HOEY GARY

“It’s great to hear Gary sing and play the blues with his trademark intensity, feel and authenticity. And the guitar tones…both vintage and modern at the same time.” - Joe Satriani

Gary Hoey (born August 23, 1960) is an American hard rock and latterly blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. He has recorded over 20 albums.

Hoey was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, United States. At fourteen, Hoey often lingered outside Boston's renowned Berklee College Of Music. To devote his time to music, he dropped out of high school and began playing Boston's local clubs and teaching guitar to other young players. The world renowned rock guitarist’s first break came in 1987 when Ozzy Osbourne liked Hoey’s tape enough to fly him to LA for an audition and encouraging him to move to the West Coast. In 1990, he teamed with singer Joel Ellis, bassist Rex Tennyson, and drummer Frankie Banali to form Heavy Bones. The band released their debut album in 1992, but broke up shortly afterwards. This great album was reissued by Bad Reputation in 2022. In 1993, he recorded the album Animal Instinct, which included a cover of the Focus hit „Hocus Pocus“.  The single reached the top five on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. He went on to score the successful “Endless Summer II” soundtrack for New Line Cinema and in 1995 started a trilogy of “Ho!Ho! Hoey,” a collection of instrumental Christmas classics that continues each year in his Rockin Holiday shows.  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, Ted Nugent, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Peter Frampton, and Dick Dale. And in 2013’s “Deja Blues” he came home to the blues.  Gary’s release in 2016, “Dust & Bones,” displayed an exuberant fusion of blues and rock. But 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 classic rock 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.

Gary Hoey is listed as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time.