Dave Clark Five

Originally a backing group for north London singer Stan Saxon, the Five originally comprised Dave Clark on drums and vocals, backed by various musicians, including bassist Chris Wells and guitarist Mick Ryan.

After splitting from Saxon the Five established their own identity. The evolving line-up eventually featured Mike Smith, Rick Huxley, Lenny Davidson and Denis Payton. Smith's throaty vocals and Clark's incessant thumping beat became two of the group's most familiar trademarks.

After seeing their cover of Do You Love Me? pipped at the post by a version by Brian Poole and The Tremeloes, the Dave Clark Five contrived to write their own winners, and succeeded with Glad All Over and Bits and Pieces reaching number one and number two respectively.

However their British success was dwarfed by their progress in America where they concentrated their efforts throughout the sixties. Following their 1964 breakthrough, they scored no fewer than 24 hits before breaking up.