This year is not off to a good start

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35342699

RIP.

David Bowie drummer Dale Griffin dies at the age of 67
BY CLAIRE RUTTER
The Mott The Hoople rocker passed away on Sunday night

Mott The Hoople drummer Dale Griffin has died at the age of 67.

The rocker was the founder member of the group, which is best known for classic songs including All The Young Dudes and Roll Away The Stone.

All The Young Dudes was written and produced by the late David Bowie, who died just over a week ago in New York.

Griffin died on Sunday night in his sleep, according to Peter Purnell from record label Angel Air records.

Purnell described Griffin as "one of the nicest, friendly and talented men I have ever known.”

Sorry guys, it continues...

He continued: "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."

The Herefordshire rocker played ina number of bands before joining singer Stan Tippens, keyboard player Verden Allen, guitarist Mick Ralphs and bassist Pete Overend Watts in the late 1960s to former Silence.

They scored a record contract and worked with producer Guy Stevens, who later renamed the band Mott the Hoople after Willard Manus' 1967 novel.

Singer Ian Hunter joined the group replacing Tippens, who worked as their road manager.

David Bowie convinced the group to stay together in 1972, and he suggested they worked with his manager Tony De Fries.

Bowie gave them songs, offering them Suffragette City although they wanted Drive-In Saturday.

He didn't want to give it up - but he did write the track All The Young Dudes which formed part of the narrative for Bowie's alter-ego Ziggy Stardust.

That's it. I am signing off the web after this post. I can't handle all this news today.

I loved Mott The Hoople. One of my fave bands from the early to mid 70's. Even though this isn't such a shock knowing the disease he had it's still sad. At least it was in his sleep God Bless him.

Thank You Mr. Dale Griffin for all the great rock 'n' roll you gave us.

Rick A.

What a week. Bowie, Frey & Buffin (DG's stage name). I am getting old.

RIP!

Gosh it seems every day it is someone else. At 62 a few months away from 63 I am not liking this one bit.

One of the reasons why I retired kinda early was because we all have a limited time on Earth especially once your past the 50s. Enjoy every sandwich as one poet once said.

Yep and every year when you guys come down for our annual Jimbo Lunch, I'm always glad we do it. And I'm glad we got Bill to join our motley crew.

Hopefully Steve will return this year.

I'm looking forward to our yearly pilgrimage to Fenway Park too!

Well said. Couldn't agree with you more. Found Mott the Hoople thru David Bowie in 1972 with All the Young Dudes. Went back and bought all the old stuff and everything after. It's amazing how many people have never heard of them, but they influenced lots of artists.

Never saw them in concert. Strongly considered going to Great Britain for one of the recent reunion concerts. Sure wish I would have, even though Buffin wasn't able to play. RIP.

Thanks Sprinter77. I have pretty much have everything the band has released and enjoy all of it. And as you noted I feel one of the best bands, especially live. I loved their energy.

Rick A.

I actually got into Mott before I got heavily into Bowie. They were "THE BAND" of the crowd I hung with my sophomore year in high school. I first discovered them through a cover band called "The Whizz Kids" playing "Rock & Roll Queen" at a dance in 8th grade.

I saw one of the Ariel Bender tours. It was a whopping $3.00 in a 2,000 seat theater. (The Paramount in Seattle). I'll never forget my female date's reaction (she was unfamiliar with the band); it was something like: "My God I want to F!@k one of those guys!"

I would have killed to see them live.

Rick A.

I'm sure glad I did (I also saw Hunter/Ronson on the Y I Orta tour; which in someways was cooler because I was standing a few feet away from Ronson for the entire show.); though I really wish I would have seen them with Mick Ralphs.

I envy you both. It takes a while longer for bands like Mott to find their way to Oklahoma! The closest I came to seeing them live was April of 1974 in Oklahoma City, my freshman year in college. Queen was the opening act! Unfortunately I was out of town at a track meet. I figured I would get another chance but never did. Same with Hunter and Ronson. They were in OKC in December of 1989 at some club. I couldn't find anyone to go with me. I still follow Ian to this day. Still releasing some good stuff.

I lost my opt as well. when Queen/Mott The Hopple were in NYC. I waited to long to get tickets and have kicked myself ever since. At least when I had the opt to see "Queen" during the "Sheer Heart Attack" I made sure I was there.

Rick A.