From 1964-1967, it may have seemed as though the Beatles and the Rolling Stones dominated the charts and airwaves. There was a third band, from London, that was a hit machine as well. The Dave Clark 5 knocked The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" from #1 in 1964 with "Glad All Over". Through 1967, they released hit single after hit single including "Bits and Pieces", "Do You Love Me", "Over and Over", "Because" and several more. Dave Clark was the drummer and band leader, Mike Smith the organist and vocalist, Lenny Davidson the guitarist, Denis Payton the sax player and Rick Huxley the bassist.
Huxley, from Dartford in Kent, was a founding member of the band dating back to 1958. His bass playing was as innovative as Paul McCartney's, laying down a powerful bass-line on which Clark elaborated with his kit. Their songs were short, many lasting less than two minutes. Those songs were also catchy, upbeat and very slick. The band played on The Ed Sullivan Show a staggering 17 times. They also starred in their own film entitled "Having a Wild Weekend".
Huxley remained with the band until they disbanded in 1970. He went on to own his own property business although he did stay active in the music business. Clark and Huxley remained friends right up to Huxley's death on February 11, 2013. Clark said he is devastated by the news, saying he'd spoken with Rick only last week and things appeared to have been fine.
Huxley succumbed to his long-time battle with emphysema. He is the third member to die, following Payton (2006) and Smith (2008). Huxley's wife, Ann, died last year. "Rick was a real gentleman," said Clark. "...he was the funny one in the group and a very talented musician."
Comments