By
Doug Poe
Submitted On January 30, 2016
Just under a week after the iconic David Bowie succumbed to
cancer, glam rock fans had to bid good goodbye to Dale "Buffin" Griffin.
The drummer for Mott the Hoople, whose biggest hit "All the Young
Dudes" was written by David Bowie himself, passed away on January 17,
2016 at age 67. Griffin had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's back in
2009, a condition he poignantly discussed from then until his death last
week.
Griffin was clearly underrated as a drummer, sort of a glam rock version of rock legends such as Keith Moon or John Bonham. Just one listen of Mott the Hoople's "Crash Street Kidds" will convince anyone of his talent, as his drums wordlessly justify the alliterative adjective in the title.
In honor of his memory, here are the best ten songs featuring Dale Griffin on drums.
"Marionette"
This track from his band's The Hoople album is the glam rock forerunner to Queen's opus "Bohemian Rhapsody," thanks to its operatic backing vocals and vocalist Ian Hunter's torture-tinged lyrics.
"Alice"
The cut that succeeds "Marionette" is a bass-driven narrative about a disreputable girl and the fool who has fallen for her.
"I Wish I Was Your Mother"
One of the many highlights from the simply titled Mott album, this song provides what is arguably the best perspective of real love.
"Stiff Upper Lip"
Griffin stayed on as drummer after Hunter left and the band shortened its name to Mott. They released several records, starting with Drive On, from which this song is taken.
"Roll Away the Stone"
The Biblical theme never quite escapes The Hoople album, and nowhere is it more deftly applied than on this track.
"Wild in the Street"
After the complete demise of Mott, Griffin and several other members formed the British Lions. This single gave the group a little recognition before they faded from the music scene.
"Honaloochie Boogie"
This single served as a quality follow up to "All the Young Dudes," although it did not fare nearly as well on the charts.
"All the Way from Memphis"
The horns distinguish this hit from other tunes by the band, but its rhythm is driven by Griffin's drumming.
"The Golden Age of Rock and Roll"
The fifties sound on this track preceding "Marionette" seems appropriate, given its title.
"Drivin' Sister"
The metaphor of a girl and a car has never been as entertaining as it is on this track from the Mott album, especially when Hunter calls her "an automobeat on the street."
Griffin was clearly underrated as a drummer, sort of a glam rock version of rock legends such as Keith Moon or John Bonham. Just one listen of Mott the Hoople's "Crash Street Kidds" will convince anyone of his talent, as his drums wordlessly justify the alliterative adjective in the title.
In honor of his memory, here are the best ten songs featuring Dale Griffin on drums.
"Marionette"
This track from his band's The Hoople album is the glam rock forerunner to Queen's opus "Bohemian Rhapsody," thanks to its operatic backing vocals and vocalist Ian Hunter's torture-tinged lyrics.
"Alice"
The cut that succeeds "Marionette" is a bass-driven narrative about a disreputable girl and the fool who has fallen for her.
"I Wish I Was Your Mother"
One of the many highlights from the simply titled Mott album, this song provides what is arguably the best perspective of real love.
"Stiff Upper Lip"
Griffin stayed on as drummer after Hunter left and the band shortened its name to Mott. They released several records, starting with Drive On, from which this song is taken.
"Roll Away the Stone"
The Biblical theme never quite escapes The Hoople album, and nowhere is it more deftly applied than on this track.
"Wild in the Street"
After the complete demise of Mott, Griffin and several other members formed the British Lions. This single gave the group a little recognition before they faded from the music scene.
"Honaloochie Boogie"
This single served as a quality follow up to "All the Young Dudes," although it did not fare nearly as well on the charts.
"All the Way from Memphis"
The horns distinguish this hit from other tunes by the band, but its rhythm is driven by Griffin's drumming.
"The Golden Age of Rock and Roll"
The fifties sound on this track preceding "Marionette" seems appropriate, given its title.
"Drivin' Sister"
The metaphor of a girl and a car has never been as entertaining as it is on this track from the Mott album, especially when Hunter calls her "an automobeat on the street."
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