Gov't Mule bassist Allen Woody was found dead in a Queens, N.Y., hotel room on Saturday Aug. 26; he was forty-four. The exact time of death has yet to be determined, but he was discovered by a chambermaid at the Courtyard LaGuardia in East Elmhurst and is believed to have died in his sleep late Friday night or early Saturday morning. An investigation to determine the cause of death is still pending.

Woody had previously played bass for the Allman Brothers Band, joining the legendary Southern jam band along with guitarist Warren Haynes for the comeback album, Seven Turns. After appearing on two live ABB albums and three additional studio efforts, Haynes and Woody turned a side project, Gov't Mule, into a full-time recording and touring unit. The Southern-fried power-trio built a hard-rocking, jam-band following based on their incendiary live performances. They also recorded five albums, including this year's Life Before Insanity and the double-live album Live With a Little Help From Our Friends last year.

"The hearts and prayers of the Allman Brothers Band, their management and extended family are with [Allen's family] and with Allen as his journey continues," reads a statement on the Allman's official Web site.

Woody is survived by his wife Jenny and his daughter Savannah. Capricorn asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Savannah Woody Educational Fund, c/o Hard Head Management, P.O. Box 651, Village Station, New York, N.Y. 10014.

ANDREW DANSBY
(August 29, 2000)