This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2017) |
Thomas Evans (5 June 1947 – 19 November 1983) was an English musician. He is best known for his work as the bassist of the band Badfinger. He also co-wrote their 1970 song "Without You," which has been recorded by over 180 artists — most notably Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey. Evans died by suicide in 1983, one of two members to do so (the first being Pete Ham in 1975).
Tom Evans | |
|---|---|
 Evans (centre) in the 1970s | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Thomas Evans |
| Born | 5 June 1947[citation needed] Liverpool, England[citation needed] |
| Died | 19 November 1983 (aged 36) London, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1963–1983 |
| Labels |
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| Formerly of | Badfinger |
| Website | tomevans |
Badfinger
editThis section relies largely or entirely on a single source. (June 2024) |
In November 1969, the Iveys changed their name to Badfinger, and Paul McCartney of the Beatles gave the group a boost by offering them his song "Come and Get It", which he produced for the band. It became a featured track for the film The Magic Christian, which starred Ringo Starr and Peter Sellers. A third Magic Christian song, "Carry On Till Tomorrow" was co-written by Evans and Ham.[2]
Alongside Joey Molland, Evans played acoustic guitar on the 1971 John Lennon album, Imagine, including the single "Jealous Guy" released in 1985.[3] Evans' high-career moment was with his composition "Without You", a song co-written with bandmate Ham. The song became a No. 1 hit worldwide for Harry Nilsson and has since become a standard in the music industry.[2]
Evans and Molland went their separate ways after this second album[clarification needed] was released, and the two put together rival Badfinger touring bands in the US.[when?][2]
In 1982, Jackson rejoined Evans in the latter's version of Badfinger. Original Badfinger drummer Gibbins was also enlisted for Evans' band for one tour. After returning to Britain, Evans was sued for $5 million in damages for abandoning his touring contract.[2]
Personal life and death
editEvans was married to Marianne Evans,[4] and together they had a son, Stephen.[2]
Evans hanged himself in his garden on 19 November 1983, at the age of 36. He got into a dispute with former bandmate Joey Molland over royalties for the song "Without You" the previous evening.[5]
Discography
edit(with Badfinger, except where noted)
- Maybe Tomorrow (1969 as "The Iveys", Apple Records)
- Magic Christian Music (1970, Apple Records)
- No Dice (1970, Apple Records)
- Straight Up (1971, Apple Records)
- Ass (1973, Apple Records)
- Badfinger (1974, Warner Brothers Records)
- Wish You Were Here (1974, Warner Brothers Records)
- Airwaves (1979, Elektra Records)
- Say No More (1981, Radio Records)
- Over You: The Final Tracks (1993 as "Tom Evans with Rod Roach", Gipsy Records)
- Head First (2000, Snapper Music)
- 94 Baker Street (5 tracks by the Iveys) (2003, RPM Records)
- An Apple a Day (4 tracks by the Iveys) (2006, RPM Records)
- Treacle Toffee World (2 tracks by the Iveys) (2008, RPM Records)
- I Am Myself (2024, Y&T Music)
Evans also appeared as a guest artist on
- The Concert for Bangladesh (album)
- All Things Must Pass by George Harrison (album)
- "It Don't Come Easy" by Ringo Starr (single)
- Imagine by John Lennon (album)
Compositions of note
edit- "Maybe Tomorrow" (U.S. Billboard No. 67, Cash Box No. 51 by the Iveys[citation needed])
- "Carry On Till Tomorrow" (album track, co-written with Pete Ham, Magic Christian Music)[6]
- "Without You" (Billboard No. 1 by Harry Nilsson, No. 3 by Mariah Carey, No. 28 by Clay Aiken[citation needed])
- "Better Days" (album track, co-written with Joey Molland, No Dice)[7]
- "I Don't Mind" (album track, co-written with Joey Molland, No Dice)[7]
- "When I Say" (album track, Ass)[8]
- "Shine On" (album track, co-written with Pete Ham, Badfinger)[9]
- "Lost Inside Your Love" (by Badfinger, failed to chart[citation needed])
- "Hold On" (Billboard No. 56, Cash Box No. 67 by Badfinger[citation needed])
References
edit- ^ "Badfinger - Biography & History - AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ a b c d e Matovina, Dan. Without You: The Tragic Story of Badfinger. Google Books, 2000. Retrieved 18 September 2008
- ^ "imagine john yoko", John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Thames & Hudson Ltd (2018), page 196 ISBN 978-0-500-021842
- ^ Badfinger - Tom Evans marries Marianne
- ^ "Badfinger: last act in a rock'n'roll tragedy". The Independent. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- ^ "Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Review of Magic Christian Music". allmusic.com. 3 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Review of No Dice". allmusic.com. 19 September 2022.
- ^ "Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Review of Ass". allmusic.com. 8 March 2023.
- ^ "Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Review of Badfinger". allmusic.com. 3 March 2023.