Mike Smith of The Dave Clark Five, R.I.P.

Funny thing is, I bought a Dave Clark Five album before I bought my first Beatle album. And even funnier thing was I always thought Dave Clark was the name of the singer in the band. Nope. Dave was the drummer. The singer was keyboardist Mike Smith who has sadly died today at the age of 64 of pneumonia.

For the moment or two that they knocked the Beatles' "I Want To Hold Your Hand" off the charts with "Glad All Over," The DC5 were the bestt next big thing there was at the time. And while their albums never competed as great full length works, the DC5 were one of the great Brit Invasion singles bands of their time. Definitely better than Herman's Hermits, Freddie & The Dreamers and Gerry & The Pacemakers all wrapped up in one. I dug them too, but for their duration of glory, the DC5 kicked my ass. They still do.

Can't You See That She's Mine - Dave Clark Five
Because - Dave Clark Five