I am Ron Ryan, my brother as stated in the video was the guitarist in one of the DC5 lineups. I wrote (on my own, I never write with other writers), some of the Bands early songs such as 'Doo Dah, Mulberry Bush, That's what I said, Can I trust you, All of the time, and some of the hits like Bit's and pieces, Because, Thinking of you baby, Anyway you want it. The agreement I had with Dave Clark was 50% of my own songs and 50% of the records 'mechanicals', (what the record sold for). Dave wanted to stop me having my name on the songs because he wanted him and Mike Smith to be seen as the Bands John Lennon and Paul Mccartney, I did not like the idea but as I was despirate at the time and had not had any of the promised money I reluctantly agreed when Dave said 'you know you can trust me Ron'. He then went back on the agreemnt and I ended up with peanuts, but a few friends who were songwriters knew my story and when Dave Clark aproached them trying to do business regarding their songs (like Ray Davies) they were forwarned and steered clear of him, so it did help other song writers.
It makes me think the DC5 could have had so much more fame and longevity if Dave had been less I'll say ruthless. It seems to me the creativity of the members and writers weren't respected or paid accordingly. No wonder they left, think of the heights they could have reached. I wish you would have been paid and given the credit that you deserved,
Hello, Ron! I was hoping you’d catch this video! Thank you for corroborating what I researched it really helps a lot. My purpose was to try and shed some light on you and Mike as the writers of many of the early hits since the band is in the HOF, and I know that there are some “perks” that come along with that, such as autograph sessions and panels at music conventions. I will never understand why for some people “all the money in the world” is never enough. Dave had to have it all but didn’t see that keeping you and Mike happier probably would’ve meant more longevity and success for the band. But I guess it’s all in the past. All we can do now is try to add your story to the tapestry. I hope I’ve done that. Thanks for checking in, Ron!
@@TheGuitarHistorian Hello and thanks for your kind words. It's great that there are some people like you around who are 'truth seekers'. I still find it hard to believe even after all these years that after all the help I gave to Dave Clark who at one time I counted as a friend he would turn out to be so greedy, I was willing to give him 50% of my songs (what other song writer would do that?) because we were friends and in the end 50% was not enough for him. Also by saying that unless I let him and Mike Smith put their names to my songs so that he could appear to the DC5 fans as the Bands writers I would not get my 50% (which by the way I never got) he robbed me of having my name on million selling songs which would have helped my song writing career when the Band disbanded. Still I don't hate Dave Clark, people find it strange when I say that, but hate is a very negative thing, and it can consume the hater, but in fact I pity him, OK he made a fortune, and made it on other peoples talents, but what did it cost him in human terms??? I always say 'a person's life is written on their face' and if you look at recent photo's of Dave Clark it's all there to see, all the greed, it's sad to see. Once again thanks for your kind words, time and effort, and hours of research, I thank you and I wish you well.
Hello Ron, nice to hear from you again. I'm not sure if you would remember me but we were having a long conversation on RUclips a while back. You were sending me links to some of your songs, which I really enjoyed. I'm glad to see you on here to confirm some of the reality from back then. I'm also very grateful for this upload. Let the truth prevail!
@@magneto7930 Hello!! I hope you are well. Glad you like my newer songs. There is a Band in Yorkshire called 'All you need is drums' who are working on an album of my new songs, I have heard a few rough cuts and it's going very well indeed!!
Yea Me Too..As A 71 year old , After All Those Years, I Still Have The First Two Mono Albums With Clark's Name On Most of the Tracks! But There's One Song On Session with The Dave Clark Five ( first Album) Called On Broadway , A Real Tribute to Mike Smith..👍
I was born in 1952. I would love to love these presentations, but the super-rushed delivery takes any joy OUT of my experience. You are too close to the mic, and why is the hardware so prominent? Yes, I have roaring Tinitus, having been the sound roadie for the Association in 1975, followed by 30 years in recording studios where producers always wanted the monitors up too loud. (Everything sounds great up loud, but that why Aurotones were invented). I truly wish I could partake of your presentations . . .
I'm 67. Heartbroken is the right word. I had their autographs framed and hanging on my wall. After I heard the real story, I took the autographs down. I no longer look at them.
@@ronsmith5573 Totally understand. But the contribution of the music still stands. Behind the scenes of the glamor people are people of good and evil. May we find the good and praise it.
Without Mike Smith Dave was a nothing I have followed this band and Mike Smith till his untimely passing....I grew up with their music on my little record player every night I am now in my 70's and still listen to them....I miss your fantastic voice Mike❤
Agree about Mike Smith. My family saw them in concert in 65 in Virginia Beach, at least I thought they were playing and singing. Not so sure if what I heard was just a recording. Anyway they did have many great songs.
Mike was a good singer but I think you underestimate Dave Clark. He was one of the first people to buck the system by owning the rights to his own music. While the five person group was a great combination, Dave would have been successful with whatever group he put together.
@@katebrownlee56 that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. My opinion is that he was one of the better drummers of that time and Mike Smith was a good singer but no Paul McCartney or Mick Jagger. Have you seen the documentary on the Dave Clark Five? In it, they say he was a musical and business genius accomplishing things before even the Beatles.
@@thethinktank-y9p mick jagger sounds like a screeching owl..McCartney smooth and soothing Mike Smith raspy and strong ....Saw them in concert 7 x Dave Clark mediocre ....
Dave Clark was so lucky to have one of the best and one of the most recognizable voices of that time Mike Smith. It should have been the Mike Smith Five
I was in the music buiness[ country ] side for forty years until I retired in my hometown NASHVILLE, I found that most bands or single singers will do anything to get a record deal and the producers and other music bigwigs know it, Some of the women singers had to do what is called SPREAD EM, and male singers had to give half of the money they made to the producers and the singers only got a little if it was a hit, But WAYLON, WILLIE, BOBBY BEAR, GEORGE JONES, DAVID ALLEN COE, fought the bigwigs until it changed it, MERLE HAGGARD, HANK JR, are big names and have huge fanbases and have made some good records and are rich and both in my opinion are two of the biggest bull- shiters in NASHVILLE when HANK JR. would hold an outside concert in NASHVILLE he would pretend to be drinking JACK DANIELS BUT IT WAS TEA and he would instigate a fight between boys from KNOXVILLE AND NASHVILLE BOYS while he is safely on stage with bodyguards around him, It's all about the money, a few years ago they made a movie about HANK GARLAND who was one of the top guitar pickers and the tragedy he was involved it,that movie shows hot dirty the Nashville music side is,
I think Dave was probably a bully. He claimed for publicity purposes (to appeal to kids) that he was three years younger than he actually was/is. So, he manipulated (in my opinion) the younger members of the group. Plus, he was a fitness freak, and perhaps that gave him an added edge; older and stronger.
I knew Mike very well, and I agree with what you say to a point, what I would add is don't overlook the fine work Len' and Den' did in the Band. They were both very good song writers and singers and were a big part in the Bands success.
I had the privilege to meet Mike Smith back at the beginning of the 80s, and he and I planned for him to produce a single for the band I was involved with, literally running through the figures on a beermat in the Coopers Arms, a pub off London's Kings Road. Things never proceeded as the band split not long after. A great guy, supremely talented, sadly missed.....
All I know is the DC5 had a most terrific blending of voices, the 1st & 2nd voices giving out a really great blend. At 75 yrs old, I stand by what I always claimed, they were better than the Beatles! Nevermind the facts here mentioned, past is past, Dave led the group & they made it, so why bring the past up? I loved them as a group! ❤❤❤
When I was about five years old my 13 year old brother and I we're put on a plane in Missoula Montana to go to Seattle to see our father. My brother recognized the group of boys and went and hung out with them in the aisle. Of course I had to go see what the excitement was about. They were so nice to me. It was a big deal for my brother to meet the Dave Clark Five. I think they gave him a ticket to see the concert. He remembered that till his dying day may he rest in peace
@@Krzyszczynski I can see that you are against the DC5, so nothing they did is revelent . I like the band regardless of who played on the records and it was Dave's conception of what they wore , recorded or otherwise. He was the manager and retained all rights to the songs. No one knows what the members were paid but they all seemed to do very well after the band broke up, except Mike. He made a few bad investments in the music business and lost quite a lot of money. But he wasn't poverty stricken.
I Thank You for yet another exceptionally insightful video. I read so many heartfelt responses here that I’ll simply say I was born (1949) and raised in Central California and the Dave Clark Five were, and are, a sound of their own. Some of us old farts treasure their music.
@@raymondpierotti8414 I knew that there were whispers about DC5 problems and Dave Clark was dodgy throughout his life, that was well known, but sad that Mike Smith didn't reap the rewards he deserved. great singer, presence, and keyboards...RIP Mike Smith....
I played in a band with Lenny Davidson in the 1980's and can confirm that he is a very accomplished guitarist and also a really nice guy. However he was always tight lipped about the DC5 and never mentioned his past, which is a shame as he should be proud of what he achieved, even if he was ripped off by Dave Clark. Lenny went on to study classical guitar and I wish him all the best, we would all love to have experienced a tenth of what he achieved.
@@jennifursun3303 Dave exhibits paranoid sociopathic behaviour. He obviously cared for no one but Dave. I mean, he literally ripped off his friends and bandmates while they were together. We aren't exactly looking at Carl Palmer or Ginger Baker. More like Tom Parker mixed with an okay drummer.
I miss Mike Smith and his "Because". I sang "Because" on several stages when I was young playing bass guitar. Thanks for this great memory of Dave Clark Five.
Dave is a very sad man. He knows what he did and who he did it too. He could've spared 10 Million Pounds for Mike and thank you Guitar Historian for shedding light on the legacy on the whole group.
Dave Clark was a narcissistic sociopath who only ever cared about his own interests. It is heartbreaking what he did to those 4 hard-working guys especially Mike Smith.
Dave Clark is now a sad old man that not many people like including Elton John. With all his millions he never lifted a finger to help Mike Smith financially after his accident when he could have well afforded it, Mikes wife Charlie had to plead even to get him a new pair of glasses.
I saw The Dave Clark 5 three times during the 60's. They played excellently. I saw Mike Smith twice with his new band in 2004 just before his horrible accident at his home. Fortunately, I met him at his last concert here in Sacramento and got his autograph on two albums. Mike smith is one of my all-time favorite singers and the DC5 music is played by me regularly. Great video. I learned some more details, thanks.
He had one of the best raw rock voices, sang with such emotion and passion....him standing by that key board, standing tall and blasting out pure bubble gum clasics.
accident? I was just expressing my concern for a band mates malfeasance above, Ron Ryan. Maybe some incidental pay back leveling of the playing field - such a dark side to the many those, who maybe reaped a better share of what might otherwise been a more rightful, Mutual distribution.
I met Denis Payton (saxophone) in 1996 running his own estate agency. Lovely guy. Admitted that he'd had lots of offers to reform or play as "EX-DC5" but had refused, only doing the "odd charity gig". I got the impression that they had all signed what we now call a "non disclosure agreement" (or similar) that prevented them from appearing live as a member of the DC5 or any tribute thereof.
@John Cottet Yeah when Mike toured with his own band in 2003there was some fallout about using the DC5 name when advertising the concerts.The venues must have gotten around it because I’ve seen videos with banners mentioning the DC5 name. Hard to believe DC would still want to cash in on his former bandmates🤦🏻♀️
Saw them live, yes, they were a great band. Live show was in Miami Convention Center. Excellent musicians, pro group, delivered exciting show, perfection in delivery and sound!
It seems that Dave Clark made millions and the other band members got screwed. Dave Clark hit the jackpot when Mike Smith became the lead singer. The drumming did not make the band, it was Mike Smith's singing and great voice. The band should have been called the Mike Smith Five.
I absolutely agree. But at the Shindig the stupid camera never focused on Mike. That time.. 1964, I was in high school in Seoul, South Korea watching it on US military broadcasting AFKN-TV channel 2.
The “ Mike Smith One “ would have been the reality . Listen to the other instruments. Yes they sound decent on the recordings, but that was not the DC 5 playing or singing with the exception of Mike Smith …
@@wesleycook7687 Maybe. But one way or another, assumptions or theories leave one with a negative or positive. I choose the positive. It just seems so much better for a great song(s) that has impacted so many people over the many years of it's release.
This is absolutely fantastic, thank you for helping to get the facts out there! I interviewed Ron Ryan for my podcast, That 60s Recording Podcast, and have recorded an album (using Bobby Graham’s personal Alice 828 mixing desk!) of unreleased material from Ron which is forthcoming. He deserves far more recognition for his contribution. Thank you again for your fantastic channel!
Mike Smith was one of the best rock singers I ever heard. Unbelievably good. Aggressive & authoritative. A commanding tone. And he did sing some wonderful rock songs. "Glad All Over," "Bits and Pieces," & "Try Too Hard," along with lesser-known monsters "No Time To Lose," "I Know You," "Can't You See That She's Mine," "Anyway You Want It." Damn...a great repertoire & those are just a few songs. They made the most appearances of any British rock band on The Ed Sullivan Show -- 18. Vocally -- Mike Smith as a rock singer is right up there without a doubt -- with Elvis, Jim Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Plant, Lennon & McCartney, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mick Jagger, Roger Daltry & anyone else you can think of that was original & powerful. Smith was terrific. I miss him. Mike Smith & Righteous Brother Bobby Hatfield had great vocals but didn't score in their respective solo efforts. I think it was poor material & poor producing. Someone like Bobby Darin or Dion DiMucci should've produced them -- they understood the music these men were trying to make. (Just an opinion).
The DC5 are not alone ....Bobby Graham played on many hits that he doesn’t appear on the sleeve. All of the early Kinks is actually Graham on drums. He’s also the session drummer on early Them records. Graham played on thousands of records .He’s the British equivalent of Hal Blaine.
Bobby Graham played on the Kinks first four UK singles and on 75% of The Kinks' debut album. Clem Cattini played on almost all of the group's 3rd album"The Kink Kontroversy" (excepting "Milk Cow Blues" & "Ring The Bells" which feature Mick Avory)
Bobby had an insanely powerful style in any setting but would definitely stick to the stomping template set forth by DC at their sessions. His fills on "It Don't Feel Good" from the Try Too Hard LP are positively explosive!!
Due to a very old friend of mine playing with Bobby Graham on various projects i got to chat with him on many occasions. He was happy to talk about the old days and who he had recorded with. But as his pals said to me it would be a much shorter conversation if i just asked him who he had not recorded with.
Another good drummer around at the time ,with Clem Cattini and Bobby Graham was Mick Underwood.I saw him playing once and marvelled at his technique. Chatting with him after he reeled off plenty of names who got the benefit of his services..I think to be employed as a session drummer ,at that time ,in London you had to be excellent at your instrument ,with the ability to read drum music charts as well..( and to be a tad judicious about telling whom you have " ghost " drummed for !)
Hello Guitar Historian, I just wanted to thank you once again for this very good video, lot's of time, energy, and effort went into it and it comes across as a 'labour of love' for the suject. I have had quite a few people sending me comments after watching your video, and they had some very positive things to say and I have answered them all personally. Thanks to you and people like you who are 'seekers of truth' the truth about what went on back then is coming to light. So again thanks, and I wish you well, Ron Ryan.
Thanks - another very well researched and presented story. I had heard of some of what you mentioned - certainly the session drummer for recordings, but I had no idea how much this really was a business project and not a "band". Great work, thanks
I agree with what you say about the writing of this piece Bob, it must have taken much hard work, time, and effort to do researching all the facts. Here's some more facts, each Band member had to sign a contract to Dave Clark if they wanted to stay in the Band!! And they were paid a set weekly wage regardess of how much the Band was making on tours, live shows, and TV shows. Also it was written in the contract that any song any of the Band members wrote had to have Dave's name on as 'co writer' so that Dave could take 50% of each songs royalties.
@@BobPerrone Don't say anything nasty about him mate, pity him, he made his fortune from exploting his friends (like me) and his Bandmates, and he has to live with that, so pity him, a very sad indevidual
I suspect that there are many closets full of skeletons throughout the music industry, whether they are band members, managers, record companies, sponsors or other band contacts who act out of manipulation, greed, ego or otherwise. As much as I enjoy the music - and recently was re-introduced to it on RUclips, I have no doubt that the DC5 are certainly not the only band who had been taken to the cleaners. Ron Ryan, I thank you for the works - they will last forever, and that legacy is something nobody can take away from you.
trebblemaker: you made an accurate point: there are many sad stories of musicians tragically ripped off in the music industry, so much it almost seems the norm.
I really enjoyed not only the professionalism of this documentary about DC5, but the honest and obviously factual account of how this band was formed, and how it operated. I was pretty surprised, but then again, with the way we have been thoroughly informed about the how and whys, and likening it to the more modern 'pre packaged' group thing, I felt I had gained an acceptance and, a grounding reality on the subject. As I listened to and enjoyed most of the songs from DC5, I came away with feeling Guitar Historian was right; you cannot take away from these great songs, or the impact that had at the time! Kudos on a great presentation.
Thanks so very much for this super video, as with many others I grew up with the sound of the DC5 and absolutely loved it and could not wait for the next "single" to be released. What a fantastic story this is, who would have thought all this went on behind the scenes of one of our fave groups at the time. RIP to the fantastic guys from the band we have lost, and at least we can still hear them at their very best!
Thanks for this honest and frank examination of the DC5; their induction into the R&R HOF revealed that institution for the charade that it is. If the DC5 deserve induction, then so do the Turtles, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and of course, The Monkees.
@@Mister_Pedantic Shameful? Tom Hanks' speech at the DC5 induction was positive and uplifting. Dave Clark thanked Hanks, and said it was an honor to be introduced by such a distinguished actor. Did you even see the speech?
The DC5 were a great band, and they deserve their place in the Hall of Fame. Mike was one of the best rock singers ever. Dave himself has issues, but it seems possible, if not likely, that there never would have been a DC5 and all those great songs without him at the helm, and that might be why the band members are reluctant to speak ill of him publicly.
I was in a band that opened for one of their shows back in the '60s. It was the only time that I have ever been asked before a show if we were doing a song by their group. It seems rare that an opening group would do that, but it's still the only time I had been asked. That said, I thought their show was well executed. The sound was well balanced and they had these scarves that magically changed colors. We later opened for Herman's Hermits and they seemed to have been unorganized at the time and at the mercy of the promoters. Proper amplifiers, etc. had not been provided and they had to borrow from us in order to perform. I saw them in later years and they were much more organized but I have to say Dave was as in control of their live concerts as he was of their recording.
I saw those shows, too. They sounded great. Dave Clark even did a crazy drum solo where he stood up, walked around the drums and played congas as well--all with a futuristic light show.
I have to think they were a Band. Their Songs are Iconic and they had their own Sound. Mike Smith was the Lead Singer but also a charming man. I was in the Sixth Grade when they had some songs that went toe to toe with the Beatles. I’m Glad All Over I witnessed these two bands from the beginning…No one was as good as the Beatles!!! IMHO I like your channel and presentation! Thanks!!! 😊
I have been a huge fan of the DCF since I first heard "Glad All Over." As a drummer in my own band in the sixties the first question I would get from classmates was: "Can I play Wipe Out and Bits and Pieces?" hahaha I'm a trained drummer so...yes I can. I have to say Ron Ryan, "Because" is one of the great songs of the 60's and you deserve much credit for crafting such a beautiful song! Thank you! Sorry to hear Dave was such a jerk. I always wondered why DCF songs were missing fromstreaming services. Including for a long time..."Because!"
I love the DC5 and started playing/taking lessons on drums back in 1962. I always said that back then by 1970 there were three solos you needed to know -the Safari's Wipe Out Iron Butterfly's Innagadda Divida (sp) and Rare Earth's Get Ready. I actually learned to play Wipe Out with one hand (using my fingers of course, not a stick) for showing off around the office ..lol. Man that was a great era for EVERYTHING!
I used to hate it when as a drummer in high school someone would ask me, "can you play wipeout." Kids were so easily impressed with almost nothing. Ginger Baker was my hero.
FWIW, I saw them as a ten year old in NJ when my older sister took me along to see them play. That was either '65 or '66. Hearing these revelations so many years later is a shock. As a kid growing up in the 60s, I wouldn't have had an inkling about any of this. Really, I'm kind of stunned, but thanks just the same for making and posting this video.
I saw in concert the DC5 at RPI Field House July 25 1965 in Troy N.Y.. They sounded just as good as their recordings. The cost was 5 bucks a ticket. Best damm 5 bucks I've spent in my life.
they were my favorite band when I was 12 years old. I got my first guitar for Christmas that year 1968..in the states the DC5 even had a television show for a brief time. I loved the chord progression for 'Because' but the lyrics were shite. I loved when my band played 'Glad All Over' because it would usually pack the dance floor. I still like those songs. Thanks for sharing.
Mates, I’m certainly glad I read through the comments b4 shedding a thought. First things first,Historian , u packed a great expose into and short and powerful piece. Slightly younger than Ron, I’ve been a musician most of my life. I picked up a guitar when you guys emerged and never regretted it to this very day. Thought I had much less to say , but to Ron , you’ve got a heart bigger than the U.K., God bless u mate. At this point, it’s all yesterday’s papers,and I’m sure that Clark’s been bitten in the ass,with the big bite yet to come. Long life, good health, and more musical inspiration to come. Historian, YOUR THE MAN, subscribed and watchin , Peace, Rocky
@fangirllinda1964 I wanted to say thank you to Guitar Historian for recounting and accurate story of the DC5... Cheers to Ron Ryan for chiming in too.😘🎶😘I’ve read his comments on other sites and it makes me appreciate the music more ! I think this whole time I’ve been a Ron Ryan fan 😀🎶
I saw them perform at the height of their career and they most assuredly WERE a band. They were excellent. It's the music that makes a band, not the backroom business.
@@user-jq2iz9zn4p Good point. Although The Beatles have their own drumming conspiracy, Epstein never played the drums. He just sat back and dictated. DC could have done the same, but his name was upfront and he could play, so ....
I watch them live in concert 1964 in Araneta dome in the Philippines. Sax and Organ bring flair to the band. They were on the top popularity on that era.
What a fascinating video. I'm a Brit brought up on bands from the 60's, but I must admit you threw me a real curved ball there! I did know that Dave Clark had built up a big property empire but was unaware of the fact that he didn't do some of the drumming in the bands many hits? It did somewhat remind me of the control John Foggerty had over CCR and the fact that he too appeared to be a complete control freak. Thanks for a great insight into the band, I've now subscribed to your channel and will see what other videos you have done.
Thank you! But remember Fogerty WROTE all those hits as well, and the band became angry at the money he was getting fir publishing on the side. If you listen to the “Mardi Gras” album you’ll hear what the others songwriting abilities were like… 😂 not too good.
Dave Clark 5 are highly underated...This was a band that was able to survive the under handed record companies of their day, under Dave Clark's tutelage they were able to own their careers, they weren't the Beatles but they were very very talented....
No, DAVE was able to own their career… the rest of the band got nothing and then he sat on the recordings for years, denying them royalties from any future sales.
The first live concert I ever went to was the DC5 - way back in 1967. I'll never forget who they were. But this historical information does give me a lot to think about.
In 1967, a band I was in (The Tombstones) won the Battle of the Bands for South Carolina. One of the perks we got was to be the opening band for the DC5 at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium! I met Dave Clark briefly before he went on stage. He had quite a bit of "pancake makeup" on! We watched the performance from back stage.
In the mid sixties these guys went toe to toe with the Beatles! Great Band Great sound that actually punched you in the face when you played there records, no other band had that sound . 🤩🌎
@@PhilZaza23 Mike Smith was a real talent, no doubt about it. THE DC5 had a couple of good singles ie Catch us if you can, is a 60s classic, but not one credible album! And yes I've heard ALL there 60s studio albums ( I collect records) there weak, to put it politely. So they definitely can NOT be compared to those 4 blokes from Liverpool!
@@essexboy5520 I didn’t compare them to the Beatles I said they went toe to toe with them meaning the Radio hits they had which were many in the early sixties. This was before AOR radio stations! I’m not talking about there albums I’m talking about thereHits. By the way there were No groups that could come close to the Beatles as far as there albums as a whole were concerned and that includes The Stones TheWho , The Kinks or any other British Invasion band! But they were All great Bands in my humble opinion.
I love the Dave Clark Five. The back office stuff does not take away from my enjoyment of the music at all. A few of their hits are right up there with the best of singles of the 60s.
Unlike so many people, I've never idolized or really cared about a band per se. If I like a song, it doesn't matter to me who the artist screwed over, slept with, ate for breakfast, etc... I like the song - period. They (the artist/performer) are just people with imperfections like everybody else. By not putting individuals/groups up on pedestals I'm never disappointed when then fall off because in the end I will still have a song that I like to listen to.
This was quite good! Did not know the "background check" on one of my better liked bands of the 1960's. Their hits on the charts are easily identified with the "Clark sound"...(or, was that two or three others who made that D.C. sound notable?) Anyway...I still like to hear their classic hits. And...Dave Clark was a determined business guy in the pop/rock scene.
Fascinating video. I loved those songs and first heard them as a kid in the mid 60's after my older brother brought home a DC5 album. As you noted, they virtually disappeared after that. It's amazing he found the people to pull off what he did. It seems like he was like many band "managers" of the day, except he was in the band and just had secure "hired guns" to make it work. Aside from Clark, the musicians and songs were great. Too bad about how they came about. On a side note, looking at Clark in recent years - he could easily have played a Klingon from Star Trek had he looked like that in the 60's.😆
After watching a 3-part series on The Turtles on RUclips and reading Tommy James book, "Me, the Music, and the Mob", there were financial pitfalls that consumed financial gains of rock bands. Most bands were all about the music first and business second; sounds like Dave Clark had his priorities together in understanding that a business head is critical to maintaining profitability. However, depriving bandmates of royalties is a sad footnote to this legacy.
Not quite. It's one thing to be financially savvy, it's another thing to lie and cheat your band mates. And true musicians do put the music first. I've been around too many people who played music primarily for money and it's no fun. Money should be second.
They played in their live performances and no lip sync. Kinda silly to think that was possible. My dad was there as he was one of their pilots on the 1st American tour. They all had a blast. I remember the speculations about this whole musical “trend” would fade away. Who knew?
When I was very little in the 1960s my half brother was 12 years older than me and when he graduated high school and left for college I ended up with his 8 or 10 LP albums. One of my favorite was the Beach boys shut down volume 2 which I played constantly as a very young age, LOL. My second equally favorite album was the Dave Clark Five Greatest Hits.
Fantastic review! I had the DC5 up there with the Beatles and Stones. Dave was the 'Drummer' who got me into drumming with his aggressive sound! Loved it and still do! Over the years, I've heard a lot of the points you brought up in the video. It's a shame Dave held the tunes back from comp albums over the years as he probably would have been on all the pop rock ones all the time. Can't figure out why the reluctance for that? Having the DC5 tunes out in the marketplace would have influenced young musicians all over the World, in the 70's, 80's, 90's. Such a shame. Thanks for the post!!!
I remember a friend of mine, his mother, driving us to see the movie “Having a Wild Weekend”. Both of us were just shy of our 16th birthday that June 1965 so we were not driving. All I remember most, for some reason, as we passed a Pontiac on the street. It hood was up and the engine had overheated. I don’t remember much about the actual movie except it seem rather non-consequential. I like to help a lot better a couple of months later. This was in Oklahoma City. I now live in Southern California. I may go rent that movie at the last movie rental store I know of, Cinefile.
I saw the DC5 at “Divine’s Ballroom”, in Milwaukee on their first tour. They were an amazingly powerful band. Dave took a drum solo on Link Rays “Rumble” to open the show. It was a fab show!
Somebody, somewhere must have a decent live recording of them besides those semi live recordings on Ed Sullivan. The only one I know of is “Nineteen Days” at a royal performance. RUclips has it.
no he didn't, the Divine concert only lasted 12 minutes. They opened with Peter Gunn, then Do You Love me, Money ,Glad All Over. It was half way through the next number "Bits and Pieces" that the concert was stopped due to overcrowding and numerous people being hurt. Most folks I've interviewed who were there said they couldn't hear anything for the crowd noise
@TheRealJukebox I bought the Star Club album back in 1977 when it was released. Regardless of the fidelity, it's actually one of my favorite albums because of the whole atmosphere and the historical aspects of it.
@@artiewithers6980 What part of the appearances on Ed Sullivan were live? Certainly not the singing, not with the microphones a foot or more away from the actors' faces. I remember the time they tried to perform Any Way You Want It live on Sullivan, with cables running across the floor for effect. It was a dreadful performance.
Adrian Kerridge,in his wonderful book "Tape's Rolling-Take One",the DC5's recording engineer on all their early songs from early to later mid 60s in his book, has stated emphatically that Dave Clark indeed played the drums on all his recordings. He recalls getting a call from someone at the Daily Mirror asking the same thing(in fact they were dead sure he didn't play them),and Adrian was abrupt but to the point that yes Dave did play the drums and never to call him back again.Shortly after the DC5s press agent Leslie Perrin called in several top names from the music press and newspaper editors and they re-recorded Do You Love me,Glass All Over and Bits and pieces which included overdubs and the four track mixing.Dave himself in the book also added that that all day session "killed the rumour completely,but now 40-50 years on,you get these people that weren't even born that read these rumours". And that's all they are. There are alot of unfounded canards associated with the DC5 and I for one am sick to death of hearing them...even this far into the future.
I was more a DC5 fan than a Beatles fan in the mid 60's. I always say that the DC5 were the genesis of the genre known as Metal. Listen to "Any Way You Want It" and "I Know You" especially and you can see my point. That driving, hard rock wave was unknown in 60's Rock n Roll, but the DC5 kept at it. That and Peyton's underlying sax lines really propelled the sound. Thank you, Ron, for your contributions to getting such wonderful music started. And thank you Guitar Historian for reporting these events which I had never known until today which is 58 years after I first heard the DC5. I never understood why there are no live videos of the DC5. Now I know why. I do have a live recording of "Glad All Over" and it sounds horrible.
Whoa! That's a blast from the past, and a dark story of a band I recall from my youth, but not one whose music I ever followed. Now I know... the rest of the story.
I AM IMPRESSED AT THE DETAILS OF THE BAND ...I ENJOYED YOUR NARRATION.... I THOUGHT THIS WAS A VERY WELL PRESENTED DOCUMENTARY. IM A HUGE FAN OF MUSIC IM ONLY CONCERNED WITH THE FINAL SOUND....HOW IT WAS PRODUCED IS IRRELEVANT.... MULTI TRACKING AND ALL OF THE ELECTRONIC TRIX USED IN THE STUDIO BY BRIAN WILSON OR PETE TOWNSON....
My favorite song by them was Try Too Hard. It was very different from their characteristic sound (piano instead of organ for example). Does anyone have any info or stories about how that came about?
Thanks for the "Examination" of the DC5! So Amazing! Ron Ryan was indeed the founding member of the sound of The Dave Clark Five! Great information on how Ron and Mike Smith wrote together, actually "re-piecing" Ron's song ideas. It's shown how Ron has great respect for DC5 and turns down what could really be a total "shake-up" of the mystique history of the band, but did he receive writing royalties that he should have received.? Also thanks for that "Expose" on Dave Clark's unusual "Mime" drumming, and other "strange" control of the band ways. Wow! I was 11 when I first heard the DC5 in 1964. And still today enjoy their music. They were one of the bands that dominated not only the music charts but also the teen magazines of the 60's. 16 magazine always seemed to have a "Visit to Dave Clark's home," or "Lenny's," etc. Once heard who could forget the beautiful lyrics and melody of "Because," or the rockers like "Glad All Over," or Bits and Pieces."! Or Mike singing "I Like It Like That." My pre-teen years were memories of the hits of the DC5, the Beatles, the "British Invasion" bands, and great early 60's AM radio songs, But no other sound captured anything close to the The Dave Clark Five! Their movie, "Catch Us If You Can," (Named after their hit) is also a lot of fun (Seen it on AMC a while ago). And yes, nothing like Mike Smith's voice on a song. ✝❤🪦🙏
One of my friends was the guitarist in Gene Vincent's British Blue Caps. When Gene was unable to play, they were sent out as the Roof Raisers by Gene's manager- the infamous Don Arden. Anyway, he played some gigs supporting Dave Clark with this band. He said Dave was a really good and guy and that they were a fine band- but Mike Smith was the musical cornerstone. Interestingly, my friend played Ready, Steady, Go! in 1966 when he was Johnny Hallyday's guitarist and wonders if Dave Clark has that show in his vault- as he would love to see it. The Small Faces were on the same gig- and a few years back he played Kenney Jones's polo club and Kenney remembered him from all those years back!
Lenny Davidson lives nearby in my small town here in Cambridgeshire. I would never knock his door, but have always hoped I might see him out and about around the town. In 20 years of me being here, this has never happened, and I guess as time goes by it is less and less likely to happen, being as he is coming up to 80 years old.
sad mike passed before getting into the HOF, Dave and others were making special arrangements to fly him to NYC when he passed, at least he knew he was a hall of famer 🙏
Nice piece Guitar Historian. I would add that many of the British Invasion bands indeed used session musicians, including the Beatles first album which featured session drummer Andy White (Ringo did not play at all). The Herman's Hermits also used session musicians, including Jimmy Page and other future members of Led Zeppelin. The list of British Invasion bands (and quite frankly almost all of the top American bands in the mid-60's used the Wrecking Crew) who used session musicians is quite long. The Rollings Stones and the Kinks used session musicians on many records, including of course the great Nicky Hopkins on keyboards. The Kinks "You Really Got Me" features a session drummer. The Who used Jimmy Page as well on their early records. So that alone is not a reason to minimize the DC5 as a "real" band. They were a real band. Having a ghost songwriter does not negate that. Many British bands didn't even write a single song (e.g. Herman's Hermits). There has not been a suggestion by those who saw them live that they couldn't play well. Similarly, the Association used almost entirely session musicians in the studio, but they were quite capable of playing live (e.g., Monterey Pop Festival). With that being said, I question the DC5's inclusion into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mostly because they were not quite groundbreaking as writers or musically. While some musicians were influenced by them, few acts over the last several decades cite the DC5 as an influence the way they cite the Kinks, Stones, Beatles, Zombies, and others; some drummers cite Dave Clark's style as an influence, including Bruce Springsteen's drummer Max Weinberg. Would I put the DC5 in the Hall of Fame over the Zombies or neglected acts such as Deep Purple? Absolutely not. Popularity alone is not enough. But the DC5 were enjoyable, with Mike Smith having a fantastic powerful voice. They were part of the sound and culture of the early mid-60's and the British Invasion, a magical period indeed. For that reason alone, the DC5 should be appreciated.
Ringo played on all of The Beatles first album "Please Please Me" here in the UK. which was recorded in one day. There was a session drummer brought in by George Martin for the first single "Love Me Do" as he didn't rate Pete Best (the original drummer) when The Beatles auditioned. Even then Ringo played on the album version. You need to get your facts straight if you are going make these statements. I can't comment on the US band as I'm not so familiar with them.
@@rogerosullivan1905 Not quite right. Ringo did not play on the "Love Me Do" hit record or their next single "Please Please Me". He did record the former song but George Martin was not satisfied with his drumming and brought in Andy White. Pete Best did the audition tape but was not replaced by a session musician as he never played on the official releases. A 2015 Rolling Stone Magazine article and obituary for Andy White clarifies it: "Andy White, the Scotland-born session musician who played drums on the Beatles‘ debut single “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You,” passed away Monday in New Jersey after suffering a massive stroke. He was 85...White made his mark on music history by serving as drummer on the Beatles’ first single. “Love Me Do” was initially recorded during the group’s EMI audition in June 1962 with Pete Best on drums. Three months later, after the Beatles signed their contract, new drummer Ringo Starr performed on the song during a September 4th, 1962 session, but producer George Martin was unhappy with the results. A veteran session drummer, White was then called in to play drums during the September 11th session at EMI Studios at Abbey Road." In fact, you can find interviews here on youtube with George Martin saying that Ringo never forgave him for replacing him on those releases. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/andy-white-beatles-love-me-do-drummer-dead-at-85-56676/
@Sutton Camera Club I agree with most of what you have said, though it seems from many interviews and documents that "Love Me Do" was Andy White. There are multiple versions yes. I am an aficionado of Beatles recordings as well and recognize that people's accounts of what was used and who becomes murky. This has also been seen with the Wrecking Crew and various personages saying it was them on certain recordings (e.g. Carol Kaye on Bass for some Motown Records). But you are correct to point out that I mistyped recording the whole first album. That was a mistype as I wrote it in one quick breadth. Of course, no one is going to put the DC5 or Herman's Hermits as a musical phenomenon on the Beatles level (nor would persons in those groups), though both of these latter groups had talented personages (e.g. Peter Noon is a spectacular entertainer if you have ever seen him live; Mike Smith was as strong a rock and roll vocalist as any in the British Invasion). Of course great musical accomplishments have little to do with people having favorite bands and music that resonates with them. Both DC5 and HH could lay claim to competing with the Beatles in terms of popularity and sales during the first wave (e.g. Herman's Hermits outsold the Beatles briefly and were names top singles band by Billboard with Beatles No. 2 in 1965; DC5 also were neck and neck in the beginning and appeared the most on Ed Sullivan). And as an aside, it should be noted that most of the American 60's bands of that era did not play in the studio at all, instead using the Wrecking Crew as you may know. Even the entire Byrds first album was session musicians, except Roger McGuinn was on 12-string electric. Turtles, Association, Box Tops, Mamas and Papas, Monkees, Beach Boys, Grass Roots, etc...(list goes on and on) used all session musicians in the studio minus the lead vocals. These bands could play live though. The early British bands like the Stones, Kinks, Beatles, Yardbirds, and so on played themselves with occasional assistance from session musicians on certain instruments (drums, harpsichord, horn, for example). That is why US bands sounded so professional and the British bands sounded more amateurish. But kids picked up on that eventually, especially after the Monkees got outed and Hendrix appeared on the scene and there was a move towards musicianship and individuality.
@@ClearMindedOne It’s nice to hear from a fellow Beatles aficionada! I think we agree on most things to do with The Beatles. As far as session musicians go the record companies / producer probably insisted because they wanted a quick turnaround in the studio. A lot of bands new to the studio would take too much time up. The Byrds are a good example of a band that went on to play their own instruments on later albums. Some of the more commercial bands just kept on using session players. The live concerts usually showed up the bands that struggled as musicians. Back in the sixties when I was going to concerts I was fortunate to see Cream (my favourite Rock band), The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Stones, The Who, Traffic, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, Kinks etc and these bands could really play great stuff on stage. Some of the more commercial “Pop” bands were limited. But as you say music is a personal taste and everyone has their own individual likes. There are great memories from the whole era.
@@ClearMindedOnethe byrds played on the songs on their first album. The exception was the single of tambourine man. Check johnny rogans biography with session info. Mcguinn played on tambourine man though.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
I am Ron Ryan, my brother as stated in the video was the guitarist in one of the DC5 lineups. I wrote (on my own, I never write with other writers), some of the Bands early songs such as 'Doo Dah, Mulberry Bush, That's what I said, Can I trust you, All of the time, and some of the hits like Bit's and pieces, Because, Thinking of you baby, Anyway you want it. The agreement I had with Dave Clark was 50% of my own songs and 50% of the records 'mechanicals', (what the record sold for). Dave wanted to stop me having my name on the songs because he wanted him and Mike Smith to be seen as the Bands John Lennon and Paul Mccartney, I did not like the idea but as I was despirate at the time and had not had any of the promised money I reluctantly agreed when Dave said 'you know you can trust me Ron'. He then went back on the agreemnt and I ended up with peanuts, but a few friends who were songwriters knew my story and when Dave Clark aproached them trying to do business regarding their songs (like Ray Davies) they were forwarned and steered clear of him, so it did help other song writers.
It makes me think the DC5 could have had so much more fame and longevity if Dave had been less I'll say ruthless. It seems to me the creativity of the members and writers weren't respected or paid accordingly. No wonder they left, think of the heights they could have reached. I wish you would have been paid and given the credit that you deserved,
Hello, Ron! I was hoping you’d catch this video!
Thank you for corroborating what I researched it really helps a lot. My purpose was to try and shed some light on you and Mike as the writers of many of the early hits since the band is in the HOF, and I know that there are some “perks” that come along with that, such as autograph sessions and panels at music conventions.
I will never understand why for some people “all the money in the world” is never enough. Dave had to have it all but didn’t see that keeping you and Mike happier probably would’ve meant more longevity and success for the band.
But I guess it’s all in the past. All we can do now is try to add your story to the tapestry. I hope I’ve done that. Thanks for checking in, Ron!
@@TheGuitarHistorian Hello and thanks for your kind words. It's great that there are some people like you around who are 'truth seekers'. I still find it hard to believe even after all these years that after all the help I gave to Dave Clark who at one time I counted as a friend he would turn out to be so greedy, I was willing to give him 50% of my songs (what other song writer would do that?) because we were friends and in the end 50% was not enough for him.
Also by saying that unless I let him and Mike Smith put their names to my songs so that he could appear to the DC5 fans as the Bands writers I would not get my 50% (which by the way I never got) he robbed me of having my name on million selling songs which would have helped my song writing career when the Band disbanded.
Still I don't hate Dave Clark, people find it strange when I say that, but hate is a very negative thing, and it can consume the hater, but in fact I pity him, OK he made a fortune, and made it on other peoples talents, but what did it cost him in human terms??? I always say 'a person's life is written on their face' and if you look at recent photo's of Dave Clark it's all there to see, all the greed, it's sad to see.
Once again thanks for your kind words, time and effort, and hours of research, I thank you and I wish you well.
Hello Ron, nice to hear from you again. I'm not sure if you would remember me but we were having a long conversation on RUclips a while back. You were sending me links to some of your songs, which I really enjoyed. I'm glad to see you on here to confirm some of the reality from back then. I'm also very grateful for this upload. Let the truth prevail!
@@magneto7930 Hello!! I hope you are well.
Glad you like my newer songs. There is a Band in Yorkshire called 'All you need is drums' who are working on an album of my new songs, I have heard a few rough cuts and it's going very well indeed!!
Mike Smith was definitely the talent of the band. One of the greatest voices ever!
No other singer (even on this side of the Pond) could match the enthusiasm of his singing voice.
I love that they gave the Beatles a run for the money for a short time. I loved the SAX!
All I know is that their music STILL makes me happy when I hear it.
Me too! 😉
And me.
I mean how can you hear, Glad All Over, and not bop along,and smile?
@@normallen3457 AND REALLY, THATS ALL THAT MATTERS. PLAY ON!
As a 70 year old all I can say is that I am stunned. What a great narrative and explanation of The DC 5. I'm somewhat heartbroken!!!!
Yea Me Too..As A 71 year old , After All Those Years, I Still Have The First Two Mono Albums With Clark's Name On Most of the Tracks! But There's One Song On Session with The Dave Clark Five ( first Album) Called On Broadway , A Real Tribute to Mike Smith..👍
I was born in 1952. I would love to love these presentations, but the super-rushed delivery takes any joy OUT of my experience. You are too close to the mic, and why is the hardware so prominent? Yes, I have roaring Tinitus, having been the sound roadie for the Association in 1975, followed by 30 years in recording studios where producers always wanted the monitors up too loud. (Everything sounds great up loud, but that why Aurotones were invented). I truly wish I could partake of your presentations . . .
I'm 67. Heartbroken is the right word. I had their autographs framed and hanging on my wall. After I heard the real story, I took the autographs down. I no longer look at them.
@@ronsmith5573 Totally understand. But the contribution of the music still stands. Behind the scenes of the glamor people are people of good and evil. May we find the good and praise it.
SAME HERE! 😢 😮 😢 😮
Without Mike Smith Dave was a nothing I have followed this band and Mike Smith till his untimely passing....I grew up with their music on my little record player every night I am now in my 70's and still listen to them....I miss your fantastic voice Mike❤
Agree about Mike Smith. My family saw them in concert in 65 in Virginia Beach, at least I thought they were playing and singing. Not so sure if what I heard was just a recording. Anyway they did have many great songs.
Mike was a good singer but I think you underestimate Dave Clark.
He was one of the first people to buck the system by owning the rights to his own music. While the five person group was a great combination, Dave would have been successful with whatever group he put together.
@@thethinktank-y9p not in my opinion.....he could not sing... nor were his drumming skills very good....maybe he could have been their manager.
@@katebrownlee56 that's your opinion and you're entitled to it.
My opinion is that he was one of the better drummers of that time and Mike Smith was a good singer but no Paul McCartney or Mick Jagger.
Have you seen the documentary on the Dave Clark Five? In it, they say he was a musical and business genius accomplishing things before even the Beatles.
@@thethinktank-y9p mick jagger sounds like a screeching owl..McCartney smooth and soothing Mike Smith raspy and strong ....Saw them in concert 7 x Dave Clark mediocre ....
I love the DC5 and Mike Smith had one of the greatest rock and roll voices of all time!
think it was the Best one
Dave Clark was so lucky to have one of the best and one of the most recognizable voices of that time Mike Smith. It should have been the Mike Smith Five
Dave wanted to be the central focus but I always zeroed in on Mike Smith. This video was very enlightening.
I was in the music buiness[ country ] side for forty years until I retired in my hometown NASHVILLE, I found that most bands or single singers will do anything to get a record deal and the producers and other music bigwigs know it, Some of the women singers had to do what is called SPREAD EM, and male singers had to give half of the money they made to the producers and the singers only got a little if it was a hit, But WAYLON, WILLIE, BOBBY BEAR, GEORGE JONES, DAVID ALLEN COE, fought the bigwigs until it changed it, MERLE HAGGARD, HANK JR, are big names and have huge fanbases and have made some good records and are rich and both in my opinion are two of the biggest bull- shiters in NASHVILLE when HANK JR. would hold an outside concert in NASHVILLE he would pretend to be drinking JACK DANIELS BUT IT WAS TEA and he would instigate a fight between boys from KNOXVILLE AND NASHVILLE BOYS while he is safely on stage with bodyguards around him, It's all about the money, a few years ago they made a movie about HANK GARLAND who was one of the top guitar pickers and the tragedy he was involved it,that movie shows hot dirty the Nashville music side is,
I always call them The Mike Smith Five too! Mike was a great talent…,.
I think Dave was probably a bully. He claimed for publicity purposes (to appeal to kids) that he was three years younger than he actually was/is. So, he manipulated (in my opinion) the younger members of the group. Plus, he was a fitness freak, and perhaps that gave him an added edge; older and stronger.
We all thought that as well growing up in the 60's..
Nicely done. I respectfully submit that the real soul of the band is/was Mike Smith. More to come, I hope!
I knew Mike very well, and I agree with what you say to a point, what I would add is don't overlook the fine work Len' and Den' did in the Band. They were both very good song writers and singers and were a big part in the Bands success.
@@ronvonryan Touché
@@CliffBoothe Shall we call it a draw Cliff LOL.
@@ronvonryan cream rises to the top and it is heartwarming to finally hear/read these treasured stories. Many thanks for opening up!
@@CliffBoothe The thanks should also go to 'truth seekers' like 'The Guitar Historian' for his hard work, time, and effort seeking the truth.
I had the privilege to meet Mike Smith back at the beginning of the 80s, and he and I planned for him to produce a single for the band I was involved with, literally running through the figures on a beermat in the Coopers Arms, a pub off London's Kings Road. Things never proceeded as the band split not long after. A great guy, supremely talented, sadly missed.....
oh lucky you
All I know is the DC5 had a most terrific blending of voices, the 1st & 2nd voices giving out a really great blend. At 75 yrs old, I stand by what I always claimed, they were better than the Beatles! Nevermind the facts here mentioned, past is past, Dave led the group & they made it, so why bring the past up? I loved them as a group! ❤❤❤
When I was about five years old my 13 year old brother and I we're put on a plane in Missoula Montana to go to Seattle to see our father. My brother recognized the group of boys and went and hung out with them in the aisle. Of course I had to go see what the excitement was about. They were so nice to me. It was a big deal for my brother to meet the Dave Clark Five. I think they gave him a ticket to see the concert. He remembered that till his dying day may he rest in peace
oh that is such a bitter sweet story share - thank you
Guess Mr Clark's invoice for that ticket got lost in the post ....
@@Krzyszczynski I can see that you are against the DC5, so nothing they did is revelent . I like the band regardless of who played on the records and it was Dave's conception of what they wore , recorded or otherwise. He was the manager and retained all rights to the songs. No one knows what the members were paid but they all seemed to do very well after the band broke up, except Mike. He made a few bad investments in the music business and lost quite a lot of money. But he wasn't poverty stricken.
I Thank You for yet another exceptionally insightful video. I read so many heartfelt responses here that I’ll simply say I was born (1949) and raised in Central California and the Dave Clark Five were, and are, a sound of their own. Some of us old farts treasure their music.
Mike Smith was a huge talent
He sure was.. he was the best and i think underrated at times. Love you Mike
Mike Smith was definitely the most talented member and had the most stage presence
Smith was the group, Clark was a joke, and the fact that he was not even the drummer on their recorded songs says it all.
@@raymondpierotti8414 I knew that there were whispers about DC5 problems and Dave Clark was dodgy throughout his life, that was well known, but sad that Mike Smith didn't reap the rewards he deserved. great singer, presence, and keyboards...RIP Mike Smith....
I am 75 and the DC5 have always been my favorite Britiish group Still enjoy them today And they have never 'been lost" to me.
The Dave Clark Five a lost band? NOPE! I agree with you.
So disappointed…
I played in a band with Lenny Davidson in the 1980's and can confirm that he is a very accomplished guitarist and also a really nice guy. However he was always tight lipped about the DC5 and never mentioned his past, which is a shame as he should be proud of what he achieved, even if he was ripped off by Dave Clark. Lenny went on to study classical guitar and I wish him all the best, we would all love to have experienced a tenth of what he achieved.
I have heard and you can ask Ron Ryan that Dave made a rule NO TALKING about him or the group or get sued
You have to figure DC had them sign nondisclosure agreements with egregious penalties if they violated them.
@@jennifursun3303 Dave exhibits paranoid sociopathic behaviour. He obviously cared for no one but Dave. I mean, he literally ripped off his friends and bandmates while they were together. We aren't exactly looking at Carl Palmer or Ginger Baker. More like Tom Parker mixed with an okay drummer.
Davidson was, indeed, a very talented guitarist.
Len has whispered a few things here and there. And that is all anyone can say until...
Let us not forget Mike Smith was also an awesome keyboard player !
and ohoh what a voice
@@jennifursun3303 That is why his nickname was Boomer. He had an amazing voice on the soft ballads also. One of the best!
I wondered why he was called Mike “Boomer” Smith. Not for being a baby boomer, then.
He also played amazing classical music.
@@Lesley-g1u Yes he did!
I miss Mike Smith and his "Because". I sang "Because" on several stages when I was young playing bass guitar. Thanks for this great memory of Dave Clark Five.
Dave is a very sad man. He knows what he did and who he did it too. He could've spared 10 Million Pounds for Mike and thank you Guitar Historian for shedding light on the legacy on the whole group.
Dave Clark was a narcissistic sociopath who only ever cared about his own interests. It is heartbreaking what he did to those 4 hard-working guys especially Mike Smith.
I LOVE the DC5 music. I simply give the primary credit to Mike Smith. In my mind, it's the Mike Smith 5.
Dave Clark is now a sad old man that not many people like including Elton John. With all his millions he never lifted a finger to help Mike Smith financially after his accident when he could have well afforded it, Mikes wife Charlie had to plead even to get him a new pair of glasses.
Mike Smith really deserves more recognition. Truly one of rock's great voices
Helped out by an echo chamber and reverb.
@@howie9751 who wasn't
Seemed like DC5’s McCartney.
@@TheCheermeister Had the voice couldn't write like him
I prefer John Lennon. Sue me.
I saw The Dave Clark 5 three times during the 60's. They played excellently. I saw Mike Smith twice with his new band in 2004 just before his horrible accident at his home. Fortunately, I met him at his last concert here in Sacramento and got his autograph on two albums. Mike smith is one of my all-time favorite singers and the DC5 music is played by me regularly. Great video. I learned some more details, thanks.
He had one of the best raw rock voices, sang with such emotion and passion....him standing by that key board, standing tall and blasting out pure bubble gum clasics.
accident? I was just expressing my concern for a band mates malfeasance above, Ron Ryan. Maybe some incidental pay back leveling of the playing field - such a dark side to the many those, who maybe reaped a better share of what might otherwise been a more rightful, Mutual distribution.
@@thhomasmarks 🤔 Confused on your comment on Mikes eventual, life ending, accident.
@@thhomasmarks dude died in that.
Mike Smith was one of the top 5 rock singers of all time. Shame he has been forgotten. DC5 was my favorite early band. Still love them.
No way in the top 5 but still amazing.. The top 10 would be a hell of a argument alone and he would not make that either.
Ron thank you for the great songs you wrote! Some of my favs… sorry to hear about the Business side .
Yes me too . Found out AFTER the Fact that Mike did some solo concerts but I never knew about them or I would have gone.
I met Denis Payton (saxophone) in 1996 running his own estate agency. Lovely guy. Admitted that he'd had lots of offers to reform or play as "EX-DC5" but had refused, only doing the "odd charity gig". I got the impression that they had all signed what we now call a "non disclosure agreement" (or similar) that prevented them from appearing live as a member of the DC5 or any tribute thereof.
@John Cottet
Yeah when Mike toured with his own band in 2003there was some fallout about using the DC5 name when advertising the concerts.The venues must have gotten around it because I’ve seen videos with banners mentioning the DC5 name.
Hard to believe DC would still want to cash in on his former bandmates🤦🏻♀️
Saw them live, yes, they were a great band. Live show was in Miami Convention Center. Excellent musicians, pro group, delivered exciting show, perfection in delivery and sound!
It seems that Dave Clark made millions and the other band members got screwed. Dave Clark hit the jackpot when Mike Smith became the lead singer. The drumming did not make the band, it was Mike Smith's singing and great voice. The band should have been called the Mike Smith Five.
Dave Clark did not even drum on DC5 records. Nor did he write the songs he claimed credit for. He did produce the records.
I absolutely agree. But at the Shindig the stupid camera never focused on Mike. That time.. 1964, I was in high school in Seoul, South Korea watching it on US military broadcasting AFKN-TV channel 2.
The “ Mike Smith One “ would have been the reality . Listen to the other instruments. Yes they sound decent on the recordings, but that was not the DC 5 playing or singing with the exception of Mike Smith …
Agree ! Mike Smith was the sound of the DC Five.
The other were literally employees of DC. They should never have excepted the situation. Ed
Ron Ryan is a great songwriter and should get the credit he rightfully deserves.
You only have his word he actually wrote anything. A real songwriter would have insisted his name be on an agreement somewhere..
@@wesleycook7687 Maybe. But one way or another, assumptions or theories leave one with a negative or positive. I choose the positive. It just seems so much better for a great song(s) that has impacted so many people over the many years of it's release.
Great music. I never forgot them .😊 I saw mike smith live. He was great. Rip
This is absolutely fantastic, thank you for helping to get the facts out there!
I interviewed Ron Ryan for my podcast, That 60s Recording Podcast, and have recorded an album (using Bobby Graham’s personal Alice 828 mixing desk!) of unreleased material from Ron which is forthcoming.
He deserves far more recognition for his contribution. Thank you again for your fantastic channel!
Mike Smith was one of the best rock singers I ever heard. Unbelievably good. Aggressive & authoritative. A commanding tone.
And he did sing some wonderful rock songs. "Glad All Over," "Bits and Pieces," & "Try Too Hard," along with lesser-known monsters "No Time To Lose," "I Know You," "Can't You See That She's Mine," "Anyway You Want It." Damn...a great repertoire & those are just a few songs.
They made the most appearances of any British rock band on The Ed Sullivan Show -- 18.
Vocally -- Mike Smith as a rock singer is right up there without a doubt -- with Elvis, Jim Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Plant, Lennon & McCartney, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mick Jagger, Roger Daltry & anyone else you can think of that was original & powerful. Smith was terrific. I miss him.
Mike Smith & Righteous Brother Bobby Hatfield had great vocals but didn't score in their respective solo efforts. I think it was poor material & poor producing. Someone like Bobby Darin or Dion DiMucci should've produced them -- they understood the music these men were trying to make. (Just an opinion).
I think he was even BETTER than most of the guys you mentioned.
@@mikehunt-fx7sf - I understand completely.
Clever name mike. I like it. Mine used to be Dick Hertz.
@@lastrada52 That is just too funny ! Good one !! LOL !!
agree about Mikes voice
The DC5 are not alone ....Bobby Graham played on many hits that he doesn’t appear on the sleeve. All of the early Kinks is actually Graham on drums. He’s also the session drummer on early Them records. Graham played on thousands of records .He’s the British equivalent of Hal Blaine.
Bobby Graham played on the Kinks first four UK singles and on 75% of The Kinks' debut album. Clem Cattini played on almost all of the group's 3rd album"The Kink Kontroversy" (excepting "Milk Cow Blues" & "Ring The Bells" which feature Mick Avory)
Bobby had an insanely powerful style in any setting but would definitely stick to the stomping template set forth by DC at their sessions. His fills on "It Don't Feel Good" from the Try Too Hard LP are positively explosive!!
Due to a very old friend of mine playing with Bobby Graham on various projects i got to chat with him on many occasions. He was happy to talk about the old days and who he had recorded with. But as his pals said to me it would be a much shorter conversation if i just asked him who he had not recorded with.
Bobby Graham actually came up with that thundering backbeat on the drums that Clark took credit for. He also screwed several songwriters.
Another good drummer around at the time ,with Clem Cattini and Bobby Graham was Mick Underwood.I saw him playing once and marvelled at his technique. Chatting with him after he reeled off plenty of names who got the benefit of his services..I think to be employed as a session drummer ,at that time ,in London you had to be excellent at your instrument ,with the ability to read drum music charts as well..( and to be a tad judicious about telling whom you have " ghost " drummed for !)
Hello Guitar Historian, I just wanted to thank you once again for this very good video, lot's of time, energy, and effort went into it and it comes across as a 'labour of love' for the suject.
I have had quite a few people sending me comments after watching your video, and they had some very positive things to say and I have answered them all personally.
Thanks to you and people like you who are 'seekers of truth' the truth about what went on back then is coming to light.
So again thanks, and I wish you well, Ron Ryan.
Thank you again, Ron! So glad I could return some justice to you and your efforts.
@@TheGuitarHistorian And thank you mate, if you lived near me I would take you down my local Village pub and buy you a pint or two!!! Stay safe mate.
I remember dancing to DC5 songs like Bits and Pieces at parties where we smashed the heels of our Beatle Boots into the floor in time with the music.
A very interesting and rather sad video. Sad for the 4 who got shafted. No other word for it.
Thanks - another very well researched and presented story. I had heard of some of what you mentioned - certainly the session drummer for recordings, but I had no idea how much this really was a business project and not a "band". Great work, thanks
I agree with what you say about the writing of this piece Bob, it must have taken much hard work, time, and effort to do researching all the facts.
Here's some more facts, each Band member had to sign a contract to Dave Clark if they wanted to stay in the Band!! And they were paid a set weekly wage regardess of how much the Band was making on tours, live shows, and TV shows. Also it was written in the contract that any song any of the Band members wrote had to have Dave's name on as 'co writer' so that Dave could take 50% of each songs royalties.
@@ronvonryan I could say something nasty about Clark...but...it's Sunday
@@BobPerrone Don't say anything nasty about him mate, pity him, he made his fortune from exploting his friends (like me) and his Bandmates, and he has to live with that, so pity him, a very sad indevidual
I suspect that there are many closets full of skeletons throughout the music industry, whether they are band members, managers, record companies, sponsors or other band contacts who act out of manipulation, greed, ego or otherwise. As much as I enjoy the music - and recently was re-introduced to it on RUclips, I have no doubt that the DC5 are certainly not the only band who had been taken to the cleaners. Ron Ryan, I thank you for the works - they will last forever, and that legacy is something nobody can take away from you.
trebblemaker: you made an accurate point: there are many sad stories of musicians tragically ripped off in the music industry, so much it almost seems the norm.
Naive, you certainly aint.
Fascinating story, thank you so much for putting this together.
Amen to that Tom.
I really enjoyed not only the professionalism of this documentary about DC5, but the honest and obviously factual account of how this band was formed, and how it operated. I was pretty surprised, but then again, with the way we have been thoroughly informed about the how and whys, and likening it to the more modern 'pre packaged' group thing, I felt I had gained an acceptance and, a grounding reality on the subject. As I listened to and enjoyed most of the songs from DC5, I came away with feeling Guitar Historian was right; you cannot take away from these great songs, or the impact that had at the time! Kudos on a great presentation.
Thanks so very much for this super video, as with many others I grew up with the sound of the DC5 and absolutely loved it and could not wait for the next "single" to be released.
What a fantastic story this is, who would have thought all this went on behind the scenes of one of our fave groups at the time.
RIP to the fantastic guys from the band we have lost, and at least we can still hear them at their very best!
Thanks for this honest and frank examination of the DC5; their induction into the R&R HOF revealed that institution for the charade that it is. If the DC5 deserve induction, then so do the Turtles, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and of course, The Monkees.
a good case good be made for the Turtles and Paul Revere...
Raiders bassist Phil Volk played on the records. So did lead guitarist Drake Levin.
And The Left Banke.
The speech that Tom Hanks gave at the DC5 induction was shameful. Did he really believe the stuff he said?
@@Mister_Pedantic Shameful? Tom Hanks' speech at the DC5 induction was positive and uplifting. Dave Clark thanked Hanks, and said it was an honor to be introduced by such a distinguished actor. Did you even see the speech?
The DC5 were a great band, and they deserve their place in the Hall of Fame. Mike was one of the best rock singers ever. Dave himself has issues, but it seems possible, if not likely, that there never would have been a DC5 and all those great songs without him at the helm, and that might be why the band members are reluctant to speak ill of him publicly.
I was in a band that opened for one of their shows back in the '60s. It was the only time that I have ever been asked before a show if we were doing a song by their group. It seems rare that an opening group would do that, but it's still the only time I had been asked. That said, I thought their show was well executed. The sound was well balanced and they had these scarves that magically changed colors. We later opened for Herman's Hermits and they seemed to have been unorganized at the time and at the mercy of the promoters. Proper amplifiers, etc. had not been provided and they had to borrow from us in order to perform. I saw them in later years and they were much more organized but I have to say Dave was as in control of their live concerts as he was of their recording.
I saw those shows, too. They sounded great. Dave Clark even did a crazy drum solo where he stood up, walked around the drums and played congas as well--all with a futuristic light show.
Have always liked the music of The DC 5. Have a soft spot in my heart for most if not all of their hits. The music is the music man.
I have to think they were a Band. Their Songs are Iconic and they had their own Sound. Mike Smith was the Lead Singer but also a charming man. I was in the Sixth Grade when they had some songs that went toe to toe with the Beatles. I’m Glad All Over I witnessed these two bands from the beginning…No one was as good as the Beatles!!! IMHO I like your channel and presentation! Thanks!!! 😊
I have been a huge fan of the DCF since I first heard "Glad All Over." As a drummer in my own band in the sixties the first question I would get from classmates was: "Can I play Wipe Out and Bits and Pieces?" hahaha I'm a trained drummer so...yes I can. I have to say Ron Ryan, "Because" is one of the great songs of the 60's and you deserve much credit for crafting such a beautiful song! Thank you! Sorry to hear Dave was such a jerk. I always wondered why DCF songs were missing fromstreaming services. Including for a long time..."Because!"
I love the DC5 and started playing/taking lessons on drums back in 1962. I always said that back then by 1970 there were three solos you needed to know -the Safari's Wipe Out Iron Butterfly's Innagadda Divida (sp) and Rare Earth's Get Ready. I actually learned to play Wipe Out with one hand (using my fingers of course, not a stick) for showing off around the office ..lol. Man that was a great era for EVERYTHING!
I used to hate it when as a drummer in high school someone would ask me, "can you play wipeout." Kids were so easily impressed with almost nothing. Ginger Baker was my hero.
Great stuff!
Always remember hearing a quote as a young musician. Never let the drummer handle the finances!
Jon Hiseman probably missed that...
Dc-5 were a great band.. and vocalist / keyboard player Mike Smith had one of the greatest rock and roll voices ever !
FWIW, I saw them as a ten year old in NJ when my older sister took me along to see them play. That was either '65 or '66. Hearing these revelations so many years later is a shock. As a kid growing up in the 60s, I wouldn't have had an inkling about any of this. Really, I'm kind of stunned, but thanks just the same for making and posting this video.
Great story. I’m shocked they lasted as a group as long as they did. Only thing better than your well researched bit, is your t-shirt! Love it!
I saw in concert the DC5 at RPI Field House July 25 1965 in Troy N.Y.. They sounded just as good as their recordings. The cost was 5 bucks a ticket. Best damm 5 bucks I've spent in my life.
Very interesting documentary of the Dave Clark five, one of my favourite British 60s bands, look fwd to seeing more in this series
This is fantastic work on your part. Your most interesting and valuable video to date. Hope all is well!
they were my favorite band when I was 12 years old. I got my first guitar for Christmas that year 1968..in the states the DC5 even had a television show for a brief time. I loved the chord progression for 'Because' but the lyrics were shite. I loved when my band played 'Glad All Over' because it would usually pack the dance floor. I still like those songs. Thanks for sharing.
Mates, I’m certainly glad I read through the comments b4 shedding a thought. First things first,Historian , u packed a great expose into and short and powerful piece. Slightly younger than Ron, I’ve been a musician most of my life. I picked up a guitar when you guys emerged and never regretted it to this very day. Thought I had much less to say , but to Ron , you’ve got a heart bigger than the U.K., God bless u mate. At this point, it’s all yesterday’s papers,and I’m sure that Clark’s been bitten in the ass,with the big bite yet to come. Long life, good health, and more musical inspiration to come. Historian,
YOUR THE MAN, subscribed and watchin , Peace, Rocky
Thanks Guitar Historian for recounting the DC5 story, even if it’s not all hearts and rosCheers to Ron Ryan for
@fangirllinda1964
I wanted to say thank you to Guitar Historian for recounting and accurate story of the DC5...
Cheers to Ron Ryan for chiming in too.😘🎶😘I’ve read his comments on other sites and it makes me appreciate the music more ! I think this whole time I’ve been a Ron Ryan fan 😀🎶
My Fav song of the 60's is "Because" I remember like it was yesterday I was 7 years old.
I saw them perform at the height of their career and they most assuredly WERE a band. They were excellent. It's the music that makes a band, not the backroom business.
I agree. Just like Brian Epstein was NOT the Beatles. Just the manager.
@@egverlander No one ever said Brian Epstein was the Beatles. He never claimed to write their songs.
@@user-jq2iz9zn4p You completely missed the point. Have another toke.
@@egverlander What point was that? Are you able to tell me?
@@user-jq2iz9zn4p Good point. Although The Beatles have their own drumming conspiracy, Epstein never played the drums. He just sat back and dictated. DC could have done the same, but his name was upfront and he could play, so ....
I watch them live in concert 1964 in Araneta dome in the Philippines. Sax and Organ bring flair to the band. They were on the top popularity on that era.
On one of their LPs I had they covered 'On Broadway'. I loved that song. I always think of the DC5 when I hear other people singing it.
The Drifters did that back in 1963.
What a fascinating video. I'm a Brit brought up on bands from the 60's, but I must admit you threw me a real curved ball there! I did know that Dave Clark had built up a big property empire but was unaware of the fact that he didn't do some of the drumming in the bands many hits? It did somewhat remind me of the control John Foggerty had over CCR and the fact that he too appeared to be a complete control freak. Thanks for a great insight into the band, I've now subscribed to your channel and will see what other videos you have done.
Thank you! But remember Fogerty WROTE all those hits as well, and the band became angry at the money he was getting fir publishing on the side. If you listen to the “Mardi Gras” album you’ll hear what the others songwriting abilities were like… 😂 not too good.
It was enough for me that they just sounded great to a little kid who loved music.
Dave Clark 5 are highly underated...This was a band that was able to survive the under handed record companies of their day, under Dave Clark's tutelage they were able to own their careers, they weren't the Beatles but they were very very talented....
No, DAVE was able to own their career… the rest of the band got nothing and then he sat on the recordings for years, denying them royalties from any future sales.
The first live concert I ever went to was the DC5 - way back in 1967. I'll never forget who they were. But this historical information does give me a lot to think about.
I SAW THEM LIVE ALSO 67 GREENVILLE SC ... MY FIRST CONCERT ! THOSE WERE THE DAYS ....
One of the better presentations I have seen on the internet. Thank you.
As a teen...loved them back then...love them still
When I was a kid I never cared who wrote those great songs. I simply loved them. I felt the same way about the Monkees.
In 1967, a band I was in (The Tombstones) won the Battle of the Bands for South Carolina. One of the perks we got was to be the opening band for the DC5 at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium! I met Dave Clark briefly before he went on stage. He had quite a bit of "pancake makeup" on! We watched the performance from back stage.
In the mid sixties these guys went toe to toe with the Beatles! Great Band Great sound that actually punched you in the face when you played there records, no other band had that sound . 🤩🌎
Toe to toe for about 5 minutes!
@@essexboy5520 More like 4years!
@@PhilZaza23 Mike Smith was a real talent, no doubt about it. THE DC5 had a couple of good singles ie Catch us if you can, is a 60s classic, but not one credible album! And yes I've heard ALL there 60s studio albums ( I collect records) there weak, to put it politely. So they definitely can NOT be compared to those 4 blokes from Liverpool!
@@essexboy5520 I didn’t compare them to the Beatles I said they went toe to toe with them meaning the Radio hits they had which were many in the early sixties. This was before AOR radio stations! I’m not talking about there albums I’m talking about thereHits. By the way there were No groups that could come close to the Beatles as far as there albums as a whole were concerned and that includes The Stones TheWho , The Kinks or any other British Invasion band! But they were All great Bands in my humble opinion.
@@PhilZaza23 Not gonna dissagree with that. 👍🙂
I love the Dave Clark Five. The back office stuff does not take away from my enjoyment of the music at all. A few of their hits are right up there with the best of singles of the 60s.
Has anyone heard the Dave Clark fives 1971 version of Neil Young's "Southern man"? It is quite an extraordinary performance from them.
Unlike so many people, I've never idolized or really cared about a band per se. If I like a song, it doesn't matter to me who the artist screwed over, slept with, ate for breakfast, etc... I like the song - period. They (the artist/performer) are just people with imperfections like everybody else.
By not putting individuals/groups up on pedestals I'm never disappointed when then fall off because in the end I will still have a song that I like to listen to.
This was quite good! Did not know the "background check" on one of my better liked bands of the 1960's. Their hits on the charts are easily identified with the "Clark sound"...(or, was that two or three others who made that D.C. sound notable?)
Anyway...I still like to hear their classic hits. And...Dave Clark was a determined business guy in the pop/rock scene.
Brilliant presentation mate , very informative thanks
Fascinating video. I loved those songs and first heard them as a kid in the mid 60's after my older brother brought home a DC5 album. As you noted, they virtually disappeared after that. It's amazing he found the people to pull off what he did. It seems like he was like many band "managers" of the day, except he was in the band and just had secure "hired guns" to make it work. Aside from Clark, the musicians and songs were great. Too bad about how they came about.
On a side note, looking at Clark in recent years - he could easily have played a Klingon from Star Trek had he looked like that in the 60's.😆
IMO, the DC5's "Try Too Hard" from early 1966 is the band's best song and quite garage-y. Very innovative.
I always loved that one too. Not many people mention it but it is one of the greatest and did quite well on the charts too.
"But we both know what happens to them in the end"
@Count Orlock Yes it was. In the U.S. they had one more high charting song in 1967. Ironically they did much better in the UK in the late 60s.
Try2Hard was my “gateway drug” into the DC5. Nothing else ever rivaled it. It remains their standout.
I totally agree, I bought that in March '66. It bombed here in the UK and I had thought it would make the top three at least. !Great record.
After watching a 3-part series on The Turtles on RUclips and reading Tommy James book, "Me, the Music, and the Mob", there were financial pitfalls that consumed financial gains of rock bands. Most bands were all about the music first and business second; sounds like Dave Clark had his priorities together in understanding that a business head is critical to maintaining profitability. However, depriving bandmates of royalties is a sad footnote to this legacy.
Not quite. It's one thing to be financially savvy, it's another thing to lie and cheat your band mates. And true musicians do put the music first. I've been around too many people who played music primarily for money and it's no fun. Money should be second.
Great history of this band and all its myths and truths. Thanks for posting.
They played in their live performances and no lip sync. Kinda silly to think that was possible. My dad was there as he was one of their pilots on the 1st American tour. They all had a blast. I remember the speculations about this whole musical “trend” would fade away. Who knew?
When I was very little in the 1960s my half brother was 12 years older than me and when he graduated high school and left for college I ended up with his 8 or 10 LP albums. One of my favorite was the Beach boys shut down volume 2 which I played constantly as a very young age, LOL. My second equally favorite album was the Dave Clark Five Greatest Hits.
Fantastic review! I had the DC5 up there with the Beatles and Stones. Dave was the 'Drummer' who got me into drumming with his aggressive sound! Loved it and still do! Over the years, I've heard a lot of the points you brought up in the video. It's a shame Dave held the tunes back from comp albums over the years as he probably would have been on all the pop rock ones all the time. Can't figure out why the reluctance for that? Having the DC5 tunes out in the marketplace would have influenced young musicians all over the World, in the 70's, 80's, 90's. Such a shame. Thanks for the post!!!
I spent a lot of time listening to the DC5 on the radio when I was young. Also remember seeing "Having a Wild Weekend" in my local theater.
I remember a friend of mine, his mother, driving us to see the movie “Having a Wild Weekend”. Both of us were just shy of our 16th birthday that June 1965 so we were not driving.
All I remember most, for some reason, as we passed a Pontiac on the street. It hood was up and the engine had overheated.
I don’t remember much about the actual movie except it seem rather non-consequential. I like to help a lot better a couple of months later.
This was in Oklahoma City.
I now live in Southern California. I may go rent that movie at the last movie rental store I know of, Cinefile.
Not exactly the best movie in the world, but I didn’t care!
i heard these great songs then i found out oh that's dave Clark 5 cool. i like them.
I saw the DC 5 in person perform back in the day ! LOVED them better than the Beatles !
Joined Fan Club & bought all their albums !!
Omg I absolutely LOVE your essays, so well researched and presented EXTREMELY Professional. Bravo brother.
I saw the DC5 at “Divine’s Ballroom”, in Milwaukee on their first tour. They were an amazingly powerful band. Dave took a drum solo on Link Rays “Rumble” to open the show. It was a fab show!
Somebody, somewhere must have a decent live recording of them besides those semi live recordings on Ed Sullivan. The only one I know of is “Nineteen Days” at a royal performance. RUclips has it.
no he didn't, the Divine concert only lasted 12 minutes. They opened with Peter Gunn, then Do You Love me, Money ,Glad All Over. It was half way through the next number "Bits and Pieces" that the concert was stopped due to overcrowding and numerous people being hurt. Most folks I've interviewed who were there said they couldn't hear anything for the crowd noise
@TheRealJukebox I bought the Star Club album back in 1977 when it was released. Regardless of the fidelity, it's actually one of my favorite albums because of the whole atmosphere and the historical aspects of it.
Sorry to contradict you Bjorn
@@artiewithers6980 What part of the appearances on Ed Sullivan were live? Certainly not the singing, not with the microphones a foot or more away from the actors' faces. I remember the time they tried to perform Any Way You Want It live on Sullivan, with cables running across the floor for effect. It was a dreadful performance.
My 1st time listening. This is great ! I'm subscribing !
Adrian Kerridge,in his wonderful book "Tape's Rolling-Take One",the DC5's recording engineer on all their early songs from early to later mid 60s in his book, has stated emphatically that Dave Clark indeed played the drums on all his recordings. He recalls getting a call from someone at the Daily Mirror asking the same thing(in fact they were dead sure he didn't play them),and Adrian was abrupt but to the point that yes Dave did play the drums and never to call him back again.Shortly after the DC5s press agent Leslie Perrin called in several top names from the music press and newspaper editors and they re-recorded Do You Love me,Glass All Over and Bits and pieces which included overdubs and the four track mixing.Dave himself in the book also added that that all day session "killed the rumour completely,but now 40-50 years on,you get these people that weren't even born that read these rumours". And that's all they are.
There are alot of unfounded canards associated with the DC5 and I for one am sick to death of hearing them...even this far into the future.
I was more a DC5 fan than a Beatles fan in the mid 60's. I always say that the DC5 were the genesis of the genre known as Metal. Listen to "Any Way You Want It" and "I Know You" especially and you can see my point. That driving, hard rock wave was unknown in 60's Rock n Roll, but the DC5 kept at it. That and Peyton's underlying sax lines really propelled the sound. Thank you, Ron, for your contributions to getting such wonderful music started. And thank you Guitar Historian for reporting these events which I had never known until today which is 58 years after I first heard the DC5. I never understood why there are no live videos of the DC5. Now I know why. I do have a live recording of "Glad All Over" and it sounds horrible.
I LOVE i know you. I always rhought it should have been an A side single in its own right. Ba da da da bump!
You did it, Jay. I asked if you'd do Dave Clark 5 and you did. Thank you.
According to Adrian Kerridge, who engineered the DC5, in his book "Tape's Rolling, Take One!", Dave Clark did play drums on their records.
And I’m sure that publication was fully vetted by Clark before a word of it was released.
Whoa! That's a blast from the past, and a dark story of a band I recall from my youth, but not one whose music I ever followed. Now I know... the rest of the story.
Love the "Paul Harvey" pause! 😊
I AM IMPRESSED AT THE DETAILS OF THE BAND ...I ENJOYED YOUR NARRATION.... I THOUGHT THIS WAS A VERY WELL PRESENTED DOCUMENTARY. IM A HUGE FAN OF MUSIC IM ONLY CONCERNED WITH THE FINAL SOUND....HOW IT WAS PRODUCED IS IRRELEVANT.... MULTI TRACKING AND ALL OF THE ELECTRONIC TRIX USED IN THE STUDIO BY BRIAN WILSON OR PETE TOWNSON....
My favorite song by them was Try Too Hard. It was very different from their characteristic sound (piano instead of organ for example). Does anyone have any info or stories about how that came about?
Thank you for your video.
Dave Clark Five where a great group of the 60s .With Mike Smith as the lead singer .They where my favourite group I remember buying a Dave Clark shirt
Thanks for the "Examination" of the DC5! So Amazing!
Ron Ryan was indeed the founding member of the sound of
The Dave Clark Five! Great information on how Ron and Mike
Smith wrote together, actually "re-piecing" Ron's song ideas.
It's shown how Ron has great respect for DC5 and turns down
what could really be a total "shake-up" of the mystique history
of the band, but did he receive writing royalties that he should have
received.? Also thanks for that "Expose" on Dave Clark's unusual
"Mime" drumming, and other "strange" control of the band ways.
Wow! I was 11 when I first heard the DC5 in 1964. And still today
enjoy their music. They were one of the bands that dominated
not only the music charts but also the teen magazines of the 60's.
16 magazine always seemed to have a "Visit to Dave Clark's home,"
or "Lenny's," etc. Once heard who could forget the beautiful lyrics and
melody of "Because," or the rockers like "Glad All Over," or Bits and
Pieces."! Or Mike singing "I Like It Like That." My pre-teen years were
memories of the hits of the DC5, the Beatles, the "British Invasion"
bands, and great early 60's AM radio songs, But no other sound captured
anything close to the The Dave Clark Five! Their movie, "Catch Us If You Can,"
(Named after their hit) is also a lot of fun (Seen it on AMC a while ago).
And yes, nothing like Mike Smith's voice on a song. ✝❤🪦🙏
One of my friends was the guitarist in Gene Vincent's British Blue Caps. When Gene was unable to play, they were sent out as the Roof Raisers by Gene's manager- the infamous Don Arden. Anyway, he played some gigs supporting Dave Clark with this band. He said Dave was a really good and guy and that they were a fine band- but Mike Smith was the musical cornerstone. Interestingly, my friend played Ready, Steady, Go! in 1966 when he was Johnny Hallyday's guitarist and wonders if Dave Clark has that show in his vault- as he would love to see it. The Small Faces were on the same gig- and a few years back he played Kenney Jones's polo club and Kenney remembered him from all those years back!
A very interesting and informative video 👍🏽 thanks!
Lenny Davidson lives nearby in my small town here in Cambridgeshire. I would never knock his door, but have always hoped I might see him out and about around the town. In 20 years of me being here, this has never happened, and I guess as time goes by it is less and less likely to happen, being as he is coming up to 80 years old.
The D C 5 is definitely a Band, having said this probably the first to be more corporate about their engagements
sad mike passed before getting into the HOF, Dave and others were making special arrangements to fly him to NYC when he passed, at least he knew he was a hall of famer 🙏
Nice piece Guitar Historian. I would add that many of the British Invasion bands indeed used session musicians, including the Beatles first album which featured session drummer Andy White (Ringo did not play at all). The Herman's Hermits also used session musicians, including Jimmy Page and other future members of Led Zeppelin. The list of British Invasion bands (and quite frankly almost all of the top American bands in the mid-60's used the Wrecking Crew) who used session musicians is quite long. The Rollings Stones and the Kinks used session musicians on many records, including of course the great Nicky Hopkins on keyboards. The Kinks "You Really Got Me" features a session drummer. The Who used Jimmy Page as well on their early records. So that alone is not a reason to minimize the DC5 as a "real" band. They were a real band. Having a ghost songwriter does not negate that. Many British bands didn't even write a single song (e.g. Herman's Hermits). There has not been a suggestion by those who saw them live that they couldn't play well. Similarly, the Association used almost entirely session musicians in the studio, but they were quite capable of playing live (e.g., Monterey Pop Festival). With that being said, I question the DC5's inclusion into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mostly because they were not quite groundbreaking as writers or musically. While some musicians were influenced by them, few acts over the last several decades cite the DC5 as an influence the way they cite the Kinks, Stones, Beatles, Zombies, and others; some drummers cite Dave Clark's style as an influence, including Bruce Springsteen's drummer Max Weinberg. Would I put the DC5 in the Hall of Fame over the Zombies or neglected acts such as Deep Purple? Absolutely not. Popularity alone is not enough. But the DC5 were enjoyable, with Mike Smith having a fantastic powerful voice. They were part of the sound and culture of the early mid-60's and the British Invasion, a magical period indeed. For that reason alone, the DC5 should be appreciated.
Ringo played on all of The Beatles first album "Please Please Me" here in the UK. which was recorded in one day. There was a session drummer brought in by George Martin for the first single "Love Me Do" as he didn't rate Pete Best (the original drummer) when The Beatles auditioned. Even then Ringo played on the album version. You need to get your facts straight if you are going make these statements. I can't comment on the US band as I'm not so familiar with them.
@@rogerosullivan1905 Not quite right. Ringo did not play on the "Love Me Do" hit record or their next single "Please Please Me". He did record the former song but George Martin was not satisfied with his drumming and brought in Andy White. Pete Best did the audition tape but was not replaced by a session musician as he never played on the official releases.
A 2015 Rolling Stone Magazine article and obituary for Andy White clarifies it: "Andy White, the Scotland-born session musician who played drums on the Beatles‘ debut single “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You,” passed away Monday in New Jersey after suffering a massive stroke. He was 85...White made his mark on music history by serving as drummer on the Beatles’ first single. “Love Me Do” was initially recorded during the group’s EMI audition in June 1962 with Pete Best on drums. Three months later, after the Beatles signed their contract, new drummer Ringo Starr performed on the song during a September 4th, 1962 session, but producer George Martin was unhappy with the results. A veteran session drummer, White was then called in to play drums during the September 11th session at EMI Studios at Abbey Road." In fact, you can find interviews here on youtube with George Martin saying that Ringo never forgave him for replacing him on those releases. www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/andy-white-beatles-love-me-do-drummer-dead-at-85-56676/
@Sutton Camera Club I agree with most of what you have said, though it seems from many interviews and documents that "Love Me Do" was Andy White. There are multiple versions yes. I am an aficionado of Beatles recordings as well and recognize that people's accounts of what was used and who becomes murky. This has also been seen with the Wrecking Crew and various personages saying it was them on certain recordings (e.g. Carol Kaye on Bass for some Motown Records). But you are correct to point out that I mistyped recording the whole first album. That was a mistype as I wrote it in one quick breadth. Of course, no one is going to put the DC5 or Herman's Hermits as a musical phenomenon on the Beatles level (nor would persons in those groups), though both of these latter groups had talented personages (e.g. Peter Noon is a spectacular entertainer if you have ever seen him live; Mike Smith was as strong a rock and roll vocalist as any in the British Invasion). Of course great musical accomplishments have little to do with people having favorite bands and music that resonates with them. Both DC5 and HH could lay claim to competing with the Beatles in terms of popularity and sales during the first wave (e.g. Herman's Hermits outsold the Beatles briefly and were names top singles band by Billboard with Beatles No. 2 in 1965; DC5 also were neck and neck in the beginning and appeared the most on Ed Sullivan). And as an aside, it should be noted that most of the American 60's bands of that era did not play in the studio at all, instead using the Wrecking Crew as you may know. Even the entire Byrds first album was session musicians, except Roger McGuinn was on 12-string electric. Turtles, Association, Box Tops, Mamas and Papas, Monkees, Beach Boys, Grass Roots, etc...(list goes on and on) used all session musicians in the studio minus the lead vocals. These bands could play live though. The early British bands like the Stones, Kinks, Beatles, Yardbirds, and so on played themselves with occasional assistance from session musicians on certain instruments (drums, harpsichord, horn, for example). That is why US bands sounded so professional and the British bands sounded more amateurish. But kids picked up on that eventually, especially after the Monkees got outed and Hendrix appeared on the scene and there was a move towards musicianship and individuality.
@@ClearMindedOne It’s nice to hear from a fellow Beatles aficionada! I think we agree on most things to do with The Beatles. As far as session musicians go the record companies / producer probably insisted because they wanted a quick turnaround in the studio. A lot of bands new to the studio would take too much time up. The Byrds are a good example of a band that went on to play their own instruments on later albums. Some of the more commercial bands just kept on using session players.
The live concerts usually showed up the bands that struggled as musicians.
Back in the sixties when I was going to concerts I was fortunate to see Cream (my favourite Rock band), The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Stones, The Who, Traffic, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, Kinks etc and these bands could really play great stuff on stage. Some of the more commercial “Pop” bands were limited. But as you say music is a personal taste and everyone has their own individual likes. There are great memories from the whole era.
@@ClearMindedOnethe byrds played on the songs on their first album. The exception was the single of tambourine man. Check johnny rogans biography with session info. Mcguinn played on tambourine man though.