That is tragic about the singer’s passing. At least he and the band will finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame, after last year’s fiasco of them being voted into the Hall, but kept out because of stupid behind-the-scenes politics with the Hall.

Beyond sad. Saw him perform on 2003. One of a kind. He was the greatest lead vocal/keyboardist singer of the Rock and Roll Era!!!

This is a sad day for Rock & Roll!
Rest in Peace Mike!

Very sad day in Music. Mike Smith will be missed. “BECAUSE” is one of the greatest love songs of all time. Rest in eternal peace Mike Smith. God Bless you in heaven as He did on earth forever.

With “Glad All Over”, “Bits And Pieces”, Smith became the the 3rd authentic rock voice of the British Invasion, preceded only by Lennon and McCartney. Many of us viewed the Beatles as a pop act who dabbled in R’n'R, and the DC5 as the real deal. ( Stones, Kinks, Yardbirds & Who hadn’t yet surfaced in the US.) These recorded performances by Mike will live on forever.

I had the opportunity to chat with him for a few minutes at his concert in CT a few years ago. A true gentleman and totally down to earth. Truely a sad day in music. Rest in Peace Mike.

What a great band they were. Mike Smith will be missed! One of the FEW bands my mother liked back then! She loved GLAD ALL OVER.

My brother and I had the extreme good fortune to see Mike and Rock Engine in Sacramento, CA a few years ago.

We are musicians ourselves, old enough to remember the DC 5, and we have seen just about every well-known musician and band in concert over the years.

We STILL talk about MSRE and consider it one of, if not the best, shows we have ever seen. Such power and soul! That Voice of Mike’s was completely untouched by time and was absolutely thrilling to hear live. People of all ages, races, and walks of life were there and I always consider that to be a sign of an artist’s greatness.When they tore into ‘Bits and Pieces’ the house came down. People were teary-eyed during ‘Come Home’. Mike was truly gifted.

I was fortuante to see Mike 3 times in 2003, and to meet his wife Charlie. I will never forget either one. I bet Mike is upstairs jammin with Denis Peyton.

I was fortuante to see Mike 3 times in 2003, and to meet his wife Charlie. I will never forget either one. I bet Mike is upstairs jammin with Denis Peyton.

Another piece of my childhood is gone. He was my favorite DC5 member – and the cutest!

Tragic. Reminds me of how Joe Strummer died shortly before the Clash were inducted. It’ll cast a bit of a dark cloud.

I am sick to hear this terrible news.He was so looking forward to ”crossing the pond” and getting the award. Maybe now Dave Clark will finalley release the cataloge on CD.Does anyone know if the RnR Hall of Fame releses dvds of the procedings?

So sad to hear,becaus Mike said on his website. how he could’nt wait to ”cross the pond” and receive his award.RIP to a verrry underated singer.

I also saw him in 2003. He was great before and was great then. He will be missed by all.

Mike’s untimely passing recalls the tragic demise of DUSTY SPRINFIELD, less than 2 weeks before she was to be inducted. Our ears have lost TWO unique voices, whose sounds remind us of the best of the British Invasion…indeed, two of the very best recorded voices ever. We were blessed by their deposits in our hearts’ accounts. May Mike RIP, but we shall forever be thankful for all they have given us! Doc

What a sad day it is…I remember seeing the DC5 “back in the day”…fantastic experience!!! A talented musician and great human being will be missed by so many.

I had the great honor of interviewing Mike Smith back in 2003, and he said he hoped the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction would happen while he’s still around. Sadly, that wasn’t to be, but his great music will endure. Mike was one of the greatest rock singers who ever lived, and a very modest, fine gentleman.

Still have a photo of me and my younger brother sitting on our beds with one of those old metal record racks displayed proudly between us. The lp positioned in front would be our obsession at that particular point in time, and that lp was The DC5’s GLAD ALL OVER. The title song and “Any Way You Want It” from the COAST TO COAST album remain personal favorites to this day. Sickened to hear of Mike Smith’s passing. A pretty cool day ended up not so. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Sad day indeed for the rest of us as well. Hurtin’ inside, people…

He and I shared the same name and I got a lot of mileage out of that over the years. A cool looking guy with a great wailing voice. I am playing DC 5 now (nice and loud on a stereo as it was meant to be heard, not on my Ipod) and I am remembering. RIP Mike

One of the great bands using the organ and the foot-stomp. Their Greatest Hits 2-cd set reveals some great music beyond their Top 40 hits.
Smith had that great “smile” and great voice so perfect for the 60’s.

He was a very special person. I had the good fortune to see him in concert with the DC5 in ‘65 and again a few years ago with MSRE. I got to meet him after the show and told him I’d waited 35 years for him to “comeback”. He smiled and said “thanks my friend” and shook my hand. He was extremely gracious to all of us, signing autographs, posing for pics and even talking to a lady’s daughter on her cell phone.
His wife, Charlie, was equally nice to spend those few minutes with and she’s been some trooper over the past couple of year’s under very tough circumstances.
I will miss this man, who has meant so much to me in many unexplainable ways. I know the band in Heaven just got a helluva lot better. Thank you Mike.

Mike Smith had a charismatic presence, a rich growling-baritone voice, and phenomenal keyboard skills. A totally unique presence in a band that had a powerful, original, and exciting sound. RIP.

The DC5 were to me the all time best british band to hit the states. It’s funny, but nowadays a person with the overwhelming voice in a group usually leaves to pursue a solo career. Mike Smith stayed through the ups and downs of the group till its eventual break-up. You rarely see that in the music business today.

He may have not been a household name (since a lot of people think that Dave Clark was the lead singer), but we still lost an awesome singer. Hopefully their entire catalogue gets re-issued.

The most “Under Appreciated Band” of all time. It was well overdue that The DC5 get put into the R&R HOF. Should have been in 15 years ago. Its a shame Mike won’t be there but he will have the best seat in the house. That band in Heaven just seems to get better.

Because the band members were clean cut and often wore matching outfits, people just wrote the DC5 off as lightweight. WRONG! Their rock n roll hit hard with every single. “Because” is one of the greatest ballads recorded in the decade. Their music has aged well and still sounds great. Mike Smith wailing “Do You Love Me” is one of the iconic moments of the 60s. What a voice! R.I.P. Mike.

Sad news. He really delivered “You Got What It Takes”, one of my all-time favorites. I never got to see the DC5 or him live, sorry to say. I always felt he was underrated and overlooked. Seeing him was my first thought when I heard about the induction ceremony. Glad All Over was the first LP I ever bought, still have it on the shelf, right over there.

2003 Saw Mike Smith voice of Dave Clark Five perform in Denver, Colorado. A rare appearance in USA
in decades. He was an asset to Rock & Roll. Dave Clark Five was a
big part of the 60’s. ‘Because’ will always be one of my favorite
ballads. Their songs were ‘hits’
nothing less! Thank you Mike Smith
for your music .. There’s definitely a place for you in that ‘Rock & Roll Heaven”.

One down, four to go.

I was in love with Denis my sister with Mike. They were great. Love their music. Sorry I never got the chance to see them live. RIP guys.

WHAT A LOSS THE MUSIC WORLD HAS HAD HAPPEN TO IT. I REMEMBER HEARING THE DC5′S MUSIC FROM MY FATHER. HE WAS A BIG FAN AS ANYONE ELSE WAS. MIKE WILL ALWAYS LIVE ON AS A LEGEND OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND WILL LIVE FOREVER. R.I.P MIKE AND YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BECAUSE OF THE MUSIC THAT YOU AND THE REST OF THE DAVE CLARK FIVE HAVE CREATED.

Far too many younger music fans are not familiar with Mike’s incredible talent; that reason being Dave Clark’s refusal to reissue the band’s material.

That is a shame because Mike Smith was, in my humble opinion, the greatest singer to come out of the sixties. To say he is unappreciated is a major understatement.

Come on, Dave, release the od stuff and let people hear Mike’s voice roar once more.

Learning of Mike’s death darkened my day. I had just viewed him on YouTube a couple of days ago and received an email saying “someone replied to your comment.” I happily went over to the website, eager to read what a fellow fan had written. I saw a couple of comments saying “Rest in Peace” and thought no, someone surely was misinformed.
Although I have never met him, I felt sure I knew him by watching his performances. He had that kind of ever-present smile and twinkle in his eyes. I will always remember that.

I still remember seeing the DC5 at the Mayfair Movie theatre on Coney Island Avenue/Avenue U in Brookyn when I was in my teens…I was in the first row and loved seeing Mike up close and personal…He will be missed…Rest in Peace!!

I was very fortunate to have seen Mike and Rock Engine perform in Sacramento. He still had the same charismatic charm and powerful voice that propelled him to stardom in the 60s. One of the greatest singers in rock and roll history. Thank you for all the music Mike. We love you and will miss you very much.

grew up with DC5, and will always enjoy hearing their music, as long as i live …. tks, MIKE!!!

I saw the DC5 twice yearly from 1964 to 1968 when they stopped touring and several times when I was in Britain. I was fortunate enough to chat with the group several times. I saw Mike and the Rock Engine four times. Mike was ever the gentleman and a bit mischievous. He and Denis Payton are tremendous talents. Though my day is darker, Heaven is a brighter place.

MIKE SMITH
I was so sorry to hear the passing of Mike Smith of THE DAVE CLARK FIVE. Mike was a patient on the spinal unit when I was involved with Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio, collecting requests, several years ago. I can remember a very special visitor Mike had. It was none other than Michael Ball, (now starring in the musical HAIRSPRAY)I believe they had been friends for years. Now to refresh your memory, should you be too young to know.
Glad all over was a song written by Mike Smith and Dave Clark and recorded by the group THE DAVE CLARK FIVE and in January 1964 (I was at the tender age of 19) it became the British group’s first big hit, reaching number one for two weeks in the UK singles chart. Believe it or not dethroning the BEATLES I wanna hold your hand.
In 1993 GLAD ALL OVER was reissued as a single in the UK, and placed at No 37.
Recently Bon Jovis have opened their concerts with a version of GLAD ALL OVER.
Mike Smith was a true gent and will be sadly missed by people from all walks of life.

God bless you Mike.

Terry Meades

Mike Smith was my first “crush” and I love him still and always (may sound stupid for a 50+ housewife in the States, but I don’t care!)… His sexy, soulful voice, quirky smile and mischievious blue eyes will be missed forever. And, of course, the music will never, ever be the same… Love always, and Thanks, Mike and the DC5 for great tunes and memories.

For me and thousands of starry-eyed teen girls, Mike Smith and his soulful growling voice, driving keyboard, quirky smile and sweet blue eyes were the epitome of the ’60s British Invasion. I never bought a Beetles record, but own all the DC5 put out and any CDs I can find. Love you still, Mike, and Thanks for the memories and the great, great music. Wish I could have known you…

The man was a know-nothing prick.

So sad about Mike Smith…a great guy and a nice gentleman. I met him and the Five back in the 60’s and still play their music. Heaven just got a lot richer in its Talent Department. Love to you, Mike, and God bless and support Charlie.

Mike Smith made the world better not just with his musical talents, but with his optimism, and good cheer under the most daunting circumstances anyone could face. (Ex: The death of his son, and his own paralysis and long hospitalization.) I had the thrill of meeting him during his March 03 B.B.King concert in NYC which was “standing room only”. No one present was dissapointed. His voice was multi-faceted, and versatile. Mike was also a classically trained pianist. I am very saddened to learn of his passing, but know that this “phase” of suffering is over for him. My sincere condolences to his true love Mrs. Charlie Smith who was there through “thick and thin” with him. May God Rest His Soul… “Rock On Boomer”….

Its a shame that the greedy Dave Clark wont rerelease the music!!
Mike Smith was the star of that group and Dave was the businessman.
I wish he could have lived to be inducted but thats OK his voice lives on. Along with Eric Burdon one of the greatest vocalist to come out of the british invasion

Its a shame that the greedy Dave Clark wont rerelease the music!!
Mike Smith was the star of that group and Dave was the businessman.
I wish he could have lived to be inducted but thats OK his voice lives on. Along with Eric Burdon one of the greatest vocalist to come out of the british invasion

The Dave Clark Five were one of the top acts of the sixties. It’s a shame that the record companies of the 60’s did such an injustice to the groups and just wanted to cash in on the British Invasion Phenomenon. The DC5 albums were releases as “Electronically Channeled Stereo” which did not reveal their true musical abilities. Their stereo recordings that are available sound nothing short of fantastic, songs such as Glad All Over, Bits & Pieces, Come Home, Do You Love Me, Whenever You’re Around, Catch Us If You Can, Can’t You See That She’s Mine reveal their true musicianship. Mike was the real leader of the group and his powerful vocals reflected the band’s energy. May he rest in peace!! I can’t wait to see the tribute when they are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which waited entirely too long to give the group their due.

The energy and soul of Mike`s voice was the very heart of the DC5. I felt as though I`d lost a family member, especially since my greatest joy from reading his website was that he was excited and looking forward to being at the induction on March 10th. It will be a satisfying, yet poignantly sad day when they receive their overdue reward.

First concert I ever saw……..the DC5 in montreal….my favorite band…..sad..!

I loved the DC5, and Denny Payton and Mike Smith were my 2 favorites, and now they are both gone.
Life is REALLY not FAIR!!!!!

My first album was American Tour and never looked back since then!Then proceeded to buy up all there music’
Mike Smith was the dave clark five and always will be! One of the greatest voices in rocknroll history!

What a really wonderful guy, great voice and musician, I think his voice made the Dave Clark Five too!
A very underrated band and man!
RIP Mike!

The Dave Clark Five were one of the very best bands of the 60’s. The singles were the loudest, most compressed records that ever existed. Smacked you in the face. Great songs and great,great sax lines. Their records were incredible! Listen to them if you never heard them!
Nobody did it like them. They have always been underrated.
I am very sorry the singer is missing the Hall of Fame induction which is long overdue.
I still have all my DC5 singles and treasure them. Some of the very best Rock n’ Roll!

Mike was as talented as he was adorable. He’ll have the best view of his Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Induction from the great beyond. But Dave Clark oughtta get beyond his love affair with his bank balance and release DC5’s wonderful back catalog.

so sad to hear about mike smith of the dc5…..great music to match a great voice….mike will be surely missed but his music will keep on going…it`s about time they got into the rock n roll hall of fame….

It’s kinda funny how the group was named after the drummer (Dave Clark) Five. Really it should have been called the Mike Smith 5 seeing he was the lead singer of the group.

I was there at Mikes last concert in Cleveland march 30 2003,he sounded just as great as the time I saw him perform in 65,when I wasjust a teen.I raise a toast to the greatest voice in rock EVER.So glad he is finally in the rock hall

It is very surprising that none of the Dave Clark Fives Albums are available on CD.

It is very surprising that none of the Dave Clark Fives Albums are available on CD.

The DC5 were my favorite band..ever. I have every album they ever made..including albums from overseas! My brother took me to see them @ Constitution Hall in D.C. They rocked the house!! Saw them twice…once with a ” newcomer ” Neil Diamond and The Troggs (Wild Thing). So happy they finally made it into the HOF…but all of you are right…should have been last year. Love to all of you who had the sense to know a great band!

I cried the day I heard of his passing. My best friend Ruth and I went to many of the DC5 concerts over the years that they did in New Jersey. Unfortunately, Ruth passed away several years ago; but I’m sure she would also have cried since he was her favorite DC5 member. My parents also enjoyed their music. Rest in Peace, Mike!

The DC5 will always be the best. R.I.P Mike Smith. You and the band will be missed. The DC5 should have been inducted into the rock n roll hall of fame sooner.

The DC5 will be missed without Mike Smith RIP Mike. Your band was true rock and roll band not like the bullshit groups out there now. Madonna you suck you use sex to sell that shit you call music.Hell you have to go to another country to adopt kid.

My older brother introduced my siblings and me to his favorite band, The Dave Clark 5. He even sported the white Levis and black, pointed-toe boots the band made popular when they stomped their feet to “Bits and Pieces”.

My sister’s favorite was Denny. Mike was my favorite. It was always fun to watch the DC5 because of Mike.

The music I grew up with leaves me with many happy memories. Whenever I listen to the DC5, it’s Mike’s smiling face and enthusiasm that I’ll remember the most.

My deepest condolences to Mike’s widow, family and friends.

When the DC-5 first hit the U.S., I quickly jumped from the Beatles’ ship to them. Saw them twice in Pittsburgh and once in Johnstown. Last remember seeing them perform on The Tom Jones television show in (I believe) 1969. They were doing a “psychedelic” instrumental, which was an apparent last-ditch effort to get with the hippie scene that was so prominent then. Trust me on this: at their apex, they caused quite a sensation and had a devoted following equal to the Fab Four’s. And they were a hit machine! Later, I became a rabid Ramones fan, and the very last song I saw them do live before they called it quits was the Five’s “Anyway You Want It.” It was a great version of a great song. Both were GREAT bands!

No one will ever replace Mike Smith of the DC5. That man could croon a love song or belt out some good old rock and roll like no one else.
It’s a shame that he passed away before he could share in the glow of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The DC5 deserved to be honored long before now. I hope Mike is “Reelin and Rockin” with the rest of the stars in heaven. What a band that must be!
With love and sympathy to his wife Charlie.
DC5 Forever!!!

I’m sorry Mike Smith’s voice has been silenced. I remember hearing “Bits and Pieces” on the radio back in the day and getting chills – none of this sissy “P.S., I Love You” crap. The DC5 was a hard-working, rocking, band that never quit, and probably inspired more amateur Saturday night dance hall bands throughout the UK than any other group of their day. Every musician in that band brought something “to the table” to create a sound with great energy and freshness. They deserve to be in the R & R Hall of Fame and it’s about damn time.

I was 10 years old when the Dave Clark Five came pounding across america coast to coast. My neighbor was an avid Beatles fan but me, being a musician at a young age heard and saw something that was so far ahead of their time. I will start with Dave. He would mic is Rogers drum set so you could feel each beat and thud bouncing off your chest. The drums were lit up with colored lights under each drum. He used is floor tom which drummers in that era forgot existed. Dave had a smile that shined across the areana. He was the first drummer I ever saw dance and sing live standing up when they performed the song, All Night Long.” Lenny on guitar played chords that were not yet invented in the rock & roll dictionary. Denny on sax did lead solo’s that were an ears delight. I am saddened by his death in 2006. I didn’t say “was” I said am! I still grieve. Rick on bass showed musicians that you are supposed to be “one” with the drummers kicker. Then alas, Mike Smith. Wow! What an outstanding performer both vocally and in his uncomprable performance for that era. Overall, there once was a band that did not come on stage with a stained t-shirt and holes in their jeans. All six american tours brought a stunning fashion. I saw the 1s, 3rd and last tours. There was 6 tours in america, all sold out. I am a record producer and a musician living in the State of Utah where there is no music industry. However I was raised in the San Francisco Bay area during the rise ofa new sound with bands like Cream, Hendrix, Santana and the Who. No one can take the credit for my being a die hard musician from the Dave Clark Five. They are legends. The saddest moment in my life was hearing Mike Smith died just 10 days before being inducted into the rock & roll hall of fame. He was there along with Denny. You just could not see them.

Mike you’ll be missed by us who know what real talent is!! Whenever you play Bits and Pieces at a party whomever is not moving must be a dead corpse!!! Rest in Peace sweet one!!! You rocked !!

It is very sad to hear about Mike’s death.A wonderful and brilliant voice that makes either a man or a woman scream upon hearing their music. Oh boy, another great loss for the music world.Rest in peace Mike and thanks for the memories.

The DC-5 were great !! I loved Mike Smith’s deep voice in bits and pieces and glad all over. I think his best was the name of the place is ( I LIKE IT LIKE THAT) I will never forget the group or the great Mike Smith !!

OH, I forgot, how about Mike Smith’s deep vocals on the song….NO TIME TO LOSE…. Awesome !!

I was so lucky to have seen the Dave Clark 5 in 1966 at the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford CT.
I saw Mike Smith in 2003 with Rock Machine. Mike’s music & voice will live with me forever. My prayers go to you Charlie. Rest in Peace Mike.

I’m so shocked to learn of this, we were good friends way back. I loved Gerge and Maude and I loved you, too, Mike. Thanks you for making me feel like someone special!!!!

I grew up during the 60s. There was no British Invasion band during that time that rocked harder than the DC5. I am a drummer and have played over 40 years. The voice and the musicianship of Mike Smith is unsurpassed – even to this day.

Shame on DAVE CLARK.. how he could get away with replacing his name with one of the true writers of Universal Love and Every American Citizen. That being the true writers are Poulsen/Griffin -Universal Love, Peacock/Griffin- Every American Citizen.
Dave is up for a big disappointment when he tries to collect royalties from PRS/MCPS.

Dave Cark did not write these tracks!

Welome to our world Melinda! Want to see 200 or so previous DC5 songs where this has happened? I’m sure DC will know the legalities of what he’s done and is probably legally correct.By adding the line “thanking all the American DC5 fans for their support etc” into the original song ( “Every American Citizen”) he has probably got some legal loophole right to add his name to that particular version as a “co-writer” and obtain writing royalties for it.

I can’t find anywhere where he’s changed “Universal Love” to Clark-Poulsen though.
J

If you call PRS and check out the writers you will see them clearly.

He has no legal right to replace his name with one of the original writers not giving them credit is simply wrong. I am based in Australia and am a friend of the family of one of the members of Procession. What Dave Cark is doing or trying to do is simply illegal.

My boyfriend encouraged me to downloaded from iTunes the hits album just now and we see in the booklett the credits that Clark placed himself as writer. Leaving Mr. Griffin out completely. I am writer of music (nothing anyone ever heard) but know that there is such thing as moral rights.
That one is crafty and cheekie.

Seeing the Dave Clark Five on the old Ed Sullivan show on March 15, 1964 started my record collection and my love for pop music. I owe them that. To me, their music is timeless and packs the same punch that it did forty-some years ago. I find that I enjoy their old LPs just as much (or more) now than I did back in the sixties. Maybe it’s true that “you can never go home again”, but you can certainly still listen to the music. DC5 songs help to keep me young. The deaths of Denis Payton and Mike Smith are tragic, but the music that they made together with the rest of the DC5 will live on forever. I treasure all of the happy times they have given me.

I grew up right smack in the middle of the British invasion. I knew it THEN and I know it NOW. They were quite simply the BEST. Always will be, mostly because of Mike Smith. God bless you Mike.

The world lost one great musician
when Mike Smith left us…he will be missed! I read that in the early 60’s, Mike jammed with the Beatles now and then…makes one wonder how things might have been if Mike had joined them…

Mike was and still is my very favorite rocker. It still saddens me that he couldn’t make it long enough to get to the HOF induction in person. We all know he was there in spirit as well as Denny.
I got their double cd set years ago and listen to it almost every day.

Mike did have quite the voice and seemed to ooze personality. (Wish I woulda married somebody with that much personality instead of a stick in the mud. My bad.)Beautiful blue eyes, too.

Did my comments about Mike Smith’s passing come to late? I realize it wasn’t exactly new news, but still…Quite sad.

My favorite song, BECAUSE and BERNADETTE reminds me of my youth.
Too bad, the singer mey be gone but the music still lingers on.

never had the money to see the DC5 had all of their lps…Dc. please re- release your albums on CD…especially On Broadway. i have a job now and would buy them all. your were such a great talent and would love to pass on to my grandkids!!!!!

Mike Smith was the talent of the DC5. His singing was glorious, and I am so sorry to hear of his death.