Roderick “Pooh” Clark, a former member of the nostalgic 90s R&B group Hi-Five, died at 49.
Marcus Sanders, another member of the group, told TMZ that Roderick died in a Waco, TX, hospital on Sunday due to complications from an infection and pneumonia.
Clark developed pneumonia and the infection over the past two weeks and was in and out of the hospital until he passed away.
Clark had been confined to a wheelchair since a 1993 car crash in Florida. He was paralyzed from the neck down.
The Texas native was a founding member of Hi-Five. The quintet was formed in 1989. The original group members consisted of Clark, Sanders, Tony Thompson, Toriano Easley, and Russell Neal. Other members included Shannon Gill, Dre Ramseur, and Terrell Carr.
With hits like “I Like The Way (The Kissing Game),” “I Just Can’t Handle It,” “She’s Playing Hard To Get,” and “I Can’t Wait Another Minute,” the group consistently reached the top of the charts. “I Like The Way (The Kissing Game), released in 1991, was number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts.
The group’s musical director posted a tribute to Clark on a Facebook post.
“Pooh was the most athletic of them all,” both posts read. “In basketball, he could stand right under the basket and jump straight up and dunk the ball. 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.”
Clark’s tragic death isn’t the group’s first tragedy. In 2007, Thompson, the group’s former lead singer, was 31 years old when he died from a drug overdose. Irby, who joined the group in 1992, was shot five times outside of a New Haven club in 2009, and Neal was arrested for murdering his wife in 2014. Regardless, Hi-Five remains one of the most adored 90s boy band.
Clark charmed many Gen Xers and Millenials with his looks, voice, and moves; his legacy will always be remembered every time a Hi-Five song is played, making mothers feel like teenagers again.
“Hi-Five is easily one of my favorite 90s male groups,” a Twitter user posted. “Rest easy to the og member, Roderick “Pooh” Clark.”
Hi-Five is easily one of my favorite 90s male groups. Rest easy to the og member, Roderick “Pooh” Clark ?? pic.twitter.com/ipJS10Aooc
—
Nene P. (@Nene_689) April 19, 2022
“RIP Roderick “Pooh” Clark,” radio personality Chad Taylor tweeted. “Thanks for the music, memories, and friendship. Your legacy lives on.”
RIP Roderick “Pooh” Clark ? Thanks for the music, memories and friendship. Your legacy lives on. @OfficialHiFive ? https://t.co/jywPoRiftZ pic.twitter.com/rsHd4IzJmv
— Chad Taylor (@ChadTaylorRadio) April 19, 2022
Clark was not married and did not leave behind any children.
