Evan Smith was born on March 26th, 1952 in Elmhurst, Illinois - the second of four children to Louis and Jean Smith. The Smith family moved to Arizona in 1962 where they resided in Paradise Valley. Evan attended Kachina Elementary School, and later Saguaro High School. Evan was in the first class of freshmen to enroll at Saguaro (Class of 1970) and was active in cross country, making art, and playing keyboards in various rock bands with friends and his brother, Dale Smith.
After graduating high school, he attended ASU where he completed a bachelor's degree in fine art, and excelled at math and music. He graduated from ASU with honors in 1974. During his college years, he played keyboards with many local Phoenix Rock bands like Gossip, as well as collaborating with well-known Punk groups in town.
After graduating from college, Evan moved to Los Angeles to pursue music professionally. He toured with Steppenwolf, and recorded and performed with many bands including: Berlin, The Wolf, Private Army and The Chris Gaffney Band. He also performed with his brother, Dale in a New Wave band called Killer Pussy. He was happiest performing and recording music, and loved being in a recording studio.
He married Lorin Evangelista in 1979. They had two children: Nicole Smith (1983) and Julian Smith (1989). Both of his children have carried on the LA music tradition and are both touring musicians.
Evan died unexpectedly in his home in Phoenix on September 8th, 2020 at 68 years old. He is survived by his loving children, as well as his older sister Becky Randolph, younger sister Kathy Smith, niece Mara Smith, and his many friends.
Lyle Beitman
Evan Smith was born on March 26th, 1952 in Elmhurst, Illinois - the second of four children to Louis and Jean Smith. The Smith family moved to Arizona in 1962 where they resided in Paradise Valley. Evan attended Kachina Elementary School, and later Saguaro High School. Evan was in the first class of freshmen to enroll at Saguaro (Class of 1970) and was active in cross country, making art, and playing keyboards in various rock bands with friends and his brother, Dale Smith.
After graduating high school, he attended ASU where he completed a bachelor's degree in fine art, and excelled at math and music. He graduated from ASU with honors in 1974. During his college years, he played keyboards with many local Phoenix Rock bands like Gossip, as well as collaborating with well-known Punk groups in town.
After graduating from college, Evan moved to Los Angeles to pursue music professionally. He toured with Steppenwolf, and recorded and performed with many bands including: Berlin, The Wolf, Private Army and The Chris Gaffney Band. He also performed with his brother, Dale in a New Wave band called Killer Pussy. He was happiest performing and recording music, and loved being in a recording studio.
He married Lorin Evangelista in 1979. They had two children: Nicole Smith (1983) and Julian Smith (1989). Both of his children have carried on the LA music tradition and are both touring musicians.
Evan died unexpectedly in his home in Phoenix on September 8th, 2020 at 68 years old. He is survived by his loving children, as well as his older sister Becky Randolph, younger sister Kathy Smith, niece Mara Smith, and his many friends.