In less than two weeks the Dave Clark Five are to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Lead singer Mike Smith won't be on hand. He died Thursday at the age of 64 from pneumonia.
Smith was admitted to the ICU unit at a hospital outside of London on Wednesday. The singer of 'I Like It Like That' had been paralyzed below the ribcage since a fall at his home in September 2003. He had recently moved to a specially prepared home with his wife Charlie after spending the last five years in hospital because of that accident.
"These last five years were extremely difficult for Mike. I am incredibly saddened to lose him, his energy and his humor, but I am comforted by the fact that he had the chance to spend his final months and days at home with his loving wife Charlie," agent Margo Lewis said.
Part of the British Invasion Smith wrote songs as well as playing the keys for the strongest threat to the Beatles. The band made a total of 12 appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show".
The band was the focus of the 1965 John Boorman documentary "Catch Us If You Can."
The band broke up in 1970. Smith had hoped to attend the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony set for March 10.
His wife Arlene (Charlie) survives him.
