Dale Griffin, Mott the Hoople Drummer and Co-Founder, Dies at 67

Mott the Hoople All The Young Dudes

Dale Griffin, the drummer and founding member of British glam rock band Mott the Hoople, died Sunday after a battle with Alzheimers disease. He was 67.

His label, Angel Air, announced the news on its website.

Griffin was born in Ross-on-Wye, England, and got his start by playing in local bands including Charlie Kingsley Creation, the Silence, the Shakedown Sound and the Doc Thomas Group.

After Griffin and his bandmates moved to London in 1969, they nabbed a record deal and met producer Guy Stevens, who gave them the name Mott the Hoople after the 1967 novel by Willard Manus.

The group would go on to score hits Roll Away the Stone and All the Young Dudes, the latter written and produced by the late David Bowie, who also sang backing vocals on the track.

Mott the Hoople released eight albums before breaking up in the mid-70s after vocalist Ian Hunter canceled its European tour, citing physical exhaustion. Griffin would go on to become a producer of BBC live music sessions.

The band reunited in 2009 for its 20th anniversary, but Griffin was already too sick to take part, having been diagnosed with Alzheimers only shortly before the reunion was announced.

Griffin is survived by his long-time partner Jean Smith.

Source: http://variety.com/2016/music/people-news/dale-griffin-matt-the-hoople-drummer-and-co-founder-dies-at-67-1201682390/