Andrew Wood (singer)
Andrew Patrick Wood (January 8, 1966 – March 19, 1990) was an American musician who was the lead singer and lyricist for the alternative rock bands Malfunkshun and Mother Love Bone. He formed Malfunkshun in 1980 with his older brother Kevin Wood on guitar and Regan Hagar on drums. The band used alter ego personas onstage; Wood performed as Landrew the Love Child. Though the band only released two songs before going on an extended hiatus, "With Yo' Heart (Not Yo' Hands)" and "Stars-n-You", on the Deep Six compilation album, they are often cited as being among the originators of the Seattle grunge movement. While in Malfunkshun, Wood started using drugs, entering rehab in 1985.
For other people named Andrew Wood, see Andrew Wood (disambiguation).
Andrew Wood
Andrew Patrick Wood
- Andy Wood
- Landrew the Love Child
- "Man of Golden Words"
January 8, 1966
Columbus, Mississippi, U.S.
March 19, 1990 (aged 24)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Singer, musician, songwriter
Vocals, bass guitar, piano
1980–1990
In 1988, Wood began jamming with Green River members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament while Malfunkshun was on hiatus. They 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. In 1989, the band signed a deal with PolyGram issuing an EP, Shine, before going on tour, supporting The Dogs D'Amour. Near the end of the year, the band recorded their debut album, Apple, which was scheduled for release in 1990.
Struggling with drug dependence, Wood checked himself into rehab in 1989, hoping to get clean for the release of Mother Love Bone's debut album. He died in Seattle on March 19, 1990, at the age of 24, after being found in a comatose state by his girlfriend following a heroin overdose.
Early life[edit]
Wood was born on January 8, 1966, in Columbus, Mississippi,[1] to David C. Wood and Toni Wood; he grew up in Bainbridge Island, Washington. He was the youngest of three children; he had two older brothers, Kevin and Brian.[2] Andrew and his brothers were exposed to various types of music by their parents, who also supported their children when they were learning how to play instruments.[2] Andrew became a fan of acts including Elton John, Queen, Aerosmith, and Kiss.[1]
Death[edit]
On March 16, 1990, Wood was found in a comatose state by his girlfriend, having overdosed on heroin.[1][11] He was taken to Harborview Hospital and placed on life support. On March 19, physicians suggested that Wood be removed from life support and he was pronounced dead at 3:15 pm that day.[1][2] The official cause of death recorded on Wood's death certificate is hypoxic encephalopathy.
Apple was released posthumously later in the year, receiving positive reviews.[12] David Browne of The New York Times wrote that "Apple may be one of the first great hard-rock records of the 90s" and that "Andrew Wood could have been the first of the big-league Seattle rock stars."[13]