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#493813 - 02/28/08 03:39 PM
Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
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Thurman
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Registered: 09/16/02
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from his mgmt.
February 28, 2008
For Immediate Release
DAVE CLARK FIVE SINGER-SONGWRITER MIKE SMITH, R.I.P.
Mike Smith, the lead singer and keyboard player of The Dave Clark Five, one of the premier bands to emerge during the 1960s British Invasion, died today from pneumonia at Stoke Mandeville Hospital outside of London. His devoted wife, Arlene, who is known as Charlie, was by his side. Smith was 64 years old.
Smith, who was due to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame with his band mates on Monday, March 10th, was admitted to the hospitals Intensive Care Unit yesterday morning with a chest infection, a complication from a spinal cord injury he sustained in September, 2003 that left him a tetraplegic (paralyzed below the ribcage with limited use of his upper body). Smith had been in the hospital since the accident, and was just released in December 2007 when he moved into a specially-prepared home near the hospital with his wife. Prior to his hospitalization yesterday, arrangements were being made to transport Smith to New York so he could personally attend the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
After his accident, Smith found tremendous support from his peers including Bruce Springsteen, Little Steven Van Zandt, and Peter Noone of Hermans Hermits, who helped defray his medical costs through donations and fundraisers. Long-time fan and Late Show bandleader, Paul Shaffer, helped organize a benefit concert in New York in August 2005, which featured many of Smiths fellow British Invasion stars, including The Zombies and Peter & Gordon. A DVD of the benefit, Paul Shaffer and his British Invasion: A Tribute to Mike Smith will be released in March by VDI Entertainment.
According to Smiths agent, Margo Lewis of TCI in New York, These last five years were extremely difficult for Mike. I am incredibly saddened to lose him, his energy and his humor, but I am comforted by the fact that he had the chance to spend his final months and days at home with his loving wife, Charlie, whom he adored, instead of in the hospital, and that he was able to attend a recent concert in London by his good friend, Bruce Springsteen. He was extremely excited and honored to have been inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and I am glad that he will be remembered as a Hall of Famer, because he was in so many ways.
For more information, please contact:
Margo Lewis
TCI - Talent Consultants International
margolewis@tciartists.com
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#493820 - 02/28/08 03:48 PM
Re: Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
[Re: Thurman]
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Earwig
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Registered: 12/15/06
Posts: 1473
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Sad, sad news...I was looking forward to seeing him inducted at RRHF. Great voice, great guy...had to endure so much in the past few years.
Wishing you Peace at last...
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#493822 - 02/28/08 03:51 PM
Re: Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
[Re: Earwig]
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Quest4BetterPop
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Registered: 06/13/07
Posts: 2910
Loc: Northern NJ
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Very sad news. His contributions will resonate and he will be missed.
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#493838 - 02/28/08 04:32 PM
Re: Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
[Re: Quest4BetterPop]
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jimi lalumia
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Registered: 01/26/00
Posts: 12276
Loc: ronkonkoma,ny usa
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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/...04236042&sr=1-1
Jayne will be extremely upset over this news of her initial inspiration...
note the famous wig that Wayne wore in the early days of glitter rock, with "Dave Clark Five" always prominently displayed
Edited by jimi lalumia (02/28/08 04:33 PM)
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#493839 - 02/28/08 04:35 PM
Re: Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
[Re: Quest4BetterPop]
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thx1169
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Registered: 05/15/07
Posts: 78
Loc: North NJ
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I worked with Mike in the mid 1980's on a couple of commercials as an engineer.
A memorable one was for American Airlines, he flew in from London the night before and we set to work the next day at 8 AM. And worked straight through until 8 AM the next day! R&R hours on a jingle session, surprised the shit outta me the first time!
I remember him as a great guy, affable and easy to work with. He wrote the song, produced and led the entire session from basic tracks, overdubs and mixing.
The man was profesional, funny and offered help and guidance to every musician, all in a 24 hour period with little or no breaks.
We did a National spot for AA in 24hrs. I was dead tired at the end and Mike was as nice at the end of the seeion as when we started.
As soon as the last version was mixed and he had his cassette copy, he was off to the airport back home.
He did this type of jingle work 2 or 3 times a year.
RIP Mr. Smith.
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#493964 - 02/28/08 07:55 PM
Re: Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
[Re: thx1169]
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parkbench
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Registered: 01/07/04
Posts: 1263
Loc: The Big Raisin
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and damn YOU, Jann Wenner.
--parkbench
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#493968 - 02/28/08 08:08 PM
Re: Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
[Re: parkbench]
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Swampfox
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Registered: 04/12/06
Posts: 122
Loc: The Great State Of Ga.
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What a shame...Finally gets his due and passes just before the dream was realized....R.I.P.
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Been here for years under a different name , needed to change..
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#494001 - 02/28/08 09:49 PM
Re: Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
[Re: Swampfox]
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BobBarnett
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Registered: 06/14/06
Posts: 87
Loc: Huntington Beach, CA
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Saw them at the Long Beach Arena w PJ Proby and the Isley Bros-like 42 years ago?????????????
They were great live RIP
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#494153 - 02/29/08 10:40 AM
Re: Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
[Re: BobBarnett]
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MichaelG
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Registered: 05/18/01
Posts: 1814
Loc: Toronto
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The sax player also died a couple of years ago from cancer.
DC5 were okay although they always struck me as a novelty act and I never took them seriously on any musical level.
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#494163 - 02/29/08 11:04 AM
Re: Mike Smith of the Dave Clark 5 R.I.P.
[Re: MichaelG]
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jimi lalumia
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Registered: 01/26/00
Posts: 12276
Loc: ronkonkoma,ny usa
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a novelty act? You must have been born in the 80s....
Tiny Tim was a novelty act; The DC5 was a mid 60s kick ass rock and roll band that gave The Beatles a run for their money in America in 64/65/66; if you weren't there, don't talk about it, cos you obviously don't know what you're talking about...
novelty act....
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