The group that initially posed the most serious threat to the Beatles, however, were The Dave Clark Five, often referred to as the DC5. From the Tottenham section of London (”The Tottenham Sound”), its members teamed together to raise money for Clark's rugby team. The DC5 also toured America and appeared on Ed Sullivan. And became a sensation.
In 1964 alone, this group had seven 40 hits in the U.S.! The liner notes on their first American album even predicted that “the Tottenham sound of the Dave Clark Five is on its way towards overthrowing the reign of the Beatles in this country.”
The Animals, formed in 1962, named for their wild stage behavior, played British R + B. During the next two years, the group attracted a loyal following at the Club-A-Go-Go in their hometown of Newcastle-on-Tyne. After moving to London in 1964, they reworked the folk blues song "The House Of The Rising Sun” into a no. 1 smash.
George Ivan Morrison-shortened to Van Morrison and his group, Them, were also R + B-oriented. (Morrison's parents were blues and jazz enthusiasts.) Formed in 1965, their first U.S. hit was ”Here Comes The Night” that summer. But ”Gloria”, though not a top 40 hit here, would be a staple for many a garage band throughout the decade.
In 1962, budding jazz pianist Manfred Mann (Two accounts vary on his birth name-Either Michael or Manfred Lubowitz from South Africa) joined Mike Hugg, becoming the Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers. The duo later added three more members and became Manfred Mann And The Manfreds, or in the U.S., as Manfred Mann. In 1964, the group had the no. 1 smash, ”Do Wah Diddy Diddy” ( a remake of The Exciters original). They also covered other R + B standards, but legend has it that the group actually preferred jazz music, but played this to get noticed and make money!
The Yardbirds were initially a blues band; their early recordings were also covers of R + B standards. This group is legendary for having three guitar virtuosos within its ranks! In 1963, Eric Clapton became a member, but left in 1965; the blues purist felt that the hit ”For Your Love” was too pop, and he didn't like the direction the band was taking. Along came Jeff Beck. In 1966, Jimmy Page came on board. This group became one of the most innovative influences of the decade.
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