Malcolm “Mal” Evans is best known as the road manager, assistant, bodyguard and friend of The Beatles.
Evans separated from his wife in 1973, and subsequently moved from the UK to Los Angeles, where John Lennon had moved to live with May Pang after his own separation from Yoko Ono. Here’s a photo of Mal a few years before his death with John Lennon and May Pang.
Before his death Evans was working on a book of memoirs called Living The Beatles’ Legend, which he was supposed to deliver on 12 January 1976. Friends said that Evans was depressed about his separation from his wife Lil Evans — who had asked for a divorce before Christmas — although at the time he was already living with new girlfriend Fran Hughes, in a rented duplex at 8122 W. 4th Street in Los Angeles at this location below.
On January 5, 1976, Evans he was so despondent that Fran Hughes phoned his collaborator on his book, John Hoernie, and asked him to visit them. Hoernie saw Evans “really doped-up and groggy”, and Evans told Hoernie to make sure that he finished Living The Beatles’ Legend. Hoernie helped Evans up to an upstairs bedroom, but during an incoherent conversation Evans picked up a 30.30 air rifle. Hoernie struggled with Evans, but Evans (being much stronger) held onto the weapon.
Hughes then phoned the police and told them that Evans was confused, had a gun, and was on valium. Four policemen arrived and two of them, David D. Krempa and Robert E. Brannon, went up to the bedroom. The police report stated that as soon as Evans saw the policemen he pointed the air rifle at them. The officers repeatedly told Evans to put down the rifle (which they did not know was an air rifle) but Evans constantly refused. The police fired six shots, of which four struck Evans, killing him instantly. Evans was cremated on 7 January 1976, in Los Angeles. None of The Beatles attended his funeral, but Harry Nilsson and other friends attended. Evans’ ashes were sent by post back to England, but were misplaced and lost in the postal system.
Upon learning of the lost remains, John Lennon joked by saying,
“They should look in the dead letter file”
Here is a nice remembrance to Mal Evans in the pages of the George Harrison “Harrison Alliance” magazine.
Why didn't any of the Beatles show up to his funeral?
anyone know?
here’s what someone’s opinion is…either way I think they should have attended…
None of the Beatles were in the habit of attending funerals. They also may not have been able to get away from their schedules to attend, or may not have wanted to risk bumping into each other at Mal’s service. (There were still some hard feelings between them, with their business partnership’s dissolution the year before.)
seriously! that's weak!
No…they really hated each other at that time!
Take my word for it. They were extremely angry but were in communication with each other. Also, it would have caused a circus for fans and reporters to upset the funeral.
If George or John were alive I would ask why they never gave him a raise. I would ask Paul but he is cheap, and he has a temper, which I have not really been on the other side of but he did keep me out of a party once while I was not even attending.
Ringo is just as bad, The first two are gentler in their answers.
Maybe toward those he finds more interesting, friends, other musicians, and so forth, he's just great. If he were obligated to respond to every nosy reporter he would end up spending every waking moment of the rest of his life answering idiotic questions over and over.
At last! Someone who understands! Thanks for posnitg!
Earth to Dave L.: Get a life, dude.