Denis Payton, 63; played saxophone with the Dave Clark Five

Denis Payton, 63, the saxophone player in the British pop band the Dave Clark Five, died Sunday of cancer in Bournemouth, southern England, Clark’s office said Monday.

Payton, who was born in Walthamstow, East London, England, appeared on all the group’s records and also played guitars and harmonica and sang backup vocals.

The group was London’s answer to the wave of hits pouring out of Liverpool in the 1960s. Their hit records include “Bits and Pieces,” “Do You Love Me?” and “Glad All Over.”

“Denis was a very dear friend who I’ve known since we were teenagers,” Clark said in a statement. “Denis was very brave and not afraid of death. He will be greatly missed by me and all who knew him.”

Just weeks ago, the group was nominated for induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.