Zager and Evans
Zager and Evans was an American rock-pop duo active during the late 1960s and early 1970s, comprising Denny Zager (born February 14, 1944, Wymore, Nebraska) and Rick Evans (born January 20, 1943, Lincoln, Nebraska; died February 2018, Santa Fe, New Mexico).[2] They are best known for their 1969 No. 1 hit single "In the Year 2525", which earned them one-hit wonder status.
Zager and Evans
Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
1962–1971
- Denny Zager
- Rick Evans
- Danny Schindler
- Mark Dalton
- Paul Maher
- Dave Trupp
Later recordings[edit]
Zager and Evans are considered to be the archetypal one-hit wonder artists. Despite the success of "2525", the follow-up single, "Mr. Turnkey", failed to chart in the US and UK, as did subsequent releases. The duo is one of only acts (along with Magic!) to have a chart-topping hit on both sides of the Atlantic and never have another chart single in Billboard or the UK. Their third single, "Listen to the People", appeared on the Cashbox chart at #100, while "Mr. Turnkey"/"Cary Lynn Javes" (double A-side) and "Help One Man Today" both charted in Australia, at #86 and #94 respectively.
After the success of "2525", White Whale Records released an LP titled The Early Writings of Zager & Evans and Others featuring recordings of the Eccentrics on side one and a band called J.K. and Co., who had no connection to Zager and Evans, on side two. After releasing two albums on RCA, Zager and Evans moved to Vanguard Records in 1971 for a final record, titled Food for the Mind.
Evans later released an album for Truth Records titled I Need This Song, a duet with Pam Herbert.[4] In the late 1970s, he formed his own label, Fun Records, and released an album titled Fun Songs, Think Songs containing both new material and re-recordings of Zager and Evans material.[5]
Today[edit]
Zager now builds custom guitars at Zager Guitars in Lincoln, Nebraska.[6][7]
Evans largely retired from public life but he continued to chat online with Dalton and his best friend, Nashville producer Gary Earl, until his death in February 2018.
Drummer Dave Trupp died in November 2015 at the age of 72.[8]
Mark Dalton still performs on bass in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.