Dave Evans

Dave Evans originally arrived in Australia from Carmarthen Wales, aged five, and settled in North Queensland with his family.

After forming his first band In Session in Charters Towers when he was seventeen he moved to Sydney where he helped form a band (no name yet!) with Malcolm Young, Colin Burgess and Larry van Kriedt – a week later Malcolm’s younger brother Angus joined. Malcolm and Angus’ sister-in-law Sandra came up with the name AC/DC – to signify power and energy – and so one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever was born!

AC/DC

AC/DC’s first gig was at Chequers Nightclub in Sydney on New Years Eve 1973 and the band went on to attract a strong live following in the next few months before recording their first single – Can I Sit Next To You Girl b/w Rocking In The Parlour.

At this time Angus started wearing his now famous schoolboy uniform and with their single racing up the national charts AC/DC undertook a grueling tour beginning at the Sydney Opera House and then playing to packed houses all around Australia. Life on the road is tough for any band and frictions and egos increased steadily until a punch-up between Evans and their manager made life on tour unbearable – and a split between Evans and AC/DC became inevitable. Bon Scott was a friend of Malcolm and Angus’ elder brother George Young (a member of the legendary Easybeats – Friday On My Mind – and a well-known Australian record producer with Harry Vanda) and had seen the band perform in Adelaide. He agreed to join AC/DC, by this stage one of the most promising, new and exciting rock bands in Australia, and he and the band went on to rock and roll immortality as one of the biggest bands in the world.

Rabbit

After parting ways with AC/DC Dave Evans moved to Newcastle just north of Sydney and joined up and coming hard rock outfit Rabbit in early 1975. Rabbit were already the number one rock band in Newcastle and the surrounding area and Dave had seen them performing at Chequers nightclub in Sydney and was impressed with their confronting stage presence. It wasn’t long until they had signed with CBS Records and recorded their first album “Rabbit” which had some success. In 1976 they recorded the album “Too Much Rock And Roll” and with their appearances on the numerous television pop/rock shows this album launched them into national popularity. Rabbit were described as frenetic, violently hedonistic and Dave himself was described as savagely heterosexual. Rabbit after-show parties were always wild affairs and popular with friends, fans, and groupies.

The “Too Much Rock And Roll” album was then distributed in Japan, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Holland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Although sales were steady Rabbit did not tour these countries as two members called it quits after a grueling three month Australian tour. The band continued after adding a new drummer and released the single “Let Me” but it wasn’t the same feeling without the two original members and the band folded in 1978.

Thunder Down Under

Dave Evans and Thunder Down Under was formed in 1984 and he signed with independent label Reaction Records and released the album – Dave Evans & Thunder Down Under..

After Dave Evans and Thunder Down Under split a couple of years later, Dave pursued an acting career with roles in small production Australian films plus working in live theatre.

In early 2000 Dave was invited to be a special guest for Melbourne AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck for their 20th anniversary memorial gig for Bon Scott. This special occasion was recorded live and A Hell of a Night was released through Perris Records.

Dave has since performed in Europe and the USA as a solo artist.

His classic rock album, SINNER, was released to worldwide critical acclaim and the track “Sold My Soul To Rock n Roll” was nominated at the 2007 LA Music Awards.

JUDGEMENT DAY has now been released also receiving great reviews !!!

2008 saw new management with Dave engaging Anita Donlon (Founder Independent Musos Network Inc and National Chairperson of Music Managers Forum (Aust). Daves new management team has seen Dave tour Australia and release albums in the country that gave Dave his start in ROCK!

Dave has of recent years been based in Dallas, Texas and is currently touring Australia.

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