John William Oates 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.
Although Oates's main role in the duo was guitarist, he also co-wrote many of the Top
10 songs that they recorded, including: "Sara Smile", "She's Gone", and "Out of Touch",
as well as: "You Make My Dreams", "I Can't Go for That", "Maneater", and "Adult Education".
He also sang lead vocals on several more singles in the Hot 100, such as "How Does It Feel
to Be Back", "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'", on which Oates shared lead vocals with Hall,
and "Possession Obsession".
Oates also co-wrote and sang backup on the song "Electric Blue", recorded by the band
Icehouse, which was a Billboard Top Ten hit.
He also co-wrote, produced and sang duet with the Canadian group The Parachute Club on the
1987 song "Love is Fire" which was a Top 30 hit in Canada.
Oates was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004, and in 2014, he was inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of the duo Hall & Oates.
Life and career Oates was born in New York City.
His mother, Ann De Palma, was an Italian immigrant originally from Salerno.
His father, Al Oates, was born to an English father and Gibraltarian mother, who claimed
ancient Moorish heritage.
He was raised in North Wales, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.
He is married to his second wife, Aimee Oates.
Their son, Tanner, was born in 1996.
In 1966, he recorded his first single, "I Need Your Love," with The Masters for Philadelphia-based
Crimson Records.
After graduating from North Penn High School in 1967, John enrolled in Temple University
in Philadelphia, where he met Daryl Hall, a senior at Temple who was also a professional
musician.
The two were involved in several college bands, then formed the duo Hall & Oates, and by 1972,
they had signed with Atlantic Records.
Hall & Oates went 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 ten 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 established them further as artists.
Their influence on modern American pop music and considerable contributions have been acknowledged
by numerous contemporary bands, including Gym Class Heroes and The Killers.
In 1983, Oates was asked whether he regretted not pursuing his degree in journalism.
He replied that he did not—and admitted that he had in fact never intended to finish
it.
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's second solo album, 1000 Miles of Life, was released on August 23, 2008.
As reported by Billboard, Oates will be starring in an animated series called J.Stache, created
by Evan Duby at Primary Wave Music Publishing.
In March 2010, Oates played with the 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 & Oates.
The performance was dedicated to H&O bassist T-Bone Wolk who died on February 27, 2010.
On October 1, 2011, Margo Rey charted at #24 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks with
the song "Let the Rain", which was co-written by John Oates.
On March 11, 2013, Oates released a new single, "Stand Strong", which he co-wrote with Teddy
Morgan.
"Stand Strong" is part of Oates's newest project, "Good Road To Follow", a set of original songs
that will be released as digital singles, one after the other.
Oates lives with his wife and son in Aspen, Colorado.
Hall & Oates songs featuring John Oates on lead vocal
Releases Phunk Shui
John Oates: Live at the Historic Wheeler Opera House
John Oates Solo – The Album, The Concert, DVD side Live at the Historic Wheeler Opera
House) 1000 Miles Of Life
Mississippi Mile The Bluesville Sessions
Good Road To Follow References
External links Official John Oates website
Official website of Hall & Oates John Oates at AllMusic