It was maybe 30 minutes into the first time I met Dan Griffin that he mentioned hanging out with “Bruce.”
This was back in the mid-80s. Dan, who had grown up immersed in the music scene in Alabama, had heard the Right Profile and come to Winston-Salem to meet them. It was at the Profile’s house on Sprague Street (I think) that I met Dan, who was perpetually smiling, gracious and wholly into all things rock/roll. He was a Super Fan of the highest order. So when he mentioned “Bruce,” well, one takes it in stride. He sensed skepticism. He went out of the room and returned with a scrapbook. In the book were pictures of Danny and Bruce Springsteen – the young scruffy Bruce. He had his arm around Danny. Hard to tell who was smiling harder. Danny just shrugged and grinned. It wasn’t a “look who I know” kind of moment, but one of the adoring kid who met his idol.
That is how it was with Danny. If he loved someone’s music, well, he wanted to somehow connect and do this person or band a service.
Danny and I became friends. We pooled p.a. equipment and ran sound at the original Ziggy’s for a wealth of great bands – the Meat Puppets, The Connells, The True Believers … the partnership lasted until he went out on the road, in quick succession, with The Right Profile, then Let’s Active … then …. he was gone.
He would check in from time to time with tales of his latest exploits … working as a concert promoter, a road manager for 10,000 Maniacs and Jackson Browne, jumpstarting the flagging career of Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, Elvis’ original sidemen – a job that allowed Danny to get them a record deal and help the duo make a record/documentary aided by a Who’s Who of Rock – heaven to Danny.
He ate dinner at Friar’s Park with George Harrison, watched a jam session with Scotty, D.J., Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, Jeff Beck. He rubbed epaulets with Sir Elton John and hung out with Sir Paul.
It was, for Danny, everything he could dream of. He didn’t brag about it. It was more like listening to an excited boy talk about what he got from Santa Claus.
Danny has battled cancer for many years now. Good days and, of late, really really bad days. He called me twice in the last several weeks. Just wanted to say hello, thank me for being his friend and say that he loved me. Danny died Friday Morning and I am heartbroken.
There may have been kinder, gentler people in the world, but I never met them. This one hurts. Sleep well, Danny. And … thanks.
Dan was my first cousin. He was a very likeable talented person. I am so sorry that he became so sick and then passing away. I watched him grow up to be a fine young man. He will be missed by everyone that knew and loved him. RIP Danny boy, love you.
Dan and I became friends back in the 80’s when I was a police officer and had a D.A.R.E. web site. When he toured with the Rolling Stones, he got my wife and me seats down about 7 rows back from the stage (we had bought nosebleed seats) and we sat next to Ken Caminetti.
Later, I visited NYC twice – once in 2010, once in October 2013. In 2013, I rented a car because Dan was very ill and wanted to see his college town and some other parts of New York State before he passed away. I tried to encourage him and told him he was just at a low point and treatments would get him better soon.
It was a sad shock to get the e-mail that he passed away in March, 2014.
Dan was a great friend and a very fun guy to hang around NYC with. I hope his soul is resting in peace and that he’s running around Heaven with George Harrison and John Lennon, Elvis, and too many other great spirits to name.