Mike Smith (2)

British producer who worked mainly for Decca & CBS labels. Born Barking, Essex, England 30 April 1935; died Camberley, Surrey, England 3 December 2011. Do NOT confuse with the The Dave Clark Five's singer Mike Smith (16) who also worked as a producer. Known for turning down The Beatles and instead giving a recording contract to Brian Poole & The Tremeloes in 1962, He went on to record hits with The Tremeloes, The Applejacks, Dave Berry, Jeff Christie, Georgie Fame, The Love Affair, The Marmalade and others. In 1964, he started his own UK production company Strand Records Ltd., also credited as Strand Records (4). Smith later worked for GTO Records and in a record pressing factory, and he occasionally spoke at Beatle conventions.