Andrew Wood (singer)

Andrew Wood
Wood (front) with Mother Love Bone in 1989
Wood (front) with Mother Love Bone in 1989
Background information
Birth nameAndrew Patrick Wood
Also known as
  • Andy Wood
  • Landrew the Love Child
  • "Man of Golden Words"
Born(1966-01-08)January 8, 1966
Columbus, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedMarch 19, 1990(1990-03-19) (aged 24)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
GenresAlternative rock, grunge, glam rock
Occupation(s)Singer, musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, bass guitar, piano
Years active1980–1990
Formerly ofMalfunkshun, Mother Love Bone

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.

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.