.

July 09 2009 at 5:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dave

Mike was "The Man" in the DC5. Great singer and quite the showman. One wonders what idiots make the selection for the R&R Hall of Fame to not have inducted this group many years ago. Stinks of political correctness or pure arrogance and stupidity.

Thanks Mike!

March 08 2008 at 4:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rhiannoncat

God Bless Mike Smith. He was so looking forward to being inducted in the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. Did you know that they should of been inducted in last years class. They received more votes than Grand Master Flash but Jann Wenner wanted Grand Master Flash in and overode the vote. Now Mike Smith doesn't get the chance to live his dream. That is why I have boycotted Rolling Stone magazine and I am not the only one. Shame shame.

March 07 2008 at 7:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stan

Grandmaster Flash?..haaaahhaaaahhaaaa hoo-hoo.Who bought his crappy music?..Figures that Wenner would be a fan of grandmaster... and Liberace!

March 02 2008 at 8:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike

They were a tremendous band, and left a legacy to Rock and Roll. Rest in Peace Mike, you have run your race. You are loved.

March 01 2008 at 4:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
aleighcat

Oh...thanks for the info...I didn't read the full article. He was popular during my sisters' teen years. My sisters are 10 & 12 years older than me...I was born in 1965. I can remember them getting ready for high school in the mornings and putting on records (the Beatles, Three Dog Night, Donovan, the Monkees, etc..)on the old console stereo (remember those?!) and Momyelling at them to "turn it down and hurry up before they missed the bus"...lol I remember "Bits and Pieces", but not the rest. I would probably remember the songs once I heard them. My sincerest condolences to his family. His induction will be bittersweet.

March 01 2008 at 3:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ron Reed

Sorry to hear about anyone's passing, but the British invasion was barf music to me. I stayed drunk till it was over.

March 01 2008 at 3:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Questioningly

I'm in pieces...bits and pieces. The man had so much going against him at the end. He and the band made a lot of fine music. May he have at last found peace.

March 01 2008 at 2:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply