With the band: 1989–1997
Instruments: Bass, vocals
A Nashville Original
Douglas Allen Woody was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 3, 1955. He grew up soaking in blues, country and rock records. Around town he was known as a powerful bass player and as an obsessive collector of vintage instruments, from basses and guitars to mandolins.
Winning the Gig
When the Allman Brothers Band re-formed in 1989, Allen won the bass chair. His thick, driving tone and fearless improvising anchored the band on Seven Turns (1990), Shades of Two Worlds (1991), Where It All Begins (1994) and two live albums. He and Warren Haynes joined the band at the same time, and they quickly became as close as brothers.
Gov't Mule
In 1994, on an Allman Brothers tour, Allen and Warren started talking about a stripped-down power trio. With drummer Matt Abts they formed Gov’t Mule, and the name grew out of a conversation with Jaimoe. In 1997 the two left the Allman Brothers to commit to Mule full time, and they recorded Gov’t Mule, Live at Roseland Ballroom, Dose and Life Before Insanity. Allen also played in the Pink Floyd tribute band Blue Floyd.
Remembering Woody
Allen Woody died unexpectedly in New York on August 26, 2000. He was 44. A month later Warren Haynes put together One for Woody, a benefit concert for Allen’s young daughter, and an amazing range of musicians turned out to play. Allen rests near Nashville. His bandmates remember his sharp, dark sense of humor and a bass sound nobody could mistake.
Allen Woody in the Photo Gallery
