Gary O'

Gary O'Connor, better known as Gary O', is a Canadian singer-songwriter and the son of Canadian musician Billy O'Connor.

Biography

Gary was a member of the 1960s band Cat, who had a popular Canadian hit in 1970 called "We're in This Together". Following a few more singles, creative differences would ultimately break them up in 1972. In 1976, with the departure of David Moyles and Rick Pearson from the original line-up, Gary joined a Beatles tribute band named Liverpool that, with the help of Ian Thomas as producer, had released a single called "Dolly" which cracked the top twenty on CHUM AM. Liverpool was managed by Vic Wilson and Ray Daniels of Anthem Records and SRO Management. Following a name change to Aerial, they released the album "In the Middle of the Night" in 1978. It was not a big success. Shortly after the 1980 follow-up "Manoeuvres", Gary formed the band Kid Rainbow, which included Margo Davidson, later of The Parachute Club and musician, producer, and songwriter John Jones (record producer) of Duran Duran Roy Wood, Fleetwood Mac, Dan Hill, Alan Frew, and Celine Dion. This band was a vehicle to promote O'Connor's songs. During this period, O'Connor had a development contract with Capitol Records, which enabled him to concentrate on his songwriting. He also became a member of the Board of Directors of the Toronto Musicians Association.^[1]

O'Connor thereafter folded Kid Rainbow and opted for a solo career, adopting the stage name "Gary O'". In 1981, his self-titled debut album was released on Capitol Records. The first single "I Believe in You" became a smash hit in Canada, and the follow-up, a remake of The Hollies' song "Pay You Back With Interest" even reached the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, where it peaked at #70.

It was his only chart entry in America, although he has had some success in writing songs for well-known artists such as 38 Special ("Back Where You Belong", "One Time For Old Times") as well as Molly Hatchet ("What's It Gonna Take") and Eddie Money ("Maybe Tomorrow").

In 1984, he released his follow-up album Strange Behaviour. The first single "Shades of 45", a song about the Enola Gay bombing the Japanese, became a popular hit in Canada, and the follow-up "Get it While You Can" also became a modest hit.

Currently, Gary O' works as a songwriter out of Vancouver.

Discography

Albums

with AERIAL

• 1978 - In the Middle of the Night
• 1980 - Manoeuvres

as a SOLO artist

• 1981 - Gary O
• 1984 - Strange Behaviour

Singles

with CAT

• 1968 - "Doin' the Best We Can"
• 1970 - "Solo Flight"
• 1970 - "We're in This Together"
• 1971 - "Honey in the Sky"

with LIVERPOOL

• 1975 - "Love is A Melody"
• 1975 - "Down to Liverpool"
• 1976 - "Dolly"

with AERIAL

• 1978 - "Easy Love"
• 1980 - "Tears That You Cry"
• 1980 - "Moments Like This"

as a SOLO artist

• 1981 - "I Believe in You"
• 1981 - "Pay You Back With Interest"
• 1984 - "Shades of 45"
• 1984 - "Get it While You Can"

References

1. ↑ Canadian Pop Encyclopedia, Biography of Gary O'; www.jam.canoe.ca.