“He was a natural and he had a great voice, too. He always had places packed,” said Bruno, owner of Buzzo Music on Geneseo’s Main Street and a musician himself.
Woods, who died Oct. 27, formed The EZ Money Band in the 1970s. The group – a staple at summer concert series and other venues across the region – featured classic rock from the 1960s and 1970s and modern rock. The group was noted for bring excitement to its shows.
When an illness to a member forced EZ Money to stop performing, former members joined Woods for Woodie’s Whiz Bang Band, which continued to draw crowds that enjoyed good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll.
“If 2,000 people know him from coaching, probably 100,000 people knew him for his singing,” said Bruno.
One of those who remembers that amazing voice of Woods is Ellie Phillips, who said she originally met him back in college. “He was not one of these singers that would be prancing around and stuff like that, no he was a great musician. He did not play any instruments but his voice was his instrument,” said Phillips.
Woods known as “Woodsy” on the band circuit, was busy pretty much every weekend, said Bruno.
“These guys had gigs whenever they wanted. Every place they played at was always packed,” said Bruno.
Woods was born Dec. 28, 1946, in Oneonta, the son Arthur and Helen Goggins Woods. He graduated from Oneonta High School in 1964 and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY Geneseo.
He is survived by his children, Chris (Shannon) Woods of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Meghan (Paul) Glieco of Amherst; grandchildren, Stellan and Scarlett Woods and Luca and Fiona Glieco; several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life ceremony was conducted Nov. 6 in Schrader Gymnasium at SUNY Geneseo.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Genesee Valley Rotary Camp, c/o Ernie Wiard 15 Hal-Bar Rd., Avon, NY 14414 or the Mike Woods Endowment at SUNY Geneseo.
