Gary's Bio
Guitarist | Songwriter | Producer
About Gary Hoey
BLUES | ROCK | HARD ROCK | HOLIDAY | SURF
Rock & blues guitar legend Gary Hoey releases his first album in 6 years. “Avalanche” on Wazoo Music Group (Hoey’s own label) features special guest Lita Ford on vocals on “You Know I Would” and Gary’s son, Ian Hoey, on “Dear Mama” which is a tribute to Gary’s mother and on “Summer’s Here”. Gary says, “Avalanche is a return to my rock roots. It feels great to turn up the volume and have some fun. This album was a therapeutic album for me. I named the album “Avalanche” because sometimes life feels like one thing hits you after another.
Hoey called on his old friends to help him record, Matt Scurfiled (drums), AJ Pappas (bass), Ian Hoey (guitar), his niece Tayla Lemieux (background vocals). Hoey can’t wait to hit the road on his Avalanche Tour. “Playing live is the best feeling, I love to travel and see the fans after the show. And having my son Ian playing guitar by my side is a dream come true. We will be playing the new and the old classics “Hocus Pocus”, Low Rider”and more.
Hoey’s first break came in 1987 when Ozzy Osbourne showed up in Boston looking for a guitarist. Osborne liked Hoey’s tape enough to fly him to LA for an audition. Ozzy suggested that Gary move to LA. He took Ozzy’s advice and with $17,000 he saved from teaching Hoey loaded the U-Haul and drove across country to LA. In 1992 Hoey released “Heavy Bones” on Waner Bros. A short lived band. In 1993 Hoey released “Animal Instinct” which included a
cover of the Focus hit, “Hocus Pocus”. It rocketed into the Billboard Top 5, outpacing all other singles as the most frequently played rock song of the year, it’s no wonder Gary Hoey is listed as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time.
“A living guitar legend, A must have album for any guitar enthusiast.”
– Pyke, Morning Show Host, WXKR (Toledo, OH)
“Gary Hoey returns to his rock roots with “Avalanche” highlighting not only his masterful playing, but inspiring songwriting and storytelling. Loss, rebirth, connection and Gary’s amazing virtuosity make Avalanche his mostpowerful and impactful record to date. “
– Terrie Carr, PD / Midday Host, 105.5 WDHA- The Rock Of New Jersey
In the News
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).
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.
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.
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).
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.”
“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
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
© 2023-2026 Gary Hoey Productions
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