25 Thumping Great Hits by The Dave Clark Five, 1978 on Polydor Records, value £40

I BOUGHT this album 41 years ago and closely examining the sleeve, including the vinyl disc, recently discovered what I feel obliged to mention, 'Spot The Deliberate Mistake!' Read on and find out, writes MICHAEL BROOKS.

The DC5 were formed in Tottenham, north London, in the late fifties, beginning their career playing American bases in the UK. They were given the opportunity to record a song given to them by songwriter Mitch Murray called I Like It, which they gave to Gerry and The Pacemakers who had a number one hit with it. The follow up was a cover version of The Contours Do I Love You, which just made the top thirty. It was their next release Glad All Over which knocked The Beatles I Want to Hold Your Hand off the top spot. This began an incredible run of hit singles between 1963-70 which amassed a total of more than 100 million record sales. During this time, the band became more popular in the USA than here in the UK. They had 17 consecutive hits in the Billboard top 40 charts,18 appearances on the Ed Sullivan TV show, more than any other British group, six sell out tours, and selling out Carnegie Hall over three days with 12 performances.

They were a five piece group featuring Dave Clark as centre stage which was unusual as drummers were situated towards the back of the stage or sometimes at an elevated level. Most of the vocals were sung by keyboard player Mike Smith and occasionally Lenny Davidson. Their music was often described as raucous, boot stomping rock 'n' roll. The hit song Bits and Pieces was banned from the majority of ballrooms, dancehalls, clubs, even cafe jukeboxes because of the damage patrons caused by stomping and banging on the floors.

By the end of the decade, their musical style was beginning to run its course; flower power, psychedelic and close harmony music were the current trend with glam rock and punk just around the corner. The band broke up in the early seventies. Clark, not only the drummer, was also the band's manager. He owned copyright on all the recordings and for a long time refused to release them hoping the value would increase. Sadly, it didn't and by keeping the records out of the shops, their value diminished. By the time this collection became available, they were almost forgotten. The album was well received and restored them back on top of the album charts in 1978. With Christmas parties just around the corner, this is the sort of album to kick things off. If this doesn't get people up dancing, nothing will.

The Deliberate Mistake? There are only 20 tracks on the album, not 25.