For those of you who are too young to remember the Dave Clark Five, welcome to most of the world. I don't remember them at all.

One listen, and you think you're hearing the Beatles. However, DC5 fans are a rabid, loyal lot, and they can offer a billion reasons they were as good or better than those boys from Liverpool.

Of course, the reason I mention the band is because their lead singer, Mike Smith, died this week from complications of pneumonia. He had been paralyzed a few years back in a fall, and I think he had been in care somewhere ever since.

So, I thought: Hey, time for a quick history lesson. Here's what you need to know about the Dave Clark Five to come off like a pro:

- Their first big hit was "Glad All Over," and it hit American charts soon after the Beatles did in 1964.

- The band is named after its drummer. They would set up on stage with the drums out front and Mike Smith off to the side.

- There is a ton of debate as to whether Dave Clark actually played on the band's records. The band says absolutely; some historians say otherwise.

- Their biggest chart hit in America was "Over and Over," which hit No. 1. I do believe it was their only No. 1 in the states.

- The Dave Clark Five is now really the Dave Clark Three, as sax player Denis Payton died in December.

- Their anthem "Glad All Over" is kind of a fight song for the Blackpool football club.

And it's a happy song, so I'll pop a little video of it here in honor of the late, great Mike Smith.