Dave Evans: the story of AC / DC’s first singer and his fanaticism for Temperley, the rising club

The road of Dave Evans, founding singer of AC / DC along with brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, it does not always lead to hell, but to the heavenly heaven of the tribune of Temperley and the love for a neighborhood and a community; who from the south of the suburbs sheltered it as one more.

For those crazy and inexplicable reasons, the one who tramples the grass with the Ten shirt over his shoulders and the unmistakable rock star scarf covering his long hair, the one who walked into the club like everyone else and greeted everyone with a huge smile, far from being one more it is a living legend of universal heavy metal.

It is since December 1973 in Sydney, Australia, when together with the Young brothers they introduce themselves for the first time as AC / DC, and forever changed the history of the genre.

“Ours was a completely different time. There was no Internet and life was on the street, that was where the fun was. Those were more exciting times. But mainly we all wanted to be different, there were a lot of original and very, very good bands. Nobody wanted to look like anyone else, “says Dave Evans Clarioneseated on a plastic seat at Temperley Stadium, Alfredo Martín Beranger.

And he adds: “Not from the sound, not from the attitude, not from the looks. Everything was experimenting and looking for the best rock and roll. The albums were also unique. One band made five albums and they were completely different. Today everything seems similar, it is very difficult to differentiate them, when it seems that they are all looking for the same thing ”.

The neighbors are perhaps already getting used to the presence of this Welshman who grew up in Australia between 1973 and 1974 gave voice to the first formation of the legendary band, until the arrival of Bon Scott.

It may be that walking leisurely through Nueve de Julio to enter the club, receiving greetings and congratulations, is what pleases the person who has recorded universal successes Honey please don’t go. Here’s why it’s not surprising when it highlights: “Here they make me feel like one more”. But how does this cultural icon arrive in these lands?

A loose rocker in the south

A tour in Latin America brought him for the first time in 2018. The warmth of the Argentine public made, as always, the magic of him. He started settling in the country every time he came to the region. Here he not only felt loved (something that had to happen to him everywhere on the planet), but part of it, and perhaps that was precisely what sparked a different spark in him.

What he defined as a “great bond with the country”, not only for the reception of the public in his shows, but also for what he highlights as “a warm people”. In what he learned to appreciate bands like Rata Blanca and cultural landmarks like asado, tango and mate.

He put together a local band with which he toured various parts of the country. Which he has done in other countries as well. From those concerts with Latin musicians a live album was born, which he presented all over the world.

But that spark we were talking about turned into a fire two years later, when football (perhaps the mother of our passions) did its part: his Loma coach brought him on the pitch for the first time and there a love story with Temperley was bornthis humble National B.

On March 8, 2020 he attended a “Cele” match. against Belgrano de Córdoba, and although the result was only a draw in one, the welcome of the people and the spectacle of the stands taught him something he did not know, and he immediately captured him.

When my agent took me to the pitch, I was very happy with the atmosphere and the joy experienced. I felt very comfortable and I felt the comfort of people with me ”.

“That day (remember) was really great, I felt like a celebrity“And adds:” I was never a man to go to football stadiums. soccer. That’s why I wasn’t expecting that recognition here and when it happened it was something very beautiful. Like Mick Jagger, but not like him who brings bad luck, I’ve never seen him lose Temperley“.

When Dave remembers that afternoon, his deep blue eyes (they couldn’t be any other color) seem to light up. It comes from the seriousness with which a second ago I analyzed current music try a “Gasouuleerouu” court environmentit is released in the air like a war cry, while it seems to imagine the full stands as in a game or in a recital.

When the singer simulates the cry of the fans, some relatives accompany them clapping their hands. Immediately the musician takes something out of his jacket and shows it, like someone showing a lucky charm, or a war trophy: it is the honorary card that the institution has granted him in November last year.

At that moment, everyone burst into applause. That intimate, friendly vibe seems to turn him on a lot. The request for photos (which he always accepts with a smile) and the signs of affection when they see him arrive make you feel “part of a family”in which he highlights “a community in which a sense of belonging and affection reigns”.

Rock on the pitch and in life

Temperley is first and foremost a club that knows struggles and challenges. He went through bankruptcies, disaffiliations, auction requests, declines and promotions from the 90s to here, but always with a hopeful and combative gaze, in which Evans seems to see himself reflected.

“It’s a warrior club like me. Who has had good times and bad times; but always ahead, like warriors. I’ve been through many different moments in my career, but now we’re with Temperley and we’re better than ever. “

Evans says his beginnings weren’t easy, that in those years they “created something that didn’t exist” and that “it’s never easy”. He talks about feeling misunderstood and uniform to have suffered bullying in childhoodbut that “warriors” like him must “first learn to survive and then begin to grow”.

It is complete: “Today I am recognized as an international star, yet I work every day, every hour, around the world, recording songs. I don’t do it because I need it, but because I like to do it. People bring me songs, invite me to join them, and I enjoy it. I feel that I am reaping all that has been sown ”.

Its continuity in AC / DC

The only time the speech had any tension in the air was when he was asked if he imagines what would have happened if he had stayed in the band longer. To which he replied, “It’s hard to know why Scott went on and died. But it doesn’t matter, me I know I have a fantastic career where all I do is travel the world and seeing people happy in everything having fun with the songs ”.

Over the years Dave has become a rock globetrotter. He has trod the stages of all continents and has put together new bands that have enriched and enriched him.

He comments: “If I had continued (in AC / DC), I would also have known the planet, but my career has given me the opportunity to rock with musicians from all over the world and make many friends. We’re a community of musicians all over the world who are my rock boys, that’s a great thing. “

“I’m not saying AC / DC don’t see happy people too, of course. But AC / DC is not part of Temperley; I do”, He concludes masterfully.

From that 2018 to today Dave Evans has already come to the village five times, always from Lomas de Zamora and close to the “Gasolero”. The last time when he left Australia and with the pandemic still strong, they told him: “If you leave we don’t know if you can come in later”, but he didn’t care.

It’s time for the show

It’s just six in the afternoon and the July sun has already left the gallery. Dave Evans covers his shirt with the jacket he drew the license from. You have to prepare yourself for acoustic show tonight.

It doesn’t matter if it’s in a crowded stadium or for a small group of neighbors. The former AC / DC is preparing to give a great show. He is a professional and it shows. Before leaving the court, he makes an overview. Then he reminds his rep that he scored three goals for him and gives him his huge smile again, to quickly display the team crest.

As he goes through the tunnel, he returns to an idea in his head. Dream about doing a bigger show. This time on the pitch “so that everyone can be there”, he tells guitarist Germán Catelli, who has accompanied him since 2018 and will be alongside him on stage today.

They have to define the details of the song list, where they ensure that they will not only sound like the classics of the legendary Australian band, but also Rolling Stones and the Beatleswhich according to Dave “is the best band in history, far from the rest”.

While preparing the sound equipment, Evans and his guitarist start playing some songs from the Liverpool band. “It’s really good,” says the buffet, as he fills glasses with beer for the first curious.

Meanwhile, another of those present recalled that this Saturday, July 30, the 23 years of the famous ascent to Nacional B at the court of Platense, the first after bankruptcy. “A good way to celebrate,” she says.

Just over half of the start of the show is missing and a 45-year-old couple enters to take their seats. “We took 318, because they told us that today AC / DC play like they did in 1973,” jokes the man.

“It’s been too long, I’m happy to be back,” says the iconic song Back in the darkthat in a few minutes will blow up a rock and roll party in the club.

The small crowded buffet (more than 150 people) will take the body of those unforgettable Australian nights, where the history of music would change forever. This is what warriors like Dave and Temperley are like, they always come back for a little longerregardless of the difficulties, that’s why they understand each other so well.

wd