Evans, who was known as a loner in high school, took piano and guitar lessons and often performed with his brother Dick Evans before they both answered an ad posted by Larry Mullen, Jr seeking musicians to form a rock band. This band would go through several incarnations before emerging as U2 in 1977 (Dick Evans left the band just before the name change).
Evans is credited with devising a novel rhythm guitar sound, utilizing a heavy echo effect synchronized with the beat of the music. This effect would form the signature sound of U2.
In addition to his regular gig playing with U2, Evans has also recorded with artists like Johnny Cash, B. B. King, Tina Turner, and Ron Wood.
Evans married his high school girlfriend Aislinn O'Sullivan. The couple had three daughters together. Evand and O'Sullivan separated in 1991 but could not divorce because of Irish law.
In October 1997, Evans had a fourth daughter with Morleigh Steinberg, a dancer from U2's early 1990s Zoo TV tour.