 ONE of the original members of John Lennon's first group, The Quarrymen, has died of cancer. Eric Griffiths, 64, who was originally from Denbigh, died just two weeks after the band finally released their debut album, half a century after they formed. Mr Griffiths moved to Woolton, Liverpool, when he was 10. He played with the band from 1956 until 1958, sharing a stage with both Lennon and McCartney. He left the band in 1958 and joined the Merchant Navy, but never lost his interest in music. The Cavern Club's 40th anniversary in 1997 brought the guitarist and the band back together, but The Quarrymen did not release their debut album, Songs We Remember, until January 17 this year. Original Quarrymen drum-mer Colin Hanton, 66, said the revival was all thanks to Mr Griffiths, who motivated the band to produce the new CD that had taken them on tours around Europe, America and Japan. He said: "Eric had a lot to do with the band carrying on in 1997. We performed a charity gig at St Peter's Church Hall (in Woolton) and Eric was responsible for the rebirth and success of The Quarrymen. " Fellow Quarryman Rod Davis said: "I've known Eric since we were 11 and I owe him a big debt because he was the one who invited me to join the band. "He was a perfectionist in a lot of ways, but he had a great knowledge of music and a great sense of humour." Mr Griffiths was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas after the band's last gig, in Norway in November. Mr Davis added: "He was able to spend Christmas with his wife Relda and three sons." Mr Griffith's youngest son Danny, 31, said: "My dad took great pleasure getting together once again with The Quarrymen and travelling the world playing their music." | 
