18 December 2006

Musician Denis Payton, a founder member of rock group the Dave Clark Five, 
has died of cancer at the age of 63.

Payton, who played saxophone, harmonica and guitar for the popular 1960s 
band, had been ill for some time.

In a statement, Clark called Payton "a very dear friend who I've known since 
we were teenagers".

"Denis was extremely brave and not afraid of death. He had an amazing 
philosophy on life and will be greatly missed by me and all who knew him."

Payton's death comes just weeks after it was announced that the Dave Clark 
Five had been nominated for induction to the 2007 US Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of 
Fame.

Clark said his former colleague, who died in Bournemouth, Dorset, had been 
"thrilled" by the citation. "He said, 'I know I won't be around but it was 
an amazing part of my life that I am very proud of.'"

One of the first English groups to tour America, the Dave Clark Five 
spearheaded the "British Invasion" of the 1960s.

The band sold over 100 million records and enjoyed 30 hit singles worldwide 
before breaking up in the 1970s.

Their hits include Glad All Over, Bits And Pieces and Over And Over.

(BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6190357.stm )


Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Announce 2007 Inductees

Dec 12, 2006

Of the nine original nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of 
Fame and Museum, which were announced in October, five have been chosen. The 
Foundation will release the names of the five inductees in a press release 
on January 8, 2007. The nine nominees for 2007 induction are Chic, The Dave 
Clark Five, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, R.E.M., The Ronettes, 
Patti Smith, The Stooges, Joe Tex and Van Halen...

http://mixonline.com/news/headline/rockhall-2007-inductees-121206/