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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Jessica Gibb

Hi-Five's Roderick 'Pooh' Clark dies aged 49 after car crash left him paralysed

Early 90s R&B star Roderick 'Pooh' Clark has died aged 49.

The original member of Hi-Five died on Sunday after complications from an infection and pneumonia, according to TMZ.

His former bandmate Marcus Sanders said Roderick was in a car crash 30 years ago in Florida that left him paralysed from the neck down.

Afterwards, he developed an infection that spread through his body over the years.

He also developed pneumonia over the last two weeks and was in and out of hospital right up until his death.

Friends and collaborators have paid tribute to the musician.

"Roderick 'Pooh' Clark Feb 27, 1973- April 17, 2022 Rest In Peace My Brother," Sanders wrote.

Friends and collaborators have paid tribute to the musician (Twitter)

The band's musical director Martinez Little wrote: "I am saddened to find out that Roderick 'Pooh' Clark another member of the famed singing group 'Hi5' passed away on Easter Sunday."

He added: "Pooh was the most athletic of them all. In basketball he could stand right under the basket and jump straight up and dunk the ball.

Hi-Five founding member Roderick 'Pooh' Clark has died at just 49 (mirror.co.uk)

"Our play fights and Super Soaker battles were epic. We also used to battle each other hard on the Bball court in most cities.

"I still miss the fun times touring with my little brothers as Musical Director. My condolences to Hi5 and his family. R.I.P. Pooh."

The former girlfriend of late Hi-Five lead singer Tony Thompson, Angela Garcia-Shelby also shared a tribute.

Friends and musical collaborators have paid tribute to the R&B star (mirror.co.uk)

"Roderick 'Pooh' Clark, thru all your life's struggles, you fought the good fight and you did it with a smile from ear to ear," she wrote.

"I hate I didn't call u a few weeks ago when I told myself to! But, you always kept me on the phone for almost 2 hrs when we talked, and there was no cutting u off! Lol!

"We had some amazing phone conversations in the past and some great visits when I came thru Waco! I'll cherish them forever.

"I love u Pooh and you'll forever be my big brother! No more wheelchair, bro! Now, WINGS!!! RIP! #HiFive #original."

The Texas native was a founding member of Hi-Five with Sanders, Thompson, Russell Neal and Toriano Easley.

The R&B group is known for their hits including I Like the Way and She's Playing Hard to Get.

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