Dale Griffin: Mott the Hoople drummer dies age 67

Griffin was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2009 when in his late 50s

Mott the Hoople: Peter Watts, Verden Allen, Mick Ralphs, Ian Hunter and Dale Griffin (far right) in 1972 (REX Features)

Dale Griffin, the drummer for the rock band Mott The Hoople, has died aged 67.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a decade ago and died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, Peter Purnell from the band’s label Angel Air Records told the BBC.

Hailing from Ross-on-Wye in Hertfordshire, Griffin co-founded the glam rock band in the 1960s. Originally called Silence, the band changed their name in 1969.

The band found success with their biggest song 'All The Young Dudes', which was written for them by the legendary David Bowie, who died from cancer just over a week ago.


 Griffin in 1975
 (REX)

Other notable songs included "All The Way From Memphis" and "Roll Away The Stone".

The group split in 1974 but Griffin, along with band members Peter Watts and Morgan Fisher, played for another two years until 1976.

Following this, he worked for the BBC, serving as a producer for John Peel’s iconic Radio 1 sessions from 1981 to 1994.

Mott The Hoople reformed in 2009 for five reunion shows, but by then Griffin was too ill to perform and only joined the band for encores. His friend and fellow drummer Martin Chambers from the band the Pretenders filled in on stage.

Griffin is survived by his long-term partner, Jean Smith.