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

Norman's Rare Guitars Documentary

Self

4.0

2024

The Greatest Night in Pop

The Greatest Night in Pop

Self (archive footage)

7.9

2024

The Philly Sound... Heard 'Round the World

Self

0.0

2023

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Self (archive footage)

8.2

2022

Daryl Hall & John Oates: From Philly to Chile

Daryl Hall & John Oates: From Philly to Chile

Self

10.0

2022

Enormous: The Gorge Story

Enormous: The Gorge Story

3.5

2021

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

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

Himself

9.0

2019

I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock

I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock

Self · (2 episodes)

0.0

2019

The Masked Singer

The Masked Singer

Special Message (video) · (1 episode)

7.7

2019

The Masked Singer

The Masked Singer

Anteater · (1 episode)

7.7

2019

Pixels

Pixels

John Oates

5.8

2015

Revival: The Sam Bush Story

Revival: The Sam Bush Story

Self

0.0

2015

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Live in Dublin

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Live in Dublin

Himself

7.8

2015

Garfunkel and Oates

Garfunkel and Oates

Dirty D · (1 episode)

6.9

2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Self · (1 episode)

5.8

2014

The Goldbergs

The Goldbergs

John the Janitor · (1 episode)

7.5

2013

Daryl Hall and John Oates - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Guitar/Vocals

5.2

2013

Hall & Oates - Live in Sydney

Hall & Oates - Live in Sydney

Self

0.0

2013

John Denver Rocky Mountain High An Earth Day Concert

John Denver Rocky Mountain High An Earth Day Concert

self

0.0

2011

You Again

You Again

John Oates

6.3

2010

Daryl Hall and John Oates - Live at the Troubadour

Daryl Hall and John Oates - Live at the Troubadour

Himself - Vocals, Guitar

8.0

2008

Totally Baked

Totally Baked

Himself

5.3

2007

The Megan Mullally Show

The Megan Mullally Show

Self - Musical Guest · (2 episodes)

4.2

2006

Hall & Oates: Our Kind of Soul

Himself

0.0

2005

Hall & Oates: Live

Hall & Oates: Live

Guitar / Vocals

0.0

2005

Will & Grace

Will & Grace

John Oates · (1 episode)

6.9

1998

Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin

Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin

Self - Guest

6.3

1991

Evolution's End?

Evolution's End?

Self

0.0

1991

MTV Unplugged

MTV Unplugged

Self · (1 episode)

6.8

1989

Heavy Petting

Heavy Petting

Self

5.6

1989

Daryl Hall & John Oates: The Liberty Concert

Daryl Hall & John Oates: The Liberty Concert

Guitar/Vocals

9.0

1985

Live Aid

Live Aid

Self

7.9

1985

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song

We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song

Self (uncredited)

8.5

1985

The Making of Sun City

Self

0.0

1985

MTV Video Music Awards

MTV Video Music Awards

Self · (1 episode)

7.6

1984

The Daryl Hall & John Oates Video Collection: 7 Big Ones

The Daryl Hall & John Oates Video Collection: 7 Big Ones

0.0

1984

Daryl Hall & John Oates: Go Solo

John Oates

0.0

1983

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Rock'n Soul Live

Daryl Hall & John Oates - Rock'n Soul Live

9.0

1983

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

Self - Musical Guest · (1 episode)

7.0

1975