Andrew Wood | |
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Andrew Wood (front) with Mother Love Bone in 1989.
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Background information | |
Birth name | Andrew Patrick Wood |
Also known as | Landrew the Love Child, "Man Of Golden Words" |
Born |
Columbus, Mississippi |
January 8, 1966
Died | March 19, 1990 Seattle, Washington |
(aged 24)
Genres | Alternative rock, grunge, glam rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, singer-songwriter |
Instruments | Vocals, piano, bass guitar, guitar, tambourine, keyboard |
Years active | 1980–1990 |
Labels | C/Z, Loosegroove, Mercury, PolyGram, Stardog |
Associated acts | Malfunkshun, Mother Love Bone |
Andrew Patrick Wood (January 8, 1966 – March 19, 1990) was an American musician best known as the lead singer for alternative rock bands Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. Wood was also known for his flamboyance.
Wood formed Malfunkshun, in 1980, with his brother Kevin and Regan Hagar. The band used alter ego personas onstage, with Wood using the name Landrew the Love Child. Though the band only had two songs released, "With Yo' Heart (Not Yo' Hands)" and "Stars-n-You", on the Deep Six compilation album, they are often cited as being among the "founding fathers" of the Seattle's grunge movement. During his time in Malfunkshun, Wood started relying heavily on drugs, entering rehab in 1985.
By 1988, Malfunkshun had disbanded and Wood began jamming with Green River members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament. They soon began writing original material and formed Mother Love Bone the same year, adding guitarist Bruce Fairweather (also a former member of Green River) and drummer Greg Gilmore to the lineup. The following year, the band signed a deal with PolyGram, issuing a six-song EP, Shine, before going on to tour, supporting The Dogs D'Amour. Towards the end of the year, the band recorded their debut album, Apple, which was scheduled for release in 1990.
Due to his struggle with drug addiction, Wood checked himself into rehab in 1989, hoping to get clean for the release of Mother Love Bone's debut album. On March 16, 1990, Wood was found in a comatose state by his girlfriend, Xana La Fuente, having overdosed on heroin. Wood was taken to the hospital and placed on life support, but he died three days later.