Dave Clark Five Frontman Mike Smith Dies at 64
- Posted on Feb 29th 2008 10:30AM by Gaylord Fields
- Comments (76)
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.
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Reader Comments(1 of 4)
fromeuropetoyou2at 3-01-2008
Great Musician of his time. God Bless
Anneat 3-01-2008
He was my favorite member of that band! I'm so sorry to hear about his death, especially right before they were going to be inducted! Unless you were a kid listening to music then, you wouldn't know HOW popular the DC5 were. They actually were 2nd only to the Beatles at the time. How sad. Rock on, Mike!
mjat 3-01-2008
I had a major crush on him in the sixties. I thought the Dave Clark 5 was the best band ever, yes, better than the Beatles. Hey, I was 12. What great memories I have of buying their albums, with my saved up money. Loved the music, loved the times. Rest in peace, and thank you.
John F.C. Taylorat 3-01-2008
What a shame.
Rickat 3-01-2008
Rest in Peace, Mike. His contributions to rock n' roll were inmumerable. He WAS the Dave Clark 5...singer, songwriter, front man. They were always #2 to the Beatles, but their sound was unique and couldn't be compared to the Beatles sound. March 10 will be a sad, yet celebritory evening for the remaining band members. He wote some great tunes.
They deserve a second listen... 40 years later.
Donna Tat 3-01-2008
"Anyway You Want It" is one of the most repeated songs on my IPOD, and I wasn't around when they were big. Great Band...Great Voice. RIP.
Sweetsat 3-01-2008
I also have found memories of extra chores to earn more money for DC5 45's and albums. I always liked Dave the best, pictures on the wall and all that! So long to a talented man and a very fond memory. God bless you and your family! RIP
sidat 3-01-2008
DC5 was always my fav. OVER AND OVER the stones, and kinks! i did like the beatles but not as much as the others.
sidat 3-01-2008
in case anyone wants to know, the DC5 were formed to raise money for a youth football(soccer)team!
Lindaat 3-01-2008
I too liked the DC5 more than the Beatles.. especially Mike.. I hope he is at peace now ..
Y79 Oldsat 3-01-2008
Bits and Pieces has always been my DC5 song. It's a shame how "music" has changed since then. It's mostly loud noise these days.
RIP Mike
patat 3-01-2008
So sorry
Chrisat 3-01-2008
I am so sad to hear this!:(
Javahat 3-01-2008
never heard of him or that group
d1m1nuat 3-01-2008
So Mike and bandmate Denis Payton are making music in heaven now. I wish we'd all been made aware of his spinal injury five years ago- he would have been inundated with words of support! Dave Clark was popular, to be sure, but Mike Smith was The Dreamy One whose face was on all the magazines. For what it's worth, I don't think the Stones replaced them- their sound was just too different to compare; so it wasn't fan support that faded as much as perhaps industry support. Anyway, to this day, you can't help but feel happy and energized when you hear Mike Smith belting out a song. What a wonderful legacy! Sympathies to his family and friends, including surviving DC5 members Dave, Lenny and Rick. God bless them all!
Irene F. Mazurat 3-01-2008
I was in my tweens and teens during the DC5's heyday and my favorite songs of theirs were "Catch Us If You Can" and "Everybody Knows." Whenever I hear one of their songs, I remember what it felt like to be so young; it's like actually being that age again. Mike's passing is such a tragic loss to the music world. I feel like a part of my youth has just been ripped away. Rest in peace, Mike. Your mark on the world will always be remembered and appreciated.
dmartinis@aol.comat 3-01-2008
I used to really enjoy their music! I never thought they even came close to the Beatles, but they added to the excitement of the times. Some very good songs!
One group I never saw live, I think!
Tipat 3-01-2008
I'm in pieces
Bits and pieces
Bubblegum at its best, the DC5 had three hits that i can remember, and then disappeared into obscurity. i wouldn't rank them anywhere near the beatles, kinks, stones in the long run or even herman's hermits, but briefly there they were IT. glad to see they're getting a place in the hall of fame, and regret mike's passing.
Karenat 3-01-2008
I was so sad to hear of Mike's death. I was such a fan of DC5. I'm remembering all the fun my girlfriends and I had listening to their music along with the Beatles. Rest in Peace.
Daleat 3-01-2008
I loved the sone Because. I had a crush on Lenny- the blonde. I have a stack of their 45's. i wonder who will show up at the HOF induction.
RIP Mike- now he's in R&R heaven with DennyPayton- the sax player for the band