The Dave Clark Five

The Dave Clark Five The Dave Clark Five were a British Invasion band formed in 1958 in Tottenham, London, led by drummer/producer Dave Clark (born 1942). The classic lineup included Mike Smith (lead vocals), Lenny Davidson (lead guitar), Rick Huxley (bass), and Denis Payton (saxophone). Known for their “Tottenham Sound”—a punchy, drum-forward beat—they rivaled The Beatles in popularity with 17 U.S. Top 40 hits. Breakthroughs included “Glad All Over” (UK No. 1, 1963), “Bits and Pieces,” “Do You Love Me,” “Catch Us If You Can” (title track of their 1965 film), and “Because.” They appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show a record 18 times. Clark produced, managed, and wrote many tracks, giving the band a polished, high-energy style. They disbanded in 1970 after a final tour. Mike Smith died in 2008, Huxley in 2013, and Payton in 2006. Dave Clark survived a serious 2012 spinal injury and, as of 2026 at age 83, remains involved in reissues and occasional interviews. Though never inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, their upbeat, drum-driven pop captured the joyful, beat-heavy side of the British Invasion and influenced later power-pop acts.