Dave Evans Unveils Previously Unreleased AC/DC Recordings and Songs

AC/DC’s early recordings with original vocalist Dave Evans have long been a mystery to fans of Australian rock music. Speculation has circulated for over 50 years about the extent of Evans’ involvement in the band before the iconic Bon Scott took over in 1974.

In an exclusive new interview with Noise11, Dave Evans sheds light on what was actually recorded during those crucial initial months of AC/DC’s formation. According to Evans, five tracks were completed for what was intended to be the band’s debut album before the decision was made to change direction and re-record with Bon Scott at the forefront.

“We had five songs for the first album,” Evans reveals. These tracks included ‘Little Lover’, ‘Rock And Roll Singer’, ‘Soul Stripper’, and the two singles ‘Can I Sit Next To You Girl’ and ‘Rockin’ In The Parlour’. These singles, released in 1974, are the only official recordings featuring Evans as AC/DC’s lead singer, marking the beginning of the band’s journey to superstardom.

Interestingly, Evans discloses that the band was in the process of recording a sixth track, ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’, a song that Bon Scott would later rework after joining the group. Additionally, Evans shares that three original songs, ‘Stay For A While’, ‘Old Bay Road’, and ‘Midnight Rock’, were part of AC/DC’s early setlists but were never taken into the studio for recording. Evans clarifies that ‘Stay For A While’ and ‘Old Bay Road’ were written by Malcolm Young, while ‘Midnight Rock’ was penned by him.

While the original Dave Evans recordings remain a mystery, fans can catch a glimpse of his early work with AC/DC on the rare double live album ‘In The Beginning’, featuring unrecorded tracks performed during a rehearsal at a Kings Cross pub. This bootleg-style release provides a historical snapshot of AC/DC’s early days and offers a unique look at their evolving sound.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the original studio recordings, Dave Evans’ insights provide valuable information on AC/DC’s formative period. As interest in the band’s early years continues to grow, the revelations of their earliest creative ventures shed new light on the iconic group that redefined Australian hard rock.

As Dave Evans remains active in the music industry, touring internationally, and attracting a dedicated following, the legacy of AC/DC’s origins is celebrated. With the 50th anniversary of the Evans-led lineup approaching in 2024, fans can look forward to more discoveries and insights into the band that reshaped the landscape of rock music.