Ean Evans, Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist, Dead At 48

COLUMBUS, Miss. — Bassist Donald "Ean" Evans of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd has died after a battle with cancer.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant said Evans died Wednesday at his home in eastern Mississippi. He was 48.

In a statement posted on lynyrdskynyrd.com the band said, "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Ean Evans. Ean put up a valiant battle with an aggressive form of cancer and he will be sorely missed by family, friends and fans."

Evans was born in Atlanta, but moved to Columbus after marrying his wife, Eva. He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2001 and had been touring regularly with the band until being diagnosed with cancer in 2008, when he cut back on performances with the band.

Survivors include his wife and two daughters.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

"He was just one of those guys who was always a dreamer and always seeing ahead. And he was the most positive person I've ever met," Mike Chain, a guitarist who was close friends with Evans, told The Commercial Dispatch in Columbus, Miss.

The Jacksonville-based band was formed in 1966 by a group of high school students _ famously, it took its name from a physical education teacher they disliked, Leonard Skinner.

They released their first album, "Pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd." It became one of the South's most popular rock groups and gained national fame with such hits as "Free Bird," "What's Your Name" and especially "Sweet Home Alabama," which reached the top 10 on the charts in 1974. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

The band suffered a tragic loss on Oct. 20, 1977, when their chartered plane crashed in a swamp near McComb, Miss. The crash claimed the lives of six people, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. Keyboard player Billy Powell survived the plane crash that killed three band members. He died in January.

In 2001, bassist Leon Wilkeson died in his sleep in a hotel room near Jacksonville, Fla., and Chain said he was with Evans the night he got hired by the band.

"We were spending New Year's Eve together when this Skynyrd thing was happening," Chain said. "It didn't look like it was going to happen. But he just set his feet in the ground ... and was ready to stand up and fly to the moon. And he did."

Comments

[Palemoon]

Sad to hear, as a lover of music I am glad to hear that he at least got to live out one of his dreams. Being in a bigtime rock band and going on tour with them. In essence, becoming a rock star in his own right. Sadly, that came to an end, but I'm sure he's sitting in on the big jams up in the big house. Condolescences and prayers to all his family, friends and fans.

[ReportThis]

Dead band walking.

[ladylove114]

This band has had more than its share of bad luck in my state of Mississippi. I remember being a freshman in college when their plane crashed in McComb. Years later the surviving members still talk of how the local people helped pull them from the plane and get them medical help. They were especially grateful to the staff at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. I'm just sorry that there was no cure for this man. May you rest in peace.

[Khirad]

Bassists deserve more love, rest in peace.

[the-lexicon]

truer words, never spoken. amen.

lord I'm comin' home to you.

lexicon

[TakingBackTheUSA]

Amen. Godspeed and Farewell Ean.

[cloudminder]

rip, god bless

[singlemalt]

Cancer takes another one--have we had enough yet?

We can no longer be silent and accept cancer as part of life.

Let's get loud and demand that government and private industry work harder to end
this terrible disease.

Cure Cancer Now!

[DogTown]

"Cure Cancer Now"

Stop using cleaning products, pesticides, and laundry products that are not free and clear of toxins and fragrances. Stop using perfumes which are now all made from dangerous petrol chemicals that are absorbing into your glands. Don't eat processed foods! Buy clothes without formaldehyde dyes to color most of them today that are dyed in china with these dangerous chemicals.

[WilliamProc]

Encase yourself in Carbonite.

[leeman79]

Leon Wilkerson was the bassist I remembered.

[cungar]

"Sweet home Alabama"
Play that dead band's song
Turn those speakers up full blast
Play it all night long

Warren Zevon
Play it all night long

[WilliamProc]

"Dead Man's Song" .

I really miss Warren. All my heroes are dead...

[1sparrow]

toin it up.

[Russn3]

Perhaps some stimulus $$ should go for a cancer cure. People are dropping like flies!

[bikerdude]

I co-sign that suggestion. We need to beat this horrible disease.

[lippp]

Just think where we might be if Bush and the right wing religious wrong had not prevented full support for stem cell research. England has recently reported developing a cure for macular degeneration through stem cells. And you can bet if a cure for cancer is found through stem cell research, Bush and his family will be the first in line for a cure should they need it.

[Mnemanth]

"The money's not in the cure. The money's in the medicine!"
Chris Rock

[Steve Sanders]

Man, that's the 2nd one this year.

RIP