London: Founding member of English rock band Mott The Hoople, legendary drummer Dale Griffin has died at the age of 67.
According to Peter Purnell from record label Angel Air records, Griffin died on Sunday night in his sleep.
Known for adding fuel to classic songs including "All The Young Dudes," which was written and produced by David Bowie and "Roll Away The Stone," the drummer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease almost 10 years ago, reported Mirror. "He was one of the nicest, friendly and talented men I have ever known.
All he ever wanted was for his beloved Mott The Hoople to reform and it was his determination that achieved that very feat in 2009 but sadly by then he was too ill to perform at the five sold-out dates - though he did join the band for encores," Purnell said.
Born in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, Griffin played in a number of local bands before forming Silence with singer Stan Tippens, keyboard player Verden Allen, guitarist Mick Ralphs and bassist Pete Overend Watts in the late 1960.
The band became cult, but struggled to top the charts and were on the verge of breaking up in 1972, until Bowie stepped in and asked them to stay together.
However, they disintegrated in 1974. The drummer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease just as the Mott The Hoople reunion was about to begin. Griffin is survived by his long term partner Jean Smith.
