Ean Evans

Donald "Ean" Wayne Evans (September 16, 1960 – May 6, 2009) was the bassist for Lynyrd Skynyrd from 2001 until his death.

He joined the band following the death of Leon Wilkeson.

Life and career

Evanswas born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He moved to Columbus, Mississippi, after marrying his wife, Eva. He started in music at the age of five, playing trumpet and having an orchestral background until his teen years. Picking up the guitar at 15, soon he was playing the southeastern rock circuit with various cover groups.

A few years later he switched to bass so as to bring fellow guitarist into the band. In the 1980s he played bass for a rock band called "...Five Miles High", along with Mike Reynolds(drummer), Reuban Lace (guitarist), Carl Brown (keyboardist), Del Stockstill (guitar). Five Miles High played venues from Georgia to Kentucky and all over the south east. Five Miles High was rated in the top 10 rock bands of the 80's in a Mississippi radio station contest. Around the mid 80's Five Miles High came to their end. Leaving each member to go their separate ways.

He studied the styles and techniques of John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Geddy Lee (Rush) and Leon Wilkeson (Lynyrd Skynyrd) giving him an aggressive approach to the bass guitar.

Picked up by his manager J.J. French (Twisted Sister), he formed his first original band "Cupid's Arrow". They became quite popular in the Atlanta area. After composing and recording over 50 songs, Ean became a full-time studio musician.

It was during this time he was called to join the Outlaws by leader Hughie Thomasson, who showed him worldwide touring experience. The Outlaws stopped touring when Hughie was called to join Lynyrd Skynyrd.

In 1997, Ean and ex-Halloween guitarist (1982–1988, 1997–2000) Rick Craig formed "Noon", which blends metal with southern rock. They released 1 album in 2002 and many other unreleased recordings exist and are subject to release.

Following the death of Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Leon Wilkeson, the call came to Ean to continue on for his fallen friend. He joined the current line up of Lynyrd Skynyrd on August 11, 2001, in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning his own chapter with the band.

Death

In late 2008 Evans was diagnosed with lung cancer, of which he died on May 6, 2009, at his home in Columbus, Mississippi. He is survived by his wife Eva and their two daughters, Sydney and Andrea.

An ailing Evans performed with Skynyrd one last time from a chair on April 19, 2009, at the Mississippi Kid Festival, organized in support of Ean Evans.

Lynyrd Skynyrd continued its 2009 tour with Robert Kearns on bass. He was followed by Johnny Colt from The Black Crowes.Johnny Van Zant asked audiences to pray for Evans.