Gary's Bio
Guitarist | Songwriter | Producer
About Gary Hoey
BLUES | ROCK | HARD ROCK | PROG | SURF
World renowned rock guitarist Gary Hoey’s first break came in 1987 when Ozzy Osbourne liked Hoey’s tape enough to fly him to LA for an audition. Although Zakk Wylde wound up with the gig, Ozzy recommended Hoey move to LA where he was certain he would get noticed. So he did – thanks Ozzy – and it paid off. In 1992 Gary’s cover of “Hocus Pocus” rocketed into the Billboard’s Top 5 Rock Tracks.
With a collection of 22 albums it’s no wonder Gary Hoey is listed as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time. In 1994 Hoey scored the successful “Endless Summer II” soundtrack for New Line Cinema. In 2012, he produced and co-wrote The Queen Of Metal, Lita Ford’s latest release “Living Like Runaway” for SPV records to rave reviews. As Music Director for Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp, he’s worked with legends like Joe Perry, Roger Daltrey, Yes, blues icon Johnny Winter, Robben Ford, Leslie West, and KISS drummer, Peter Criss. And he has toured and traded licks with the likes of Jeff Beck, Brian May of Queen, Ted Nugent, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Peter Frampton, and Dick Dale.
Whatever style he plays, one thing is certain, Gary Hoey is a fiery, charismatic player who connects with the crowd. Whether he’s playing scorching originals or rock classic covers, his solos are thrilling and reminiscent of Clapton or Stevie Ray in their fiery youth. One thing that remains consistent is Hoey’s impassioned command of the guitar. He can attack his instrument with feral intensity and then play something very soft and achingly beautiful. This ability to mix feeling, phrasing, technique and tone is the true mark of a master guitarist.
“It’s great to hear Gary sing and play the blues with his trademark intensity, feel and authenticity. And the guitar tones! “Dust & Bones is a great sounding Blues/Rock album that’s both vintage and modern at the same time.” – Joe Satriani
In the News
Neon Highway Blues
Radio Interview
Gary talks about the new album; working with Johnny Winter; playing in Detroit over the years; his high school son Ian Hoey’s guitar playing—and Gary’s career transitions from hard metal to surf rock and rockin’ Christmas songs to his focus on blues rock for the last several years. Listen to his interview on Doug Podell’s Rock Doc Podcast on 106.7 WLLZ Detroit’s Wheels (12 minutes).
Album Review
“Despite his own continually refreshed reputation as a guitar gunslinger, Hoey also incorporates a number of guest appearances on Neon Highway Blues. The most impressive “get” might be Eric Gales, who appears on the album opening cut Under The Rug. It should come as no surprise that the soloing throughout the disc is top notch, but with Gales and Hoey on the same song, it is like listening to a master class in guitar playing. The song has a great sound to it and Hoey’s vocal styling gives it an invigorating lift.”
Podcast Interview
“There’s the metal shredding Gary Hoey, there’s always been the blues guitar playing extraordinaire Gary Hoey, but we all love ‘Ho Ho Hoey’ Gary Hoey. Christmastime is here again and I just love all the Christmas music that you’ve laid down my friend.” –Doug Podell, the Doc of Rock
TV Interview
“In this Morning Blend Julie’s Rock Block segment, Gary explains the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp for all levels of musicians, held at the Hard Rock Cafe.”
Watch the 5-minute KTNV interview that ends with Gary playing his remake of War’s Low Rider.
Radio Interview
Listen to Forrest from KKGL 96.9 The Eagle interview Gary about Neon Highway Blues (12 minutes)—as well as talk about how to survive in the music business, the time Gary got to see Stevie Ray Vaughan with B.B. King at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles—and hear Gary play a few of his favorite practice riffs.
Q&A Interview
“I Felt Alive goes back to my Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin influences with that slow groove rock. Live, we extend it and have a good jam on it. It came out of nowhere, and we just kept working on the riff. It really turned out to be one of my favorites.”
Go to My Global Mind online magazine to read their interview with Gary.
Video Interview
In this exclusive MusiciansChannel.com interview, Gary talks about how he launched and built his solo career and his Christmas classics. He discusses his guitars, amps, and effects; explains the proper way to route your effects (and why), and covers his signature model Rocktron pedal, the Intimidator. Gary also demonstrates some of his guitar techniques, and teaches how he plays the song “Hocus Pocus.”
Radio Interview
Listen to Jeremy Fenech’s Classic Conversations radio interview with Gary Hoey on Fenech on the Fox Classic Fox 103.9 WRSR (18 minutes)—as always Gary brings his guitar to the interview!
Tour Preview
“Gary Hoey. Whether he’s playing scorching originals or classic rock covers, Gary Hoey’s solos are thrilling and reminiscent of Clapton or Stevie Ray in their fiery youth. One thing that remains consistent is Hoey’s impassioned command of the guitar. He can attack his instrument with feral intensity and then play something very soft and achingly beautiful. This ability to mix feeling, phrasing, technique and tone is the true mark of a master guitarist.”
Radio Interview
Afternoon drive host Andy Hall talks with Gary about Christmas-time classics and his Ho Ho Hoey Rockin Holiday Tour—while Gary plays samples on his Fender Statocaster.
Andy from Everything That Rocks in Des Moines, Iowa, interviews Gary Ho-Ho-Hoey!
Podcast Interview
Gary’s been on Talkin’ Rock with Meltdown many times over the years! This November, 2019 epsisode covers upcoming music news from Gary, the album he’s been working on with Lita Ford, and what he thought of Joe Bonamassa when Joe was a young kid. Did you know that Gary writes and records guitar tracks used as cues on ESPN Sports?
Check out this 11-minute interview on Meldown on WRIF (starts at the 4:45 minute mark).
“Most people know him as an instrumental guitar player along the lines of a Steve Vai or Joe Satriani because of his Billboard hit Hocus Pocus, or possibly know him from his Ho Ho Hoey Christmas albums, or have seen him trading licks on tour with Jeff Beck, Ted Nugent, Peter Frampton, and Dick Dale. Let’s set the record straight—Gary is not a one trick rock guitar shredder.” –Blues Rock Review
Watch Going Down—Live at Don Odell’s Legends
“It’s great to hear Gary sing and play the blues with his trademark intensity, feel and authenticity. And the guitar tones! Dust & Bones is a great sounding Blues/Rock album that’s both vintage and modern at the same time.”
–Joe Satriani
May 2, 2018
Craig Garber
“One of my all-time favorite guitar players, Gary’s released 22 albums in the last 23 years… has had five top-20 Billboard hits… has recorded songs for the largest companies in America… and today, teaches Masterclasses at Berklee – a school he desperately wanted to attend when he was a teenager. Raised by a single mother of 6, Gary’s come a l-o-o-n-g way yet has managed to retain every ounce of his humility and compassion for people…
On top of this, he’s a Black Belt in Martial Arts! Plus, hustling in front of Berklee… his audition for Ozzy… moving across the country from Massachusetts to LA… Writing his absolute biggest hit in 15 minutes… Chet Atkins… Judge Judy… and a TON of really cool stuff to enjoy in this very cool conversation!…”
Giving Back
Being on the road touring for 25 to 30 years, it’s great to give back to the communities that have supported us. We’ve delivered many truckloads of food for food drives and raised many thousands of dollars with fundraiser events, guitar auctions, local non-profit partners on our annual Ho! Ho! Hoey holiday tour, and more.
If you’d like to join us, a donation to your local food bank is awesome way to lend your support. Or choose another that’s close to our hearts:
Gary performed at the November 27, 2019 “Turkey Meet & Greet” annual holiday food drive for the United Way and Pearl Street Cupboard & Cafe, hosted by WZLX/Boston Classic Rock’s morning team Karlson, McKenzie & Heather. Pictured: United Way’s Sandy Baldi, Kevin Karlson, Gary Hoey, Pete McKenzie and Heather Ford.
Gary Hoey
I enjoy hearing from new and longtime fans and guitar players!
Say hi on social media, or find out how to contact me here, and follow me and subscribe to my YouTube channel. I look forward to seeing you all. –Gary
© 2023-2024 Gary Hoey Productions
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