Hoey often lingered outside Boston's renowned Berklee College of Music when he was fourteen years old, making friends and offering to pay for lessons. Realizing he should devote all of his time to music, Hoey dropped out of high school and began playing Boston's local clubs, teaching guitar to other budding young players as well. He auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne in 1988, when Osbourne was searching for a replacement for Jake E. Lee. Although the job went to Zakk Wylde, Hoey earned Osbourne's respect and admiration with his guitar playing ability and all-around professional manner.[citation needed]
In 1990 he teamed up with singer Joel Ellis, bassist Rex Tennyson, and drummer Frankie Banali to form Heavy Bones. The band released their debut album in 1992 but broke up shortly thereafter.[1]
In 1993, he recorded the successful Animal Instinct album, which included a cover of the Focus hit "Hocus Pocus". Not only did the hit rocket into the Billboard Top 5, outpacing all other singles as the most frequently played rock song of the year, but the album went on to reach classic rock notoriety. The successful Endless Summer II soundtrack soon followed. He went on to record an estimated twelve diverse instrumental albums, all electric guitar oriented. His 1996 release, Bug Alley, displayed added vocal ability that he has expanded on more recent albums. In the midst of this ride, Hoey undertook long radio station tours, during which he visited over 400 stations coast to coast. He has created music for ESPN’s Summer X Games, No Fear, the Disney's California Adventure ride California Screamin', the San Diego Padres and many others. Hoey continues to tour extensively.
[edit] Discography Heavy Bones (with the band Heavy Bones) (1992) Animal Instinct (1993) Endless Summer II Soundtrack (1994) Gary Hoey (1995) Ho! Ho! Hoey (1995) Bug Alley (1996) Ho! Ho! Hoey Vol. 2 (1997) Hocus Pocus Live (1998) Money (1999) Ho! Ho! Hoey Vol. 3 (1999) Best Of Ho! Ho! Hoey (2001) Wake Up Call (2003) Ho! Ho! Hoey: The Complete Collection (2003) Best Of Gary Hoey (2004) Monster Surf (2005) American Made (2006)
