Died On This Date (May 6, 2009) Ean Evans / Lynyrd Skynyrd; The Outlaws
themusicsover Ean Evans
September 16, 1960 – May 6, 2009
Ean Evans was most recently the bassist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, having joined the band in 2001, replacing Leon Wilkeson who had recently passed away. Evans started playing the guitar at 15 and in no time he was gigging around the southeast in various cover bands. He later switched to bass. In 1988 he was asked to join the Outlaws by Hughie Thomasson. Thomasson eventually folded the group to join Lynyrd Skynyrd. Wilkeson followed in 2001. He was diagnosed with cancer in late 2008 and died of the disease on May 6, 2009.
Thanks to Ed Maxin for the assist.
Member of the 
Jon Blank was the bassist for Washington DC area metal band, Rezin. In recent months he was playing on a project for Scott “Wino” Weinrich. A band on the rise, Rezin has been building a fan base along the mid-Atlantic coast due to their live shows and airplay on area hard rock stations. Blank died of a an apparent drug overdose on May 2, 2009.
Hide Matsumoto was the guitarist for popular Japanese hard rock band, X Japan from 1987 to 1997. As a child, Matsumoto learned several instruments, the bass, guitar, clarinet and trumpet. Ater spending most of the ’80s going to cosmetology school and playing in another band or to, Matsumoto helped revive Japan X who had been on hiatus for a few years. He also had some success with a few solo albums during this period. After a night of drinking, Matsumoto was found hanging from a twisted towel in his apartment. His death was officially ruled a suicide, but friends and family insist he died accidentally using a method of pain relief akin to traction for his sore back and shoulder. His funeral drew over 50,000 fans.