"I can't believe it - Dale was like family, we were very close - we went through a lot together," said keyboardist Verden Allen. "I got a call from our manager Pete Purnell this morning and he told me. Dale was a nice, well-spoken man and a brilliant drummer, it's unbelievable that he's gone."

Griffin was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 58 and was living in a care home near Brecon. The drummer last performed with Moot The Hoople during a series of five 40th anniversary shows in 2009. Griffin played during the show's encores while Pretenders sticksman Martin Chambers handled the main set.

"He played three songs with us, including All The Young Dudes," explains Allen. "I suppose in some ways it's a release for him now - he had suffered for many years." Read more - here.

Mott The Hoople Music, DVDs, Books and more Mott The Hoople T-shirts and Posters More Mott The Hoople News Share this article Related Stories • Mott The Hoople's Pete Overend Watts Dead At 69 • Mott The Hoople's Dale 'Buffin' Griffin Laid To Rest • Mott The Hoople's Dale Griffin Dead At 67 More Stories for Mott The Hoople Mott The Hoople Music