Former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans, who played on the band’s legendary Bon Scott-era albums, has offered a candid new reflection on his 1977 dismissal, admitting his own immaturity was the sole reason for his exit.
Speaking to “ABC News In-depth” as AC/DC kicks off their first Australian tour in a decade, Evans looked back at his time in the band (1975-1977) and his subsequent firing. While it was long reported that musical differences were to blame, Evans now takes full responsibility.
“The separation was difficult,” Evans recalled (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “I was the right guy for the band when I started. Looking back, there’s only one reason I didn’t continue on with the band, is ’cause I didn’t take it seriously enough. It all happened so easily that I probably didn’t give it its correct weight.”
Evans was a crucial member of the band during their explosive rise, performing on the classic albums High Voltage, Dirty Deeds Done Dirty Cheap, T.N.T., and Let There Be Rock.
Despite a history of legal disputes over royalties, Evans holds no bitterness and expressed profound admiration for Angus Young, who is now the only original member still performing with the group. Evans highlighted Young‘s unwavering dedication as the band’s driving force.
“Let’s not forget, he’s the only person on the face of the earth that’s been to every AC/DC gig,” Mark said. “He’s been there for every one of them. And there’s been some really, really tough times for him.”
Watching the band continue to thrive on their current stadium tour, Evans feels nothing but respect for what his former bandmate has achieved.
“What the band has achieved and now what Angus is carrying on, I love it to bits, man,” Mark stated. “I think it’s really special. And now they have the chance to pass it on to young people.”
This sentiment aligns with comments Evans made on the “Let There Be Talk” podcast in 2021, where he denied any resentment. “I like a philosophical attitude,” he said at the time. “Some people could get bent out of shape by something like that… but I look back and I’ve just nothing to put but good memories. A lot of love and respect for the band.”
Evans chronicled his whirlwind years inside the band in his 2011 memoir, “Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside Of AC/DC.”
