Dale "Buffin" Griffin, drummer and founder of glam rock group ‘Mott the Hoople’, passed away Sunday in his sleep following a long battle with Alzheimer's. The band's manager Peter Purnell confirmed Griffin's death to the BBC, adding that the drummer was "one of the nicest, friendly and talented men I have ever known." Griffin's death comes just one week after the passing of David Bowie, who penned and produced Mott the Hoople's biggest hit, "All the Young Dudes."
Griffin was was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease almost 10 years ago reported English newspaper Daily mail.
Guitarist Ian Hunter announced that the five founding members of Mott the Hoople would reunite for a string of U.K. performances; unfortunately, Griffin, having recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, was unable to perform in the reunion gigs, although he did partake in the encores portion. "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 told the BBC.
"I used to be fearless, but Alzheimer's has stopped me in my tracks. It is my dreadful little bug and I have to fight to keep it from controlling me," Griffin said at an Alzheimer's Society campaign in 2010 "Alzheimer's has prevented me from doing a lot of the things I love - like reading and writing - but I try to keep as relaxed and easygoing as possible. It is really important for people to 'remember the person' and look beyond someone's diagnosis of dementia. Many old friends now avoid me as they do not know what to say, which is really hurtful. I just wish they would realise that inside, I am still the same old 'Buffin' I always was."
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