John Oates was destined to be a musician. Singing from the time he could talk and
playing the guitar since the age of five, his calling in life was never in question. Born in
New York City, his family moved to a small town outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
in the early 50's.... a move that would change the course of his life. Like most kids at that
time, the impact of the early days of rock left an lasting impression on John. At the age of
four he witnessed his first live concert: Bill Haley and the Comets playing their classic
rockabilly hits at a local amusement park. Then there were the records...
He began to collect 45 rpm singles ...treasures from Little Richard, Chuck Berry, the
Everly Brothers, Gary U.S. Bonds and of course, Elvis. He spent countless hours twisting
the dial on his AM transistor radio trying to tune in the local R&B stations and listening
to DJs like Jerry Blavat spinning obscure Doo Wop records and B sides.
When it came to influences John was open to more than just the top 40 hits...his friends'
older brother turned him on to the nascent folk music scene that began to sweep the
country in the early 60's. John's interest in traditional American music began and he
immersed himself in the Child's Ballads, Joan Baez, Rev. Gary Davis, Dave Von Ronk
and all the rediscovered bluesmen who began to make appearances at the Newport and
Philadelphia folk festivals. Absorbing it all developed a kind of musical split personality.
One night he might be wearing a shark skin suit playing everything from Doo Wop
covers to the big R&B hits of the day with his band and the next night he would be
playing his acoustic guitar in a local coffee house singing Appalachian folk ballads...to
this day the very same roots and influences still can be heard in John's original playing
and singing style.
[Show More]
Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
John Oates was destined to be a musician. Singing from the time he could talk and
playing the guitar since the age of five, his calling in life was never in question. Born in
New York City, his family moved to a small town outside of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
in the early 50's.... a move that would change the course of his life. Like most kids at that
time, the impact of the early days of rock left an lasting impression on John. At the age of
four he witnessed his first live concert: Bill Haley and the Comets playing their classic
rockabilly hits at a local amusement park. Then there were the records...
He began to collect 45 rpm singles ...treasures from Little Richard, Chuck Berry, the
Everly Brothers, Gary U.S. Bonds and of course, Elvis. He spent countless hours twisting
the dial on his AM transistor radio trying to tune in the local R&B stations and listening
to DJs like Jerry Blavat spinning obscure Doo Wop records and B sides.
When it came to influences John was open to more than just the top 40 hits...his friends'
older brother turned him on to the nascent folk music scene that began to sweep the
country in the early 60's. John's interest in traditional American music began and he
immersed himself in the Child's Ballads, Joan Baez, Rev. Gary Davis, Dave Von Ronk
and all the rediscovered bluesmen who began to make appearances at the Newport and
Philadelphia folk festivals. Absorbing it all developed a kind of musical split personality.
One night he might be wearing a shark skin suit playing everything from Doo Wop
covers to the big R&B hits of the day with his band and the next night he would be
playing his acoustic guitar in a local coffee house singing Appalachian folk ballads...to
this day the very same roots and influences still can be heard in John's original playing
and singing style.
[Show Less]
Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
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