COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) - Bassist Donald "Ean" Evans of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd has died of cancer at his home in Mississippi.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant says Evans died Wednesday. He was 48.

A statement posted Thursday on lynyrdskynyrd.com announced Evans' death "with profound sadness." It said he had "put up a valiant battle with an aggressive form of cancer."

Evans was born in Atlanta, but moved to Columbus in eastern Mississippi after marrying his wife, Eva. He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2001 and had been touring regularly with the band until being diagnosed with cancer in 2008, when he cut back on performances with the band.

Survivors include his wife and two daughters.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

RIP. brother; Your music will be missed.....

_________________
(80’s Hair Metal) = A snapshot in time before Grunge ruined Rock & Roll forever!!!!

48! That's really sad.

Wow. That is very sad. There's no right time - but 48...

What a strange and difficult history that band has had, huh?

RIP, and our thoughts with Ean Evans' family.

- C

Yeah i believe 11 of the guys that has played in that band has died!

R.I.P Ean, hope you're jamming with Leon right now!

_________________
It's a mix between Jazz and Funk, it's called "Junk"

To all the friends and family of Ean my thoughts and prayers ar with you. Ean will be missed by all of us.

So sad. RIP. Ironically, I listened to Skynyrd's Street Survivors yesterday ... great album.

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Evans family and band mates.

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.