On 5th February 2024, I published a book called ‘THE DAVE CLARK FIVE – BITS & PIECES!’, which was favourably received by many, and got great reviews in the USA ‘UGLY THINGS’ and THE UK ‘SHINDIG!’ magazines.
On 18th March 2024, I un-published the book, as a certain ex-drummer objected to me using photos of old record sleeves, claiming copyright of the images on them.
The whole experience completely put me off listening to a band I’d loved for the best part of 60 years. But recently, some two and half years later, I found myself listening to them again – and their better records still sounded as brilliant as ever! So, I’ve re-edited and republished the book – minus any images of the band, but otherwise unaltered. To paraphrase one of the greatest records ever made, CATCH IT WHILE YOU CAN!!!
Peter Checksfield (September 2026)
At the height of the ‘British Invasion’ in the mid-sixties, ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ inductees The Dave Clark Five were second only to The Beatles in popularity. They sold over 100 million records, appeared on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ a dozen times, and have influenced artists as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Kiss and The Ramones. Yet, until now, there has been almost no serious analysis of their music – which ranges from wild, frantic Rhythm ‘n’ Blues to relaxed, middle-of-the-road Easy Listening, as well as Rock ‘n’ Roll, Psychedelia, Bubblegum, Blues, Jazz, Country, Folk and Pop. In this remarkable book, Music Historian Peter Checksfield – author of acclaimed books on artists that include Jerry Lee Lewis, The Rolling Stones, The Hollies, The Searchers, Cilla Black, The Swinging Blue Jeans and The Tremeloes – documents and reviews all this, and much, much more.
