The drummer and founding member of the British rock band Mott the Hoople has died at age 67, according to the BBC.
The BBC, citing a record label executive, said Dale Griffin had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a decade ago and died Sunday.
Mott the Hoople, a British glam-rock band that also featured singer Ian Hunter and guitarist Mick Ralphs, had their biggest hit in 1972 with “All the Young Dudes.”
The anthemic song was penned by David Bowie, who died just last week, and given by him to Mott the Hoople to stop the band from breaking up.
It reached the Top 5 on the British charts and was Mott the Hoople’s only Top 40 hit in the U.S. It’s since been covered and recorded dozens of times, including by Bowie himself.
Mott broke up in the the mid-1970s after a string of British hits including “Roll Away the Stone” and “All the Way From Memphis.”
Mr. Griffin had been in declining health for some time and could only take on limited performances when Mott the Hoople reformed and began touring again in 2009
He is survived by Jean Smith, his long-term partner.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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