Mark Evans

Mark Whitmore Evans is an Australian musician, best known as the bass guitarist for AC/DC from 1975 to 1977. He played on four of the band's classic albums: T.N.T., High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and Let There Be Rock. Today he is the bassist for the hard rock band Rose Tattoo, and he has also performed with Finch, Cheetah, Swanee, Heaven, and The Party Boys.

Evans has carved out a lasting legacy in rock history, not just for his time with AC/DC but for his continued presence on stage. He turned 70 in March 2026, and fan communities still celebrate his birthday each year. His autobiography, Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC, hit shelves in December 2011, giving fans a firsthand look at life inside one of rock's biggest bands. [edit]

Mark Evans grew up in Melbourne, Australia, where he developed an early passion for music. Before joining AC/DC, he worked as a clerk in the pay section of the Postmaster-General's Department. He had been playing bass for only about a year before his big break, having originally started on guitar.

In early 1975, his friend Steve McGrath, who was AC/DC's roadie and a former football teammate, introduced him to the band at the Station Hotel in Melbourne. At that time, AC/DC was a four-piece with Malcolm Young on bass, Angus Young on lead guitar, Phil Rudd on drums, and Bon Scott on vocals. Evans was told they were looking for a guitarist, but when he met them, it was clear they needed a bass player instead.

He took home a copy of their debut album High Voltage, which had just been released in Australia, and learned every track overnight. The next night he returned, auditioned, and was invited to a Tuesday gig. He only realized he'd been hired when he showed up straight from his construction job and was told to get on stage and tune up. He joined the band in March 1975, allowing Malcolm Young to switch back to rhythm guitar. [edit]

Evans' tenure with AC/DC spanned just over two years, but it left an indelible mark on rock history. He played on four albums: T.N.T. (1975), High Voltage (1976), Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976), and Let There Be Rock (1977). He also appeared in the promotional videos for "It's a Long Way to the Top" and "Jailbreak." The band toured extensively across the UK and Europe during his time, though his off-stage visibility was modest.

In June 1977, Evans was dismissed and replaced by Cliff Williams. After leaving, he played with several other bands, sometimes on lead guitar, including Finch (also known as Contraband), Cheetah, Swanee, Heaven, and The Party Boys. He is currently the bassist for Rose Tattoo.

Beyond performing, Evans has worked with Rockstar School of Music in Leichhardt, developing an education module called "The Bassics" that teaches rock bass fundamentals, including how to play iconic AC/DC and Rose Tattoo songs. He released his autobiography, Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC, in December 2011. [edit]

Evans is often described as "the ultimate odd man out" in AC/DC's story, the first casualty of the band's grueling path to stardom. He has spoken candidly about his time with the band, recalling vivid stories, including an incident where hippies at a gig went nuts cheering for Angus Young. His autobiography aimed to give fans the inside story and set the record straight. AC/DC fan communities still celebrate his birthday each year, showing a lasting affection for his contributions. [edit]

Mark Evans holds no current placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings or any scope-specific top lists as of August 2026. While his tenure with AC/DC remains a cornerstone of hard rock history, the iFANN evaluation engine has determined he does not currently secure a ranked position among the world's most famous individuals. His legacy is defined by presence rather than a numerical standing in contemporary fame metrics.

Fans who revere Mark Evans do so under the broad banners of "AC/DC fans" or "Hard Rock fans," with no formal, official name documented for a specific subgroup dedicated solely to him. Unlike modern acts with organized stan cultures, the community celebrating Evans identifies through their shared love of the band's early era. There are no records of fan-funded projects, birthday billboards, or charity drives exclusively bearing his name. Following his departure from the band, Evans remained largely out of the public eye until his memoir arrived in 2011. Though he occasionally appears on podcasts like The Aquarian and Blabbermouth, he maintains a low-key profile without active meet-and-greet campaigns or ritualistic gatherings unique to his person. The affection shown by the community manifests in annual birthday celebrations within broader fan circles rather than structured fandom events.[edit]

During his time with AC/DC, Mark Evans utilized a Gibson Ripper bass on T.N.T. and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, switched to a Rickenbacker 4001 for the Jailbreak recordings, and used Fender Precision basses for all subsequent work. He once described playing alongside Malcolm Young and Phil Rudd as a dream scenario, famously noting that if one cannot play bass with those two, they should consider a new career path. Despite his contributions, Evans was denied induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, cementing his status as the first casualty of the band's rise to stardom.

A persistent legend surrounds his exit from the group in mid-1977. For decades, the story circulated that the Young brothers fired him for lacking a "rock star" attitude or drive. However, Evans himself clarified this narrative in recent interviews, stating the true reason was simply that he did not take the gig seriously enough. He admitted to being young and unprepared for the rigors of touring, effectively debunking theories of internal feuds or substance abuse at the time. Another recurring detail involves his height; standing around 5'6", he felt like the "tall man" when sharing the stage with the shorter Angus and Malcolm Young, an inside joke often cited regarding the band's dynamic.[edit]

Public information about Evans' family is scarce. He has kept his personal life private, and no details are available about his parents, siblings, or his own family. He has mentioned being a team player, which hints at a collaborative upbringing, but specifics remain out of the public eye. [edit]

Key figures in Evans' professional life include Steve McGrath, the friend and AC/DC roadie who introduced him to the band, and his former bandmates Malcolm Young, Angus Young, Phil Rudd, and Bon Scott. Cliff Williams replaced him in AC/DC. Later, he collaborated with Luke Edwards at Rockstar School of Music. [edit]

Mark Evans has kept his personal life out of the spotlight. Public records show no documented romantic relationships, marriages, or partnerships. He has focused his public narrative on his music career, and as of 2026, his relationship status remains unknown. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Mark Evans' net worth at $5 Million. This figure reflects a steady career in rock music spanning five decades, encompassing his work as a touring and recording musician with Rose Tattoo and various other groups. Royalties from his foundational time with AC/DC continue to generate income due to the enduring popularity of albums like T.N.T. and Let There Be Rock. Additional revenue streams include sales from his autobiography, Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC, and his educational initiatives with the Rockstar School of Music. While his period with AC/DC was brief, the longevity of his musical output ensures financial stability across multiple eras of his life.[edit]