Evie (Part One)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as we spin the epic Evie (Part One) by Stevie Wright from his 1974 album Hard Road. This track, part of the 11-minute, three-part rock opera Evie, made history as the first song of its length to hit #1 on the Australian charts, a feat unmatched by any pop song over six minutes at the time. Written by Harry Vanda and George Young, the song’s raw energy comes alive in Part One, “Let Your Hair Down,” with a bluesy, hard-rock vibe driven by a young Malcolm Young of AC/DC on guitar, laying down a searing solo. The song’s narrative follows a love story, with Part One capturing the thrill of meeting Evie, setting the stage for the emotional rollercoaster that unfolds across the trilogy.

The track’s cultural impact is massive, as evidenced by its #17 ranking in Triple M’s 2018 “Ozzest 100” list of the most Australian songs ever. In a 2018 interview snippet shared by Triple M Rock, Stevie Wright revealed the song’s inspiration came from Vanda and Young’s vision to craft a comeback hit for him, tailored to his dynamic stage presence. The recording sessions were a reunion of sorts, with Vanda, Young, and Wright—former bandmates from The Easybeats—reigniting their creative spark. Fans on platforms like Gretsch-Talk still rave about the song’s production, noting the phenomenal drumming by session musician John Proud and Malcolm Young’s use of a Gretsch Jet guitar, adding to its gritty charm.

Live performances of Evie were legendary. In June 1974, Wright played it at the Sydney Opera House to 2,500 fans, with 10,000 more turned away, backed by Vanda, Young, and Malcolm Young—marking their first joint performance since The Easybeats split in 1969. By November 1979, Wright took the stage at the “Concert of the Decade” on the Opera House steps, belting out Evie to a staggering 100,000 people, a moment RadioInfo Australia called his finest. The song’s enduring love is clear in covers, like the 2005 version by Australian supergroup The Wrights, which hit #2 on the ARIA Singles Chart and earned gold certification.

Stevie Wright’s journey to rock stardom began in Leeds, England, where he was born Stephen Carlton Wright on December 20, 1947. His family migrated to Australia in the 1950s, settling in the Villawood Migrant Hostel in Sydney. There, young Stevie met Johannes Hendrikus Jacob van den Berg (later Harry Vanda) and the Young brothers, including George, forming a bond that Australian Musician Magazine dubbed the most significant in Australian music history. At 16, Wright joined The Easybeats as their charismatic frontman, leading them to international fame with hits like Friday on My Mind. The band’s success in the 1960s made them Australia’s first rock act to break globally, but they disbanded in 1969, leaving Wright to navigate a solo path.

After The Easybeats, Wright faced personal struggles, including a heroin addiction that began around 1973. Despite this, he signed with Albert Productions in late 1973, reuniting with Vanda and Young, who produced Hard Road. The album, featuring Evie, peaked at #2 on the Australian charts, cementing Wright’s comeback. His stage energy was unmatched, as seen in his 1971-1973 stint in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Sadly, addiction and controversial treatments, like the deep sleep therapy at Chelmsford Private Hospital, took a toll. Yet, with the support of his partner Fay, Wright battled back, performing into the 2000s, including the 2002 Long Way to the Top tour, and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame with The Easybeats in 2005.

For more on Stevie Wright, check out his official presence through Albert Music, which manages his legacy. Social media accounts dedicated to him include the Stevie Wright Official Facebook page, though his Instagram presence is mostly fan-driven tributes under hashtags like #steviewright. On X, fans and music historians share posts celebrating his work. Fan communities thrive at sites like MILESAGO, a detailed archive of Wright’s career, and the Stevie Wright Fans Facebook Group, where Zoo Freaks can connect with others to share love for his music and legacy.