Dave Evans, the original lead singer of AC/DC and frontman of legendary Newcastle rockers Rabbit, joins Paul Cashmere for an extensive and revealing interview celebrating the release of Defenders Of Rock, Rabbit’s first new album in decades and the band’s official 50th-anniversary record.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Dave takes us back to the mid-70s when Rabbit were one of the most hard-working touring acts in Australia, appearing on Countdown, Sounds Unlimited and every major national music program. Despite drawing packed crowds nationwide, their chart success was restricted when several Australian states refused to play their records-an issue compounded by the rise of disco in 1977, which pushed many live rock bands off the road.
Evans also explains the deeply interconnected world of Australian rock at the
time: Velvet Underground backing Ted Mulry, the formation of TMG, Rabbit’s signing to CBS, the early days of Albert Productions, and the historic ties between Rabbit, AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and the Newcastle scene.
Dave provides rare insights into his tenure with AC/DC, detailing the original recordings of Little Lover, Rock And Roll Singer, Soul Stripper, and the early version of Baby Please Don’t Go performed with Angus Young on his shoulders. He also discusses the long-lost Kings Cross tape that became In The Beginning, the first ever live AC/DC recording.
Now living in Mexico and touring heavily through Latin America, Evans remains a prolific international artist, recording in Europe, Australia and the Americas. While Rabbit reunion shows are uncertain, he continues with new solo work on the way.
A must-watch deep-dive into Australian hard-rock history from one of its founding voices.
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