John Oates

John Oates

John William Oates (born April 7, 1948) is an American musician, best known as half of the rock and soul duo Hall & Oates along with Daryl Hall. He has played rock, R&B, and soul music, serving as a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Although Oates's main role in the duo is being the guitarist, he also co-wrote many of the top 10 songs that they recorded, including: "Sara Smile" (referring to Hall's then-girlfriend, Sara Allen), "She's Gone", and "Out of Touch", as well as "You Make My Dreams", "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)", "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'" (a remake of the 1965 song performed by the Righteous Brothers), and "Possession Obsession". In 1986, Oates contributed the song "(She's the) Shape of Things to Come" on the soundtrack to the 1986 film About Last Night. He also co-wrote and sang backup on the song "Electric Blue", recorded by the Australian band Icehouse, which was a Billboard top 10 hit. Oates was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004, and in 2014 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of Hall & Oates. His memoir, Change of Seasons, was published in 2017.

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Known For

Filmography

2024

The Greatest Night in Pop
The Greatest Night in Pop
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 1/19/2024
Norman's Rare Guitars Documentary
Norman's Rare Guitars Documentary
as Self
Movie - Released: 12/31/2024

2023

Movie
The Philly Sound... Heard 'Round the World
as Self
Movie - Released: 9/23/2023

2022

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
as Self (archive footage)
Movie - Released: 11/19/2022
Daryl Hall & John Oates: From Philly to Chile
Daryl Hall & John Oates: From Philly to Chile
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/1/2022

2021

Enormous: The Gorge Story
Enormous: The Gorge Story
Movie - Released: 7/21/2021

2019

I Can Go For That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock
I Can Go For That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock
as Himself
Movie - Released: 6/14/2019
The Masked Singer
The Masked Singer
as Special Message (video)
TV - Released: 1/2/2019
I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock
I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock
as Self
TV - Released: 6/14/2019
The Masked Singer
The Masked Singer
as Anteater
TV - Released: 1/2/2019

2015

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Live in Dublin
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Live in Dublin
as Himself
Movie - Released: 3/31/2015
Pixels
Pixels
as John Oates
Movie - Released: 7/16/2015
Revival: The Sam Bush Story
Revival: The Sam Bush Story
as Self
Movie - Released: 4/21/2015

2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Garfunkel and Oates
Garfunkel and Oates
as Dirty D
TV - Released: 8/7/2014

2013

Movie
Daryl Hall and John Oates - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
as Guitar/Vocals
Movie - Released: 5/5/2013
Hall & Oates - Live in Sydney
Hall & Oates - Live in Sydney
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/1/2013
The Goldbergs
The Goldbergs
as John the Janitor
TV - Released: 9/24/2013

2011

John Denver Rocky Mountain High An Earth Day Concert
John Denver Rocky Mountain High An Earth Day Concert
as self
Movie - Released: 4/21/2011

2010

You Again
You Again
as John Oates
Movie - Released: 9/23/2010

2008

Daryl Hall and John Oates - Live at the Troubadour
Daryl Hall and John Oates - Live at the Troubadour
as Himself - Vocals, Guitar
Movie - Released: 11/28/2008

2007

Totally Baked
Totally Baked
as Himself
Movie - Released: 4/20/2007

2006

The Megan Mullally Show
The Megan Mullally Show
as Self - Musical Guest
TV - Released: 9/18/2006

2005

Hall & Oates: Live
Hall & Oates: Live
as Guitar / Vocals
Movie - Released: 10/4/2005
Movie
Hall & Oates: Our Kind of Soul
as Himself
Movie - Released: 11/8/2005

1998

Will & Grace
Will & Grace
as John Oates
TV - Released: 9/21/1998

1991

Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin
as Self - Guest
Movie - Released: 10/1/1991
Evolution's End?
Evolution's End?
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/4/1991

1989

Heavy Petting
Heavy Petting
as Self
Movie - Released: 9/22/1989
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
as Self
TV - Released: 11/26/1989

1985

Movie
The Making of Sun City
as Self
Movie - Released: 1/23/1985
Daryl Hall & John Oates: The Liberty Concert
Daryl Hall & John Oates: The Liberty Concert
as Guitar/Vocals
Movie - Released: 8/17/1985
Live Aid
Live Aid
as Self - Hall & Oates
Movie - Released: 7/13/1985
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
as Self (uncredited)
Movie - Released: 1/28/1985

1984

MTV Video Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
as Self
TV - Released: 9/14/1984

1983

Movie
Daryl Hall & John Oates: Go Solo
as John Oates
Movie - Released: 4/13/1983
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Rock'n Soul Live
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Rock'n Soul Live
Movie - Released: 3/10/1983

1975

Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
as Self - Musical Guest
TV - Released: 10/11/1975