Mother Love Bone was formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1988, by former members of the bands Green River and Malfunkshun. The band’s lineup included Andrew Wood on vocals, Stone Gossard and Bruce Fairweather on guitars, Jeff Ament on bass, and Greg Gilmore on drums.
The band quickly gained a following in the Seattle music scene, which was exploding with new bands and energy at the time. Mother Love Bone’s music was a fusion of rock, metal, and glam, with Wood’s dynamic vocals and charismatic stage presence setting them apart from other bands.
In 1989, the band signed with PolyGram Records and began recording their debut album, “Apple,” with producer Terry Date. The album was highly anticipated and received critical acclaim, but tragedy struck just before its release when Andrew Wood died of a heroin overdose in March 1990.
Devastated by Wood’s death, the band decided to disband, but “Apple” was released posthumously later that year. The album showcased Mother Love Bone’s unique sound and songwriting talent, and is now considered a classic of the Seattle grunge scene.
After the breakup of Mother Love Bone, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament went on to form the band Pearl Jam with Eddie Vedder, which would go on to become one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time. Bruce Fairweather went on to play with several other Seattle bands, including Love Battery and The Missionary Position.
Greg Gilmore continued to play drums in the Seattle music scene, working with bands such as The Lucky Me’s and Brad, which also featured Stone Gossard. He later formed the band The Yellow No. 5, and continues to perform and record music.
The legacy of Mother Love Bone lives on in their music, which influenced many of the bands that followed in the Seattle grunge scene. The band’s story is also told in the documentary “Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story,” which chronicles the life and music of Andrew Wood and his impact on the Seattle music scene.