Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Ean Evans has died in Mississippi at the age of 48. He had been suffering from cancer.
Evans was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and began playing music from the age of five. He started the guitar when he was fifteen and went on to play in a number of cover bands before starting his own group 'Cupid's Arrow'. This band achieved moderate success in the Atlanta area, but after recording more than fifty songs, Evans became a full time studio musician. He joined Floridian rock outfit Outlaws for a time, but moved on to Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2001 following the death of previous bassist Leon Wilkeson. He was, of course, one of a great many members of the band's constantly changing line up.
An announcement on Lynyrd Skynyrd's website says: "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 is survived by his wife and two daughters.