Biography
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 …
Movies & TV Shows
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Pixels (2015) — John Oates
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You Again (2010) — John Oates
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Will & Grace (1998) — John Oates
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Saturday Night Live (1975) — Self - Musical Guest
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The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) — Self
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The Goldbergs (2013) — John the Janitor
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The Greatest Night in Pop (2024) — Self (archive footage)
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Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) — Self - Musical Guest
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The Masked Singer (2019) — Special Message (video)
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John Candy: I Like Me (2025) — Self - Singer (archive footage)
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Live Aid (1985) — Self
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Garfunkel and Oates (2014) — Dirty D
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MTV Video Music Awards (1984) — Self
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We Are the World: The Story Behind the Song (1985) — Self (uncredited)
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MTV Unplugged (1989) — Self
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2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2022) — Self (archive footage)
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Totally Baked (2007) — Himself
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Heavy Petting (1989) — Self
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The Megan Mullally Show (2006) — Self - Musical Guest
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Daryl Hall & John Oates - Live in Dublin (2015) — Guitar
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Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin (1991) — Self - Guest
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Norman's Rare Guitars Documentary (2024) — Self
- Daryl Hall and John Oates - New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (2013) — Guitar/Vocals
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The Making of Sun City (1985) — Self
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Enormous: The Gorge Story (2021)
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I Can Go For That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock (2019) — Himself
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Daryl Hall & John Oates: The Liberty Concert (1985) — Guitar/Vocals
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Daryl Hall & John Oates: From Philly to Chile (2022) — Self
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Daryl Hall & John Oates - Rock'n Soul Live (1983)
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Daryl Hall and John Oates - Live at the Troubadour (2008) — Himself - Vocals, Guitar
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Evolution's End? (1991) — Self
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I Can Go for That: The Smooth World of Yacht Rock (2019) — Self
- Daryl Hall & John Oates: Go Solo (1983) — John Oates
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John Denver Rocky Mountain High An Earth Day Concert (2011) — self
- The Philly Sound... Heard 'Round the World (2023) — Self
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Hall & Oates: Live (2005) — Guitar / Vocals
- Hall & Oates: Our Kind of Soul (2005) — Himself
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Revival: The Sam Bush Story (2015) — Self
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Hall & Oates - Live in Sydney (2013) — Self
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The Daryl Hall & John Oates Video Collection: 7 Big Ones (1984)