(Niagara Falls, ON) – Australia’s AC/DC has seen worldwide success for over 40 years with such hits as You Shook Me All Night Long, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Whole Lotta Rosie and more. What many music fans don’t know, unless they dig deep into the band’s history, is that there was a singer before Bon Scott. That singer’s name is Dave Evans.
Evans was part of the original line-up along with brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. During his 10-month stint as the band’s vocalist, AC/DC had a hit with the song Can I Sit Next to You, Girl? which was later re-recorded with Bon Scott. The band was enjoying success in Australia playing bigger venues and appearing on TV. But a falling out with the band’s manager at the time (who was not paying band members) resulted in Evans leaving the band for good. A short time later singer Bon Scott replaced Evans as AC/DC‘s vocalist.
Evans, in the meantime, went on to front Newcastle band Rabbit, replacing original singer Greg Douglas. Rabbit, who was enjoying its own success in Australia at the time, released six singles and two albums between 1975 and 1977 with Evans on vocals. Evans’ other bands over the years include Dave Evans & The Hot Cockerels, Thunder Down Under and Blood Duster.
In 2001, Evans released his first of three full-length solo albums – Hell of A Night (2001), Sinner (2006) and Judgement Day (2008). In 2013, Evans released an album called Revenge with John Nitzinger (Alice Cooper, Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake and Palmer).
After Revenge Evans released two EPs – one recorded in England called Nothing To Prove which was nominated for two awards at the British Music Awards and then one in December 2014 – a five-track EP called What About Tomorrow recorded in Texas, where Evans has been residing for the last 10 years.
Evans continues to tour worldwide. Tonight, Evans starts his Canadian tour with AC/DC cover band Thunderstruck. It’s his first time playing in Canada – ever. Evans will begin his six-date tour in Kingston, ON.
Music Life Magazine caught up with Evans to talk about his early beginnings with AC/DC and life after. Here is the interview:
JOEL – Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Before I get into what you’re up to these days I want to go back into your history because, obviously, it is part of who you are now. When did you get into music? At what age did you know you wanted to be a musician?
DAVE – Being born in Wales, music and singing was natural to the whole family. My father sang on stage in amateur shows when I was a kid and I sang in school concerts and the local eisteddfods (a Welsh festival of literature, music and performance). We did not get television until I was 15 as my father wanted us to concentrate on schooling and so we listened to music at home as part of the regular entertainment and the family would sing together.
JOEL – How old were you when AC/DC formed and who was in the band at the time?
DAVE – We were all in our early teens and early 20’s when the band formed and the five founding members were myself, Malcolm Young, Angus Young, Colin Burgess and Larry Van Kriedt.
JOEL – You were with AC/DC for about 10 months beginning in 1973 and in that time your guys recorded the hit Can I Sit Next to You Girl? At the time of your departure AC/DC was on tour in Australia and starting to do really well.
DAVE – The band formed in October 1973 with our first show in December of that year and I continued with the band until September 1974 and seeing a procession of bass players, drummers and managers come and go in that time. It was a packed 12 months of excitement, hard work and amazing achievements for such a new and young band.
JOEL – Did you ever regret leaving?
DAVE – I was very happy with the amazing and sudden success of what I had begun with the original members but by the time of my split the band was not the same and even though we had a hit record and on national TV and performing at the best venues I objected to being exploited and not being paid for shows as were the other members and it came to a head one night on tour and I spoke up for all of us to the manager at the time and it came to a physical confrontation which was pulled apart fairly quickly and I split from the band that night. The next morning after we had all sobered up it was decided that we all stick together until after the tour which was drawing full houses in all states and to have a final meeting to see if there could be a resolution for all of us. Unfortunately, nothing had changed and the tensions and ill feelings were even worse so it was decided that it was best for me to leave. The bass player and drummer followed shortly after followedby the sacking of the manager. It was something that was out of my control but I was not going to be exploited and treated out of hand so from that point on I have no regrets and would always stick up for my rights as anyone with gumption would.
JOEL – You were replaced by Bon Scott, who was a friend of yours. Looking back on it, was it hard leaving and watching Bon Scott take over and taking AC/DC to the next level of success?
DAVE – I was surprised when Bon got the gig as he was much older than us at 29 years of age which was from the previous era of the 60’s. He
didn’t go down well with the Sydney crowd at first but the band regrouped in Melbourne with their new manager and re-launched with a new army of Melbourne fans and it wasn’t long before the band became popular again Australia wide and then overseas which encouraged all of us in Australia to strive to do the same.
JOEL – You’ve continued your music with Rabbit and other projects. But it would be years, not until 2001, when you released your first of 3 solo albums, Hell of a Night. How come you waited so long to release your first solo album?
DAVE – After Rabbit split I put together Dave Evans and The Lineup after I had moved to Melbourne from Sydney and then after that Dave Evans and Hot Cockerel before securing a record deal with Reaction Records and putting together Dave Evans and Thunder Down Under for them as they liked that name. I released a self title album Dave Evans and Thunder Down Under. The nineties went into the grunge and really, for most of my contemporites, was a non event for music and very depressing but 2000 began a resurgence of more positive rock music and I decided to go solo at that time.
JOEL – Your latest release is with John Nitzinger for an album called Revenge (2013). Are you working on any new material for a solo project or with anyone else? And if so, what can we expect and when do you plan on releasing it?
DAVE – After the Revenge album I released another solo four track EP recorded in England called Nothing To Prove which was nominated for two awards at the British Music Awards and then released last December 2014 a five track EP called What About Tomorrow recorded in Texas.
JOEL – You currently reside in Texas. How long have you been there? Do you ever get back to Australia touring or just visiting? Do people still know who you are and your history?
DAVE – I have been based mostly in Texas for the past 10 years but have spent regular time in Australia as well to do shows and have just finished a Northern Territory Tour there.
JOEL – Looking back on your career, is there a time period or event that sticks out in your mind?
DAVE – I don’t think anyone would ever forget hearing their very first record being played on the mainstream radio stations for the first time especially on the hour every hour as my hit record with AC/DC Can I Sit Next To You, Girl? was being played. There are so many highlights throughout a long and wonderful career that just keeps me travelling to new countries and new audiences every year. Visiting Ukraine last year and performing there when all other international acts cancelled due to the conflict involving Russia was very special to me and to the country and I returned only over a week ago to rock them once again.
JOEL – Who do you look up to in music?
DAVE – The Beatles changed my life forever when I was still at school. John Lennon was the main member of the band who influenced me.
JOEL – You are now in Canada doing a tour. I understand this is your first ever Canadian tour? How come you haven’t played here yet? How long are you here for and where are you playing?
DAVE – I have had no or little exposure in Canada in the past so most of the rock fans have not experienced my music or had the opportunity to learn about my career as in many other parts of the world where I tour. Canadian music agency, Rock N Entertainment, got in touch with me and invited me to tour Canada and I was very happy to accept as I was on my way back to Texas after my recent Ukraine tour and this fitted nicely before heading back to Gun Barrel City.
JOEL – You are playing with tribute band Thunderstruck. What can fans expect? Do you play mostly your own material (from AC/DC and post-AC/DC)? Do we get to hear Can I Sit Next To You, Girl? Do you play later AC/DC material? If so, what songs do you like to play?
DAVE – Yes, Thunderstruck will be my support act and then I hit the stage with my Canadian Badasses to perform my own Badass Rock plus the early Dave Evans era AC/DC songs like Can I Sit Next To You, Girl?, Rock n Roll Singer, Rockin’ In the Parlour and a couple of Bon Scott songs like Whole Lotta Rosie and Let There Be Rock.
JOEL – Do you have any other plans while you’re in Canada? Will this be your first time seeing Niagara Falls? What are you looking forward to most while you’re here?
DAVE – Yes, looking forward to seeing as much of Canada as I can while I am here. I have been here before on holidays some time ago and visited Toronto and Niagara Falls as a tourist and can’t wait to be there again.
JOEL – Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. Is there anything else you would like to add or plug?
DAVE – For all fans of real rock come to the shows and rock your blocks off with me and enjoy a meet and greet and enjoy a night that you’ll never forget.
Special thanks to Dave Evans for this interview. You can catch Evans on his first-ever Canadian tour at one of the following venues and dates:
July 10th: Overtime Sports Bar and Grill – Kingston, ON
July 11th: Le Maison Tavern – Cornwall, ON
July 16th: Harbour Inn – Owen Sound, ON
July 17th: Norma Jeans – London, ON
July 18th: Neighbours Bar – Niagara Falls, ON
July 24th: Rustic – Sarnia, ON
Connect with Dave Evans online: (Website) (Facebook)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyMmVBHTPhw
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