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LONDON - Denis Payton, from rock group The Dave Clark Five which toured the United States in the 1960s and spearheaded the "great British invasion" alongside the Beatles, has died after a long illness aged 63.
Friends and relatives said in a statement that Payton, who played the saxophone, guitar and harmonica and sang backing vocals, died on Sunday.
"He had an amazing philosophy on life and will be greatly missed by me and all who knew him," said Dave Clark, one of the group's founding members. "Denis was extremely brave and not afraid of death."
The Dave Clark Five, which broke up in the 1970s, boasts record sales of more than 100 million and claims to have spearheaded the "Great British Invasion" of the United States that culminated in the Beatles' success there.
A few weeks ago the band was nominated for induction to the 2007 American Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame.
Their hits include Glad All Over and Over and Over.
Payton is survived by Lindsay, his partner of 16 years, his two sons from his first marriage and two stepsons.
- REUTERS
