Thomas Evans English musician Date of Birth: 05.06.1947 Country: Great Britain

Biography of Tom Evans

Tom Evans was an English musician known for his role as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Badfinger. Born on June 5, 1947, Evans began his musical career in the late 1960s as a member of a band called The Iveys, which later changed its name to Badfinger in 1969.

Evans gained recognition when Paul McCartney, personally chose him to sing the lead vocals on the song "Come and Get It," which was featured in the film "The Magic Christian" starring Ringo Starr and Peter Sellers. The song became a global hit and consistently topped the charts. Evans' success continued with Badfinger as they released several successful singles in the early 1970s, including "No Matter What," "Day After Day," and "Baby Blue." Evans played a crucial role in the recording of these songs, providing both lead and background vocals.

The pinnacle of Evans' career came with the composition "Without You," which he co-wrote with fellow band member Pete Ham. The song became a massive hit and is considered a classic in its genre. However, tragedy struck in 1975 when Ham committed suicide, leading to the dissolution of Badfinger.

Evans found a new musical home in the band called The Dodgers, along with former Badfinger member Bob Jackson. The Dodgers released three singles and toured the country before recording their debut album. However, Evans left the band shortly after, taking a break from music.

In 1977, Evans returned to the music scene and recorded two new albums with Joey Molland, a fellow Badfinger member. Their second album, "Say No More," spawned the single "Hold On," which reached number 56 on the Billboard charts. After the release of the second album, Evans and Molland went their separate ways, each forming their own variation of Badfinger.

In 1982, Evans reunited with Jackson and was later joined by original Badfinger drummer Mike Gibbins for a tour. However, the group faced numerous problems, including a disastrous tour in the United States where contractual disputes left them stranded without food, money, or a clear plan. Upon returning to England, Evans faced a $5 million lawsuit for breaching a contract.

Sadly, it seems that the immense psychological pressure caused by various problems ultimately led Evans to take his own life. On the evening of November 18, 1983, he argued with Joey Molland over the phone. The next morning, Evans' body was found hanging from a tree in his backyard. He left no suicide note, but his family believed the combination of pressure from Molland, former manager Bill Collins, Mike Gibbins, and American litigants became too much for him to handle. Some also speculate that the suicide of Pete Ham was a significant factor in Evans' depression, as he never fully recovered from the loss of his friend.

In 1993, a compilation album featuring Evans and his musician friend Rod Roach was released in the United Kingdom, showcasing their recorded works. Despite his untimely death, Tom Evans' contributions to Badfinger and the music industry continue to be remembered and appreciated.