Griffin was born in Columbia, Missouri. His biggest hit was "You Can't Be True, Dear" (1948), which was first released as an instrumental, and later that year re-released with a vocal by Jerry Wayne dubbed in. Both versions became popular, selling over 3.5 million copies. He also starred in a 1954-55 syndicated television series, 67 Melody Lane. He recorded on a variety of recording labels, especially Columbia.
It was in the 1940s in Aurora, Illinois, that Griffin broke into the nightclub circuit, playing at the Rivoli Cafe nightly. The sessions at the Rivoli cafe were broadcast on the radio station, WMRO, and the program became popular. Griffin died on March 11, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 46, of a heart attack and was buried at Lincoln Memorial Park in Aurora. Columbia had many hours of Griffin's unreleased recordings on tape, and continued to release "new" recordings of Griffin's music for a number of years after his death. His version of Ebb Tide was played in the fifth season premiere of the TV drama Mad Men.
Partial discography
Anniversary Songs Columbia 10-inch Lp CL 6177; 12" Lp CL-586/CS-8781*
Skating Time Columbia 12" Lp CL-610 (Also available on 10" Lp)
Lost In A Cloud Columbia 12" Lp CL-662
The Music of Irving Berlin Columbia 10" Lp CL-6120
Christmas Carols Columbia 10" Lp CL-6130
Hawaiian Serenade Columbia 10" Lp CL-6206
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling Columbia 10" Lp CL-6245
Latin Americana Columbia 10" Lp CL-6263
Cruising Down The River Columbia 12" Lp CL-761/CS-9042*
Hymns Of America Columbia 10" Lp CL-6298
You Can't Be True, Dear Columbia 12" Lp CL-907/CS-8790*
Moonlight And Roses Columbia 12" Lp CL-1207/CS-8848*
