John William Oates (born April 7, 1949 in New York City, New York) is an American rock, R&B and soul guitarist, musician, songwriter and producer best known as half of the rock and soul duo Hall & Oates (with founder/lead vocalist/occasional instrumentalist Daryl Hall). Though he was a primary guitarist, he also co-wrote 8 Billboard Number One songs such as: "Sara Smile" (with Daryl Hall - a song that was referenced by Hall's ex-girlfriend), "You Make My Dreams" (with Sara Allen & Daryl Hall), "She's Gone" (with Daryl Hall), "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)" (with Sara Allen & Daryl Hall), "Maneater" (with Sara Allen & Daryl Hall), "Out of Touch" (with Daryl Hall), and "Adult Education" (with Daryl Hall & Sara Allen). He also sang lead vocals and has written or co-written a few less popular singles that did not make it to the Billboard's Top 10 such as: "How Does It Feel to Be Back", "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" (which was a remake of the 1965 song performed by The Righteous Brothers, it was written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil that it peaked #12 in November 1980, and shared lead vocals with Hall) and "Possession Obsession" (with Sara Allen & Daryl Hall). In addition to his work with Hall, Oates co-wrote and sang back-up on the song "Electric Blue" by the band Icehouse which was a Billboard Top Ten hit.Contents [hide] 1 Background 2 Releases 3 References 4 External links
[edit] Background
John Oates was raised in Philadelphia's suburb of North Wales, Pennsylvania, and attended North Penn High School in suburban Philadelphia. He is married to Aimee Oates, and his son Tanner John Oates was born on June 19, 1996.
In 1966 he recorded his first single, "I Need Your Love," with The Masters for Philadelphia-based Crimson Records.[1] After finishing high school in 1967, John attended Temple University in Philadelphia. It was there that he met Daryl Hall, also a musician and student at Temple, who was already a senior, while Oates himself was a sophomore. The two were involved in several college bands, but after becoming the duo Hall & Oates, they were signed by Atlantic Records in 1972.[2] Since the formation of this partnership, Hall & Oates have gone on to record 21 albums which have sold over 80 million units worldwide, making them arguably the most successful duo in pop–rock history. They have scored 10 number one records and over 20 top 40 hits and have toured the world for decades. Their involvement in the original “Live Aid” concert and the ground-breaking "We Are The World" charity recording have further established them as artists. Their influence on modern pop music has been cited by numerous contemporary bands, like the Gym Class Heroes and The Killers, who have credited and acknowledged H&O's considerable contribution to American music.
Despite 30 years as a chart-topping performer and sought-after producer, Oates did not release a solo album until 2002's Phunk Shui.
Oates took part, along with Jamie Cullum, in the song "Greatest Mistake" by Handsome Boy Modeling School. The song appears on the 2004 album White People.
Oates' second solo album entitled 1000 Miles of Life was released on August 23, 2008.[3]
As reported by Billboard, John Oates will be starring in an animated series called J.Stache created by Evan Duby at Primary Wave Music Publishing.[4]
In March 2010, Oates played with indie rock band The Bird and the Bee as a surprise guest. The show was a medley of The Bird and the Bee songs, as well as classic Hall and Oates. The performance was dedicated to H&O bassist T-Bone Wolk who died February 27, 2010.
Oates now lives with his son and wife in Aspen, Colorado.
