Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist Ean Evans Dies
- Posted on May 7th 2009 2:00PM by Benjy Eisen
- Comments (73)
Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Ean Evans passed away this week after losing "a valiant battle with an aggressive form of cancer," according to a statement issued Wednesday by the band. A southern rocker by birthright (raised in Georgia before moving to Mississippi), Evans joined Skynyrd in 2001, following the death of original bassist Leon Wilkeson. Evans was a member of the Outlaws before being called up to Skynyrd as the replacement for one of his heroes and greatest influences. In addition to his full-time status in Skynyrd, he had also more recently formed a side-project with Bobby Capps of .38 Special called EVANSCAPPS.
Lynyrd Skynyrd are survivors, having remained a band following a 1977 plane crash that killed three members, with additional deaths in the years that followed. In January, keyboardist Billy Powell passed away. At the time, the band continued to soldier onward as they've always done following the death of a band member; Lynyrd Skynyrd is currently scheduled to tour with Kid Rock throughout the summer, and the band has European dates beginning May 20 in Finland.
Dearly Departed Musicians
Vern Gosdin April 29, 2009: The country hit-maker, best known for songs like 'I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)' and 'I'm Still Crazy,' died in Nashville from complications due to a stroke.
Chuck Krall / Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Rev. Timothy Wright, April 23, 2009:The two-time Grammy-nominated gospel singer died following a July car crash that took the lives of his wife and his grandson.
Mark Q. Murray, AP
David "Pop" Winans, April 9, 2009: The gospel music patriarch -- BeBe and CeCe are his kids -- was twice nominated for Grammys, in 1989 for his album with wife Delores, pictured, and again in 1999 for a solo album. He died at a Nashville hospice, seven months after suffering a heart attack and stroke.
Arnold Turner, WireImage / Getty Images
Bud Shank, April 2, 2009: The alto saxophonist and flutist died at age 82. He was most famous for his work with acts like the Mamas and the Papas and his flute work can be heard on their song 'California Dreamin'.'
GAB Archive / Redferns / Getty Images
Hal Durham, March 29, 2009: He was a fixture on the Grand Ole Opry stage, working at the famed country music institution for 32 years. He was 77.
Donnie Beauchamp, Gaylord Entertainment / AP
Dan Seals, March 25, 2009: The singer, who scored a number of pop and country hits, died at 61 of leukemia. Seals was half of the pop duo, England Dan and John Ford Coley, best known for the ballad, 'I'd Really Love to See You Tonight.'
Beth Gwinn, Retna
Uriel Jones, March 24, 2009: One of the original members of the Funk Brothers, a Motown group that played with Marvin Gaye and The Temptations, Jones died after suffering complications from a heart attack. He was 74.
Tabatha Fireman, Redferns / Getty Images
Darnell "King Tut" Brittingham, March 18, 2009: The rapper most notable for his association with Harlem hip-hop group Dipset took his own life during a confrontation with police. He was 23.
Courtesy of MySpace.com
Hank Locklin, March 8, 2009: For half a century, the Grand Ole Opry star masterfully fused the Honky Tonk and Nashville sounds, making timeless hits like 'Please Help Me I'm Falling' and 'Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.' Locklin died at his home in Alabama of undisclosed causes. He was 91.
Frank Driggs Collection / Getty Images
Randy Bewley, Feb. 25, 2009: The Pylon guitarist suffered a heart attack while driving. His Athens, GA band inspired many others, including R.E.M., with their distinctive, danceable pop sound.
Chris McKay, Retna





Reader Comments(1 of 4)
pledge2rockat 5-07-2009
Rock In Peace man
robertleewadeat 5-07-2009
Seen them in 77,when I was sixteen and I still feel that this is the greatest rock band hands down!!!RIP, forever a freebird!
OH' GREAT ONE !!at 5-07-2009
rest in peace brother! off to that giant confederate army in the sky...
NICOLENANINAARTat 5-07-2009
RIP ,NN
whispersofwoodsat 5-07-2009
:O(..Our generation of the best rock music ever is starting to dwindle.. That band was one of my favs!!! RIP
hopeat 5-07-2009
The south will rise
whispersofwoodsat 5-07-2009
:O(..The Generation of the best rock bands are slowly dwidling. One of my Favs! RIP dude
Tony Davisat 5-07-2009
Man, that band is just cursed. Kinda like being in Spinal Tap and being the drummer. R.I.P My Man. Now you can rock with a really great band!
Jim Holowachat 5-07-2009
Loved ya with the Outlaws and of course with Skynard. Hope you, Ronnie, Hughie, Leon, Billy, Duane and all the good ole boys are jamming and having a good time with the Lord. Gator
Joyceat 5-07-2009
Rest in peace Ean, you're a Freebird now.
prodowgiat 5-07-2009
God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!
May you and your music live on forever...
Have a great reunion on the Other Side
mcicepopat 5-07-2009
Another great member joins that southern rock and roll heaven . Play on my man, play on .
rohrscheibcrohat 5-07-2009
hmm heaven is starting a new club
Steveat 5-07-2009
when it's your time to go, it's your time. god has a reason he left, only he knows. i survived a HORRIBLE wreck, my buddy died. god takes you, when it's your time. it was his time. R I P.
pwilli1465at 5-07-2009
Caught Skynyrd this past Friday at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi. Great show, great band. This group has persevered in spite of their many great tragedies. Rock on, brothers. The South will rise again.
airmaxprezat 5-07-2009
I saw skynyrd in early 77 in louisville ky all the original members they remain the best band and show i have ever seen thanks for the memories
Artistic work'sat 5-07-2009
There goes another brother gone to blue heaven leaving us to our own blue hell with out them. Hey God change the fuse's because were about to make some noise up there singing Halalu ya and one more for the road brothers good byeeeee.
Gary Glidddddd
gluvsuat 5-07-2009
That is so sad everyone is dying :(
http://www.pfisterfarm.com
STWoodworthat 5-07-2009
If I hear Free Bird one more time today, I'm gonna take a hostage!
Wayneat 5-07-2009
STWoodworth
at 5-07-2009If I hear Free Bird one more time today, I'm gonna take a hostage!
All you have to do is jab a pencil 6" into each ear and we'll all be better off.