Denis Payton, multi-instrumentalist for '60s British Invaders The Dave Clark Five, has died at the age of 63 after a long illness.
Payton played saxophone, harmonica and guitar for the group, who had a string of hit singles in the US between 1964 and 1967. Twenty-one singles went Top 50 in those three years, including their breakthrough hit 'Glad All Over' in 1964, and their solitary number one, 'Over and Over' in 1965.A statement was released by Payton's family and friends, who said that he died on Sunday in Bournemouth, Dorset, just a few weeks after his band were nominated for induction in the 2007 American Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame. They boast record sales of over 100 million.
"He had an amazing philosophy on life and will be greatly missed by me and all who knew him," said Dave Clark. "Denis was extremely brave and not afraid of death." Clark went on to describe Payton as "a very dear friend who I've known since we were teenagers."
