Dave Clark Five 'devastated' at death of bassist Rick Huxley

The Dave Clark Five performing during the Sixties with Dave Clark himself playing the drums and bassist Rick Huxley on bass (left). Musician Huxley, one of the founding members of the 1960s chart stars, has died at the age of 72. (PA)

Musician Rick Huxley, one of the founding members of 1960s chart stars The Dave Clark Five, has died at the age of 72.

The bass player, who joined the group in 1958, performed on hits such as "Bits And Pieces" and "Glad All Over".

Huxley died yesterday and the group's leader and drummer Dave Clark said the news was "devastating".

The band was famously at the forefront of the British invasion of the US charts in the early 60s, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show hot on the heels of The Beatles.

Huxley's death leaves two original members of the band surviving - Clark and guitarist Lenny Davidson.

The group scored a number one with "Glad All Over" in January 1964, and twice went to number two - with "Bits And Pieces" later that year and in November 1967 with "Everybody Knows".

Other hits included "Catch Us If You Can" and their cover of The Contours' "Do You Love Me"?.

The bassist, originally from Dartford in Kent, remained in the line-up until the group disbanded in 1970. He went on to have a property and music business.

Huxley - whose wife Ann died last year - attended the ceremony in 2008 in which The Dave Clark Five were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame by Hollywood star Tom Hanks, a fan of the band. A band featuring Joan Jett, John Fogerty, John Mellencamp and Billy Joel performed some of their biggest hits.

Sax player Denis Payton died in December 2006 and singer/keyboard player Mike Smith died in 2008.

Huxley suffered from emphysema after years of heavy smoking, but Clark said he had recently been given a clean bill of health and his death had come as a shock.

He said: "We'd talk once a week. I spoke to Rick on Friday, he was in great spirits and the news is devastating. Rick was a dear friend and an immensely talented musician with an amazing sense of humour, he always made me smile."

Clark told press: "Rick was a real gentleman. He was very kind and had an amazing sense of humour - he was the funny one in the group, and a very talented musician."

PA