Daniel Woodgate

Who is Daniel Woodgate?

Dan Woodgate is the drummer of the band, Madness. More commonly known by his nickname Woody, he joined the band after being introduced at a rehearsal by bass player Mark Bedford. Woodgate is one of the less regular songwriters in the group, but is credited as co-writer on the hits 'Return of The Los Palmas 7' and 'Michael Caine'. His only solo credit is on the track 'Sunday Morning' from The Rise & Fall album, and more recently on 'Small World' on Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da.

Before Madness, Dan Woodgate was in a band called Steel Erection with his younger brother, Nick, who himself is credited as a co-writer on the Madness songs 'No Money', 'Kitchen Floor' and 'Leon', and even played all of the instruments minus drums and provided vocals for the demo version of 'Kitchen Floor'. For a time from 1987, Woodgate also played drums with Voice of the Beehive. From 1992-95 he worked with his own band Fat.

Woodgate received his first drum kit when he was 12 years of age. After leaving school he worked as a sign writer /printer then building work/laborer. He joined Madness who were known as the Invaders at the time in 1978.

Woody was previously married to Jane Crockford of the Mo-dettes, but now lives with his second wife Siobhan and their daughters, Iona and Mary, in Beckenham, Kent. Until recently he worked at Hayes School, Bromley, as a music technician. In 2009 he completed the London Marathon in a time of 3 hours and 45 minutes.