John Oates
Born
April 7, 1948 (77 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
New York City, New York, USA
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.

Norman's Rare Guitars Documentary
Self
2024

The Greatest Night in Pop
Self (archive footage)
2024
The Philly Sound... Heard 'Round the World
Self
2023

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Self (archive footage)
2022

Daryl Hall & John Oates: From Philly to Chile
Self
2022

Enormous: The Gorge Story
2021

I Can Go For That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock
Himself
2019

I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock
Self · (2 episodes)
2019

The Masked Singer
Special Message (video) · (1 episode)
2019

The Masked Singer
Anteater · (1 episode)
2019

Pixels
John Oates
2015

Revival: The Sam Bush Story
Self
2015

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Live in Dublin
Himself
2015

Garfunkel and Oates
Dirty D · (1 episode)
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · (1 episode)
2014

The Goldbergs
John the Janitor · (1 episode)
2013
Daryl Hall and John Oates - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Guitar/Vocals
2013

Hall & Oates - Live in Sydney
Self
2013

John Denver Rocky Mountain High An Earth Day Concert
self
2011

You Again
John Oates
2010

Daryl Hall and John Oates - Live at the Troubadour
Himself - Vocals, Guitar
2008

Totally Baked
Himself
2007

The Megan Mullally Show
Self - Musical Guest · (2 episodes)
2006
Hall & Oates: Our Kind of Soul
Himself
2005

Hall & Oates: Live
Guitar / Vocals
2005

Will & Grace
John Oates · (1 episode)
1998

Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Self - Guest
1991

Evolution's End?
Self
1991

MTV Unplugged
Self · (1 episode)
1989

Heavy Petting
Self
1989

Daryl Hall & John Oates: The Liberty Concert
Guitar/Vocals
1985

Live Aid
Self
1985

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song
Self (uncredited)
1985
The Making of Sun City
Self
1985

MTV Video Music Awards
Self · (1 episode)
1984

The Daryl Hall & John Oates Video Collection: 7 Big Ones
1984
Daryl Hall & John Oates: Go Solo
John Oates
1983

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Rock'n Soul Live
1983

Saturday Night Live
Self - Musical Guest · (1 episode)
1975