Dale "Buffin" Griffin, RIP

You know you are getting older when those you admired in your younger years passes away. David Bowie was one of those people. But one of a group of people I admired more just passed away: Dale "Buffin" Griffin, the drummer of Mott the Hoople.

Mott was a big influence to me musically in my early teen years. Besides learning that it was okay to wear glasses in a rock band (if you hid them as shades, that is!), it was from them that I learned to appreciate '50s rock music. Little Richard, Chuck Berry, all those guys - they were "oldies" and I wasn't interested. But listening to Mott I heard the influences of that music, and it encouraged me to take a second look at it. While they were part of the glitter years, Mott was really a basic rock and roll band, and their music reflected their influences from their youth.

Buffin was never one of the flashy drummers. He and Overend Watts on bass were a tight, precise rhythym section that propelled Ian Hunter and Mick Ralph's songs. I never met him, or any other member of Mott. But from what I heard, he was a great guy. He suffered from Alzheimer's for the 9 years of his life.

Thanks for the memories Buffin. You guys made a difference, at least to this 14 year old.