Mark Evans (musician)

Australian bassist (born 1956)

Mark Evans

Evans performing with Rose Tattoo in 2022

Background information
Birth name| Mark Whitmore Evan
Born|  (1956-03-02) 2 March 1956 (age 68)
Melbourne, Australia
Genres| Rock, hard rock, blues
Occupation| Musician
Instrument(s)| Bass guitar, guitar
Years active| 1972–present
Website| markevansblues.com

Musical artist

Mark Whitmore Evans (born 2 March 1956) is an Australian musician, the current bass guitarist for rock band Rose Tattoo, and also a member of hard rock band AC/DC from March 1975 to June 1977. His playing featured on their albums T.N.T, High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and Let There Be Rock.[1] Evans has played for numerous other groups, sometimes on lead guitar, including Finch (a.k.a. Contraband), Cheetah, Swanee, Heaven and The Party Boys. Evans' autobiography, Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC was released in December 2011.

## Biography

[edit]

Evans was born on 2 March 1956 and raised in Melbourne, Victoria.[2] He was originally a guitarist and early in 1975 he was introduced to hard rockers AC/DC at the Station Hotel, Melbourne, by his friend and the band's roadie, Steve McGrath. AC/DC had formed in 1973 and had released a debut album, High Voltage, earlier that year.[3] At the time, Malcolm Young was playing bass guitar in a four-piece line up alongside his brother Angus Young on lead guitar, Phil Rudd on drums and Bon Scott on vocals.[3][4] Evans had been working as a clerk in the pay section of the Postmaster-General's Department when he auditioned for AC/DC[5] and joined in March on bass guitar, allowing Malcolm to switch back to rhythm guitar.[3]

Evans learned all the songs from the original version of High Voltage overnight and did not meet Scott until the next gig. In April, with Evans, AC/DC's first TV appearance was on pop music series Countdown.[6] They played "Baby, Please Don't Go" (see Family Jewels) with Scott dressed as a school-girl.[6] Evans appeared in several promotional videos, including the "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" and "Jailbreak" film clips.[2] His playing is featured on their early albums T.N.T (1975), High Voltage (international version, 1976), Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976) and Let There Be Rock (1977); and only on the titletrack of the EP '74 Jailbreak (1984).[3][4]

In May 1977, after the recording of Let There Be Rock, Evans was sacked from AC/DC due to "musical differences" and personality clashes with Angus. He was replaced by Cliff Williams.[6] Scott stated in an interview in 1977 that one reason for replacing Evans was that Williams had several more years' experience playing bass guitar. Also, Malcolm Young said to Evans that they needed a bass player who could sing (to enhance the backing vocals). At the time, Evans stated, "Both me and the band are better for it".[7] Neither of the Young brothers has aired their views on the split, but the CEO of Epic Records, Richard Griffiths, who worked as a booking agent for AC/DC in the mid-1970s, stated, "[Y]ou knew Mark wasn't going to last, he was just too much of a nice guy".[7] Evans' last gig with the band was in Sweden on 22 April 1977 supporting Black Sabbath.

### After departing AC/DC

[edit]

After his departure from AC/DC, Evans played in a number of bands including hard rockers, Finch (a.k.a. Contraband), from June 1977 to 1979.[8][9] This was followed by short stints with Cheetah in 1980 and Swanee in 1982.[10][11] Evans joined the heavy metal group Heaven briefly in September 1983 on guitar as a replacement for Mick Cocks (ex-Rose Tattoo) following the recording of their "Where Angels Fear to Tread" album, but he left by July 1984.[12] Evans featured in promo videos for "Rock School" and "Where Angels Fear to Tread". The group had some high-profile support slots, including opening for Mötley Crüe on their 'Shout at the Devil' tour, Kiss on their 1983-84 'Lick It Up' tour, their first without make-up, as well as the Ian Gillan led Black Sabbath. Evans has performed with ex-Buffalo singer Dave Tice in various bands, Headhunter, Dave Tice Band and Tice & Evans.[13] He was a member of The Party Boys in the early 1990s.[14] Dave Tice and Mark Evans release their latest recording 'Brothers In Arms' through Lungata Records and MGM Distribution 27 October 2011.

When, in November 2002, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced that AC/DC were to be inducted in 2003, ex-members Mark Evans and Bon Scott were both on the list; however six weeks later Evans' name was dropped without explanation.[2][15] In January 2003, Peter Holmes, writing for The Sun-Herald, said that Evans was devastated by the reversal.[15] Paul Cashmere of Undercover noted that eight of the twenty-eight songs in AC/DC's 2000–2001 Stiff Upper Lip Tour setlist were originally recorded with Evans, Cashmere could not understand why the nomination was withdrawn "despite Mark's front-line position in the band's most important period".[16] According to AllMusic's Eduardo Rivadavia, Evans was "cruelly denied induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in 2003, along with his former band mates".[2] This situation may be linked to the long legal battle that Mark Evans waged against AC/DC, and which was finally settled out of court.[citation needed]

Mark Evans' autobiography, Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC was released in North America in December 2011 by Bazillion Points.[17][18]

In August 2017, it was announced that Evans had officially joined Rose Tattoo as their permanent bassist.[19] He recorded with Rose Tattoo on their 2020 release Outlaws.

## Selected discography

[edit]

* AC/DC – TNT (1975)
* AC/DC – High Voltage (1976)
* AC/DC – Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)
* AC/DC – Let There Be Rock (1977)
* AC/DC – '74 Jailbreak (1984)
* Finch – Nothing to Hide (1978)
* Contraband – Contraband (1979)
* Dave Tice & Mark Evans – Brothers in Arms (2011)
* Rose Tattoo \- Outlaws (2020)

## References

[edit]

General

* "Two Sides to Every Glory", Paul Stenning, 2005
* "Metal Hammer & Classic Rock present AC/DC", Metal Hammer magazine special, 2005
* McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Whammo Homepage". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 31 July 2011. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.

Specific

1. ^ Saulnier, Jason (30 September 2011). "Mark Evans Interview". Music Legends. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
2. ^ a b c d Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Mark Evans". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
3. ^ a b c d McFarlane, 'AC/DC' entry at the Wayback Machine (archived 6 August 2004). Archived from the original on 6 August 2004. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
4. ^ a b Holmgren, Magnus. "AC/DC". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
5. ^ Evans, Mark, Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC, Bazillion Points, 2011, p. 40.
6. ^ a b c Kimball, Duncan (2002). "AC/DC". Milesago: Australasian Music and Popular Culture 1964–1975. Ice Productions. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
7. ^ a b Walker, Clinton (1994). Highway to Hell - The Life and Times of AC/DC Legend Bon Scott. Chippendale, NSW: Pan Macmillan. pp. 142–143, 149, 154–157, 170–171, 191, 194, 196–198, 202, 208, 226, 233–237, 321. ISBN 0-7251-0742-1.
8. ^ McFarlane, 'Finch' entry at the Wayback Machine (archived 15 June 2004). Archived from the original on 15 July 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
9. ^ Holmgren, Magnus; Ellison, Mark. "Finch". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
10. ^ Holmgren, Magnus; Goldsmith, Glen. "Cheetah". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
11. ^ Holmgren, Magnus; Ashton, Gwyn. "Swanee". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
12. ^ McFarlane, 'Heaven' entry at the Wayback Machine (archived 19 April 2004). Archived from the original on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
13. ^ McFarlane, 'Buffalo' entry at the Wayback Machine (archived 15 June 2004). Archived from the original on 19 April 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
14. ^ Holmgren, Magnus; Meyer, Peer. "The Party Boys". Australian Rock Database. Magnus Holmgren. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
15. ^ a b Holmes, Peter (19 January 2003). "Hall's Dirty Deeds Rock AC/DC Man". The Sun-Herald. Fairfax Media. p. 45. Scanned copy of page available here Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
16. ^ Cashmere, Paul (February 2003). "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap for Mark Evans". Undercover. Undercover Media. Archived from the original on 20 March 2003. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
17. ^ "Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC, by Mark Evans". Archived from the original on 27 October 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
18. ^ "Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC : Mark Evans : 9781935950042". The Book Depository Ltd. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
19. ^ "Former AC/DC Bassist Mark Evans Joins ROSE TATTOO". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 6 August 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Interview \- Life Matters, ABC Radio National, 4 August 2011: audio
* Interview - Conversations, ABC 702 Sydney, 24 August 2011: mp3
* Interview - The Book Show, ABC Radio National, 21 September 2011: mp3
* Interview - Australian Rock Show Podcast, 22 August 2018: mp3

* v
* t
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Rose Tattoo

* Angry Anderson
* Paul Demarco
* Mark Evans
* Mick Arnold
* Ronnie Simmons

* Peter Wells
* Tony Lake
* Michael "Stork" Vandersluys
* Leigh Johnston
* Ian Rilen
* Mick Cocks
* Dallas "Digger" Royall
* Geordie Leach
* Chris Turner
* Neil Smith
* Paul DeMarco
* Dai Pritchard
* Dario Bortolin
* Randall Waller
* Jackie Barnes
* Lobby Loyde
* Robin Riley
* John Meyer
* Greg Jordan
* Scott Johnston
* Robert Bowron
* Tim Gaze
* Andy Cichon
* Jake Landt
* Rick Melick
* Steve King
* John Watson
* Bob Spencer
* Justin Ngariki

Studio albums|

* Rose Tattoo (1978)
* Assault & Battery (1981)
* Scarred for Life (1982)
* Southern Stars (1984)

Extended plays|

* "Born to Be Wild"
* "Black Eyed Bruiser"

Related articles|

* Discography
* Members
* 2006
* ARIA Hall of Fame

* v
* t
* e

AC/DC

* Angus Young
* Phil Rudd
* Cliff Williams
* Brian Johnson
* Stevie Young
* Matt Laug (touring)
* Chris Chaney (touring)

* Malcolm Young
* Bon Scott
* Chris Slade
* Mark Evans
* Dave Evans
* Larry Van Kriedt
* Colin Burgess
* Rob Bailey
* Peter Clack
* Tony Currenti
* Paul Matters
* Simon Wright

Studio albums|

* High Voltage (1975)
* T.N.T. (1975)
* High Voltage (1976)
* Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)
* Let There Be Rock (1977)
* Powerage (1978)
* Highway to Hell (1979)
* Back in Black (1980)
* For Those About to Rock We Salute You (1981)
* Flick of the Switch (1983)
* Fly on the Wall (1985)
* Blow Up Your Video (1988)
* The Razors Edge (1990)
* Ballbreaker (1995)
* Stiff Upper Lip (2000)
* Black Ice (2008)
* Rock or Bust (2014)
* Power Up (2020)

Compilations|

* Bonfire (1997)
* Volts (1997)
* Backtracks (2009)

Live albums|

* If You Want Blood You've Got It (1978)
* AC/DC Live (1992)
* Live from the Atlantic Studios (1997)
* Let There Be Rock: The Movie – Live in Paris (1997)
* Live at River Plate (2012)

EPs|

* '74 Jailbreak (1984)

Soundtracks|

* Who Made Who (1986)
* Last Action Hero (1993)
* Iron Man 2 (2010)

Singles|

* "Can I Sit Next to You, Girl"
* "Baby, Please Don't Go"
* "High Voltage"
* "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)"
* "T.N.T."
* "Jailbreak"
* "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
* "Love at First Feel"
* "Dog Eat Dog"
* "Let There Be Rock"
* "Whole Lotta Rosie"
* "Rock 'n' Roll Damnation"
* "Highway to Hell"
* "Girls Got Rhythm"
* "Touch Too Much"
* "Night Prowler"
* "You Shook Me All Night Long"
* "Hells Bells"
* "Back in Black"
* "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution"
* "Let's Get It Up"
* "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)"
* "Guns for Hire"
* "Nervous Shakedown"
* "Flick of the Switch"
* "Danger"
* "Shake Your Foundations"
* "Who Made Who"
* "Heatseeker"
* "That's the Way I Wanna Rock 'n' Roll"
* "Thunderstruck"
* "Moneytalks"
* "Are You Ready"
* "Big Gun"
* "Hard as a Rock"
* "Hail Caesar"
* "Cover You in Oil"
* "Stiff Upper Lip"
* "Safe in New York City"
* "Satellite Blues"
* "Rock 'n' Roll Train"
* "Big Jack"
* "Anything Goes"
* "Money Made"
* "Shoot to Thrill"
* "Play Ball"
* "Rock or Bust"
* "Shot in the Dark"

Video albums|

* AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (1980)
* Fly on the Wall (1985)
* Who Made Who (1986)
* AC/DC (1989)
* Clipped (1991)
* Live at Donington (1992)
* For Those About to Rock: Monsters in Moscow (1992)
* No Bull (1996)
* Stiff Upper Lip Live (2001)
* Family Jewels (2005)
* Plug Me In (2007)
* Live at River Plate (2011)

Tours|

* Highway to Hell Tour (1979–1980)
* Back in Black Tour (1980–1981)
* For Those About to Rock Tour (1981–1982)
* Flick of the Switch Tour (1983–1984)
* Fly on the Wall Tour (1985–1986)
* Who Made Who Tour (1986)
* Blow Up Your Video World Tour (1988)
* Razors Edge World Tour (1990–1991)
* Ballbreaker World Tour (1996)
* Stiff Upper Lip World Tour (2000–2001)
* Club Dates/Rolling Stones Tour (2003)
* Black Ice World Tour (2008–2010)
* Rock or Bust World Tour (2015–2016)
* Power Up Tour (2024–)

Related articles|

* Discography
* Songs
* Awards and nominations
* Members
* ACDC Lane
* Angus Bucks
* Tribute albums
* AC/DC (pinball)
* AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack

* Category
* Commons

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The Party Boys

* Graham Bidstrup
* Kevin Borich
* Paul Christie
* Harvey James
* James Reyne
* Richard Clapton
* Don Raffael
* Gil Matthews
* Richard Harvey
* Marc Hunter
* Robin Riley
* Matthew Wenban
* Graeme "Shirley" Strachan
* Joe Walsh
* Angry Anderson
* John Brewster
* Alan Lancaster
* John Swan
* Graham Bonnet
* Brad Carr
* Barton Price
* Brett Jacobson
* Hamish Angus
* Eric Burdon
* Hanuman Dass
* Mal Eastick
* Mal Logan
* Warren McLean
* Sam McNally
* Fergus Richardson
* Calvin Welch
* Ross Wilson
* Kevin Bennett
* Adrian Cannon
* Vince Contarino
* Mark Evans
* Stuart Fraser
* Alex Smith
* Dorian West
* Doc Neeson
* Steve Williams
* John Zak
* James Morley
* Bob Spencer
* Mark Gable
* Harry Brus
* Mick O'Shea
* Izzy Osmanovic
* Mick Skelton

Studio albums|

* The Party Boys (1987)

Live albums|

* Greatest Hits (of Other People) (1983)
* No Song Too Sacred (1984)
* You Need Professional Help (1985)

Singles|

* "He's Gonna Step on You Again"

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