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People
- February 16th, 1998
Out
of Key - Linda & Yanni at the end of relationship
After nearly nine years, Yanni and Linda
Evans stop the music. For Linda Coyle, A Yanni fan who has gone to
dozens of the performer`s concerts, his Dec.16 show at the Foxwoods
Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., seemed perfectly routine.
The New Age heartthob played the keyboard
in his trademark white suit while his longtime girlfriend LInda Evans
gazed adoringly at him from a front row. She looked very happy, says
Coyle, who sat behind the former Dynasty star. She was smiling and
signing autographs. He didn`t dedicat a song to Linda, she adds, but he
never does.
In retrospect there may have been an
emotional subtext. On Jan.26, after spending Christmas together in the
Caribbean, Yanni, 43 and Evans 55, announced that after almost nince
years together they were parting company.
Our lives are moving in different
directions, the couple said in a joint statement. But a source close to
the couple says the real problem was Yanni`s current 18 month worldwide
concert tour. Under the circumstances, the source says, they decided it
was impossible to maintain any continuity in the relationship. In fact,
while Evans was a regular fixture at Yanni`s shows, the Greek born
musician, says neighbours, hasn`t been seen near Evan`s $1.7 million
Lakewood, Wash., mansion for over a year. He also showed little outward
interest in Evan`s 15 Linda Evans Fitness Centers in California. At
every branch opening since 1992, Evans showed up alone.
I got the feeling that it`s not his
thing, says Lynn Altemus, manager of a club in Tustin, Calif. Outwardly
at least, there had been no sign of trouble. I`m settled down. I feel as
though we`re married, the neverwed Yanni told PEOPLE last October. The
only thing that`s missing is a peace of paper. Since they began dating
in 1989 - when the actress called the then-little-known musician to tell
him she enjoyed his work. They have often spent periods of time apart so
he could compose in solitude. Which seemed to suit the twice-married to
director John Derek and real estate magnate Stan Herman - Evans just
fine.
I didn`t want to make a man the No.1
quest in my life, she told PEOPLE in 1990. But Evans was soon helping
produce two PBS specials, 1994`s Yanni Live at the Acropolis and last
year`s Tribute, covering his tour of India and Beijing. Says a boutique
employee in Lakewood, were Evans moved in '87 (her friend,controversial
spiritual guru J.Z. Knight, lives nearby). They`d come in and sit at the
counter and eat cheesburgers. They`d sit there hand-in-hand. It was so
cute.
The two will likely stay close. Their
friendship will endure, says Mark Golob, CEO of the Linda Evans Fitness
Centers. Their friends hope so. They were a terrific couple, that`s
understood, says George Vergas, director of Acropolis. I wish them both
the best and happiness in wherever their lives take them.
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