Dave Clark Five Founder Rick Huxley Dies at 72

Rick Huxley, bass player and founding member of the Dave Clark Five, part of the first brigade of the “British Invasion,” has died at the age of 72.

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The quintet -- comprising Huxley, Dave Clark, Mike Smith, Lenny Davidson and Denis Payton -- carved up a big slice of success on both sides of the Atlantic with such hits as “Bits And Pieces,” “Catch Us If You Can" and “Glad All Over.”

The latter track peaked at No. 6 in the U.S. and No. 1 in the U.K. back in 1963, when it knocked the Beatles’ "I Want to Hold Your Hand" off the top of the chart. For a time in the early 60s, the Beatles were the only British band with a bigger profile than the DC5.

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The foot-stomping five-piece reached the Top 40 17 times between 1964 and 1967 in the U.S., and managed more appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show than any other English act. Throughout the band's career, Huxley would perform on bass, vocals and acoustic guitar.

Having met in North London back in 1958, the group finally called it quits in 1970 with a legacy that would earn them a spot in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame and more than 50 million career album sales. Later, Huxley made a move into the music business and real estate.

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Huxley was on hand when the group was inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2008.

With the passing of Huxley, just two original members survive from the band -- its drummer and bandleader Dave Clark and guitarist Lenny Davidson. Saxophone player Denis Payton died in December 2006 and singer and keyboard player Mike Smith died in 2008.

Huxley had suffered from emphysema and was formerly a heavy smoker. His wife Ann passed away in 2012.

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