I thoroughly enjoyed it - even though I'd like to have seen much more of the behind the scenes stuff. Dave's had a reputation since the 60s as being an incredibly shrewd businessman (he owns all the Ready Steady Go shows - send me an offcut of me, please, Dave) and I'd like to have seen more of that wheeling and dealing.

I loved the documentary, but it would be nice to see something about the Dave Clark Five which wasn't written, directed and produced by Dave Clark himself - but he wouldn't let anyone else do it.

I wish he didn't have such control freak tendencies. None of their albums have ever been released on CD, Dave just releases greatest hits compilations every 10 or 15 years then deletes them, so the majority of their other tracks are completely unobtainable. He also doesn't allow their tracks on various artist compilations (the Ready Steady Go compilation CDs were an exception, because he put those together).

Spot on - and I think it suffered and was less interesting because of that. Dave's personal life is a fascinating mystery. I remember visiting his new luxury flat (in Curzon Street, if my memory is correct) which he showed me with pride in 1965 or thereabouts. There is a much more film to be made. Why is he such a "control freak"? I think it's essentially because he knows and understands the power of the media and the necessity to keep absolute power over every tiny detail. And always has. But many of the "talking heads" on the show were people who do not appear for any reason other than wanting to. "How did you get these stars on, Dave? What is it they love and respect about you that made them agree?".

I think he's worried about some of the skeletons hidden in his cupboard.

A few years ago some of the early Dave Clark Five albums were made available on iTunes, but it was soon noticed that all songs with a credit for the songwriter Robert Ryan had been removed. This came after Robert Ryan (the brother of the original DC5 guitarist) had finally come clean to having written several of the early DC5 hits - including Bits & Pieces, Because and Anyway You Want It. Ryan had a "handshake agreement" with Clark that he would pen songs which would appear with Clark credited as the songwriter, and in return Clark would made sure he got a good share of the royalties. Ryan admitted that in the end Clark never paid him any royalties.

Clark is also known to have added his name alongside that of Mike Smith, for songs wholly written by Smith, and in some cases replaced Smith's name with his own. There have been a number of claims online that Clark never wrote any of the songs for which he is credited - and that a session drummer plays on most of the records. It was certainly the case that when Smith toured shortly before the accident which would eventually lead to his death, that Clark had threatened him with legal action if there was any mention of the Dave Clark Five in any of the publicity for his concerts.

I don't think it's "skeletons". Dave was always very in control. I seriously doubt the songwriting story; any writer or co writer would have sued or complained years ago unless he had been properly rewarded (i.e. large sums buyouts instead of royalties).

The fact that the original members stayed together until death (3 out of 5) implies they were far happier than most musicians. For example, Elton's story about everyone suing old publishers.

Andy wrote:
I think he's worried about some of the skeletons hidden in his cupboard.

A few years ago some of the early Dave Clark Five albums were made available on iTunes, but it was soon noticed that all songs with a credit for the songwriter Robert Ryan had been removed. This came after Robert Ryan (the brother of the original DC5 guitarist) had finally come clean to having written several of the early DC5 hits - including Bits & Pieces, Because and Anyway You Want It. Ryan had a "handshake agreement" with Clark that he would pen songs which would appear with Clark credited as the songwriter, and in return Clark would made sure he got a good share of the royalties. Ryan admitted that in the end Clark never paid him any royalties.

Clark is also known to have added his name alongside that of Mike Smith, for songs wholly written by Smith, and in some cases replaced Smith's name with his own. There have been a number of claims online that Clark never wrote any of the songs for which he is credited - and that a session drummer plays on most of the records. It was certainly the case that when Smith toured shortly before the accident which would eventually lead to his death, that Clark had threatened him with legal action if there was any mention of the Dave Clark Five in any of the publicity for his concerts.

No mention of what the others did during the 80's etc. I still got a feeling DC kept the royalties and settled out of court. Maybe DC5 were just an act put together by DC and posed with drums.


Dave Clark reminds me of Gene Simmons. He takes most of the credit of their success when most of it was due to Paul Stanley as he is a clever business man. Gene was the main cause of the lawsuits of the group. Peter Criss and Ace Frehley got screwed and their faces were on the album covers but did not play much on the albums. Dave Clark not playing but having a session drummer does not surprise me if it was true.

The doc appeared to be a slightly altered version of the one that was screened in the States a year ago. There was way too much on Time in both.

Artie Fufkin wrote:
The doc appeared to be a slightly altered version of the one that was screened in the States a year ago. There was way too much on Time in both.

Was Time even a success as they said it was ?

andrew wrote:
Artie Fufkin wrote:
The doc appeared to be a slightly altered version of the one that was screened in the States a year ago. There was way too much on Time in both.

Was Time even a success as they said it was ?

As far as I can recall it was generally slated.

Artie Fufkin wrote:
andrew wrote:
Artie Fufkin wrote:
The doc appeared to be a slightly altered version of the one that was screened in the States a year ago. There was way too much on Time in both.

Was Time even a success as they said it was ?

As far as I can recall it was generally slated.

I did ask some stage musical enthusiasts and they don't remember it or heard of it.

The documentary was biased and showed Dave in a different light, he reminds me of Donovan who has a big ego.

I never saw it but was very impressed by the interviews and thought it did look way ahead of its time. Olivier and Mercury and Cliff in the same show? Wow!

JK2006 wrote:
I never saw it but was very impressed by the interviews and thought it did look way ahead of its time. Olivier and Mercury and Cliff in the same show? Wow!

That was the album, not the show. Cliff appeared in the show, mainly with non-entities and the silly gimmick of Olivier, looking ill, on film. Then I think David Cassidy took over from Cliff.