John Oates Blues Band October 20, 2012

Doors open at 7:00, show starts at 8:30.

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 a 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.

In the late 60's John moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University and check out the city's music scene. In 1966 he wrote and recorded his first single "I Need Your Love" which was released on the label owned by a local music store called the Record Museum. The song was arranged by Bobby Martin who at the time was producing and arranging for Gamble and Huff. The single received airplay on Philly's R&B radio stations and John began to divide his time between being a student and a professional musician.
Around the same time he met an influential guitar player/ teacher named Jerry Ricks who had spent time on the road with Mississippi John Hurt and Son House. Jerry took John under his wing and introduced him to many of the newly rediscover folk performers, such as Doc Watson, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee and Mississippi John for whom Philadelphia's folk venues, like the Second Fret and Main Point, were frequent stops in their concert schedules. John had the unique opportunity to play alongside some of these seminal musicians learning first hand, their finger picking and flat picking styles.

When John first met Daryl Hall it was their mutual love for urban rhythm and blues blended with the more rural roots of Americana music that created their unique sound. Since the formation of their partnership in the early 70's Hall & Oates have gone on to record 21 albums, which have sold over 80 million units making them the most successful duo in rock history. They have scored 10 number one records, over 20 top 40 hits and have toured the world for decades. Their involvement in the original "Live Aid" concert and the groundbreaking "We Are The World" charity recording have further established them as legendary artists who have personally and through their music, stood the test of time. Numerous contemporary bands, like the Gym Class Heroes, the Killers, and the Bird and Bee who have credited and acknowledged H&O’s considerable contribution to American popular music, have cited their influence on modern pop music. In addition to their numerous American Music and MTV Awards, in 2005 they were inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame and in May of 2008 were presented with the prestigious BMI Icon Award for their outstanding career achievement in song writing.

Official Website: http://www.thehamiltondc.com/live/calendar#/john-oates-blues-band