February 29, 2008 2:17

Dave Clark Five frontman dies

Mike Smith was 64

Dave Clark Five frontman dies

Dave Clark Five's lead singer Mike Smith died of pneumonia today (February 28), just two weeks before his band was to be inducted to the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Smith, 64, reportedly died at a hospital outside of London after being admitted to the intensive care unit with a chest infection on Wednesday.

The condition is believed to have stemmed from an injury the singer suffered when he fell off a fence in 2003, leaving him paralyzed below the ribcage with limited use of his upper body, reports the Associated Press.

"These last five years were extremely difficult for Mike. I am incredibly saddened to lose him, his energy and his humour, 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," Smith's agent Margot Lewis said in a statement.

Dave Clark Five were an integral part of the 1960s British Invasion. They were considered the main commercial rival to The Beatles at the height of their popularity, and had several chart topping hits in both the UK and the US.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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