Michael Smith, the lead vocalist and keyboard player for the Dave Clark Five, was born 71 years ago today. The band was a leading group in the British Invasion of the United States, and were the Beatles main British rivals before the emergence of the Rolling Stones. Smith was born in Edmonton, North London, an only child of George and Maud Smith. His parents found he had a natural ability as a pianist that surfaced as early as age five. Smith started lessons in classical piano, and at age 13 passed the entrance exams at Trinity Music College in London. Smith first met Dave Clark when they were both members on the same football team for the St. George Boys Club. By his mid-teens, Smith had developed a strong vocal delivery, while idolizing Little Richard, among other American rock and roll stars. At age 17, while working for a finance company, Smith was invited by Clark to join his band, which was busy rebuilding itself around the core of Clark and rhythm guitarist (later bassist) Rick Huxley, after having recently lost its lead singer. With Smith on vocals, piano or organ (and occasionally playing guitar in later years), the new Dave Clark Five was completed with the additions of saxophonist Denis (Denny) Payton and lead guitarist Lenny Davidson, who was auditioned on Smiths recommendation. Smith made his recording debut, at age 18, with the single I Knew It All the Time b/w (flip side) Thats What I Said produced by Pye Records in June 1962 and credited to the unknown band The Dave Clark Five featuring Mike Smith. Performed in a style midway between early British beat and the bolder 1960s sounds that were developing, it was a powerful record to be issued while the Beatles were still developing their first recording deal. Due to his role as lead singer, Smith was considered the other star of the band, less visible by name than drummer/founder Clark but still at the centre of the groups sound as lead singer and keyboard player. Smiths singing showed the strong influence of Elvis Presley during the period of The Girl of My Best Friend, (Maries the Name) His Latest Flame and Little Sister. Smiths rich and raspy baritone voice and keyboards were clearly evident in the band’s sound over seven years: during their two major years of success in 1964-1965 and continuing five years after the British Invasion died down in America, until the group disbanded in 1970. Smith continued working with Clark in the early 1970s, mainly to help the drummer/bandleader fulfill contractual commitments, as Dave Clark & Friends. Smith & Clark released cover versions of popular hits such as Rub It In, Sweet City Woman, and Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye). They split in 1973. In 1976, Mike recorded with former Manfred Mann singer Michael dAbo. Most of Smiths work in the 1970s and 1980s, however, was as a producer and songwriter, and Smith was successful working on commercials (commercial ads), authoring jingles for many products. Smith returned to performing in the late 1990s, and discovered he still had many fans on the oldies circuit. Having moved to Spain, Smith had met four musicians who shared his dedication to playing for fun above all else: lead guitarist Doug Lean; bassist Curt Sandell; drummer Paul Skelton and saxophone player Frank Mead. After rehearsing at each other’s houses on the Costa del Sol, the group made their concert debut in August, 2002 when they played a benefit for a charity of abused children and raised $100,000. Beginning in March 2003, Mike Smiths Rock Engine occasional tours generated very enthusiastic responses from audiences, despite being prevented from mentioning the Dave Clark Five in his advertising, Smith appeared to be emerging as a popular star in his own right. In September 2003, nearing age 60, Smith was involved in a falling accident in his home in Spain, which caused severe injury to his spinal cord. The accident left him permanently paralyzed from the waist down and in his right arm, with very little movement in his left arm. Following four years of treatment, Smith was released from hospital on his 64th birthday, December 6, 2007. On December 19, Bruce Springsteen, a longtime friend and fan, dedicated Born to Run to Smith and his wife, Charlie, who were attending his concert at the O2 in London. Smith died on February 28, 2008 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, at the age of 64, of pneumonia, a complication from his earlier accident. He died only 11 days before he was to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Dave Clark Five. Here, the Dave Clark Five performs “Do You Love Me.”
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 08:03:16 +0000
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