Mike Smith (Dave Clark Five)
| Mike Smith | |
|---|---|
Smith in 1964 at an Ed Sullivan Show appearance.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael George Smith |
| Born |
6 December 1943 Edmonton, North London, England |
| Died | 28 February 2008 (aged 64) Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England |
| Genres | Pop, Rock, Beat |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, Keyboards |
| Years active | fl. ca. 1960s – 2003 |
| Labels | Columbia (EMI), Epic |
| Associated acts | The Dave Clark Five |
Michael George 'Mike' Smith (6 December 1943 – 28 February 2008) was an English singer, songwriter and music producer.
In the 1960s, Smith was the lead vocalist and keyboard player for the Dave Clark Five. The band was a leading unit 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 idolising Little Richard, among other American rock & 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 Smith's recommendation.
Smith made his recording debut, at age 18, with the single "I Knew It All the Time" b/w (flip side) "That's 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.
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