Formal Connection With:
- Genres: Rock
- Instrument: Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
- Representative Albums: "Strange Behavior," "Gary O"
Biography
Canadian singer and songwriter Gary O' began his recording career in 1968 as a member of a rock group called Cat. Over the next few years he went on to complete a number of popular singles and a few albums with other bands like Liverpool and Aerial. Around 1981, Gary decided to try his chances at a solo career but after a couple of albums, he went back to working with other artists.Gary O'Connor was raised in Ontario. Music had a large spot in his life early on, since his father, Billy O'Connor, was a well-known music artist in Canada. Gary's first step into performing professionally was as part of the Synics in the early '60s. By 1964 he had moved on to the Spasstiks -- which later became Cat. Between 1968 and 1971 the group recorded a few singles under the RCA Records label. During this time, Cat kept up a busy touring schedule, performing in both Canada and the United States, opening for major acts like Janis Joplin and the Guess Who.
In 1975, Gary did his first recordings with a group called Liverpool. The band was signed to Taurus Records. Three years later Liverpool moved on to Anthem Records, and a new group name, Aerial. After a couple of years the members called it quits and Gary moved on to Kid Rainbow, and branched out into songwriting, something he found he had a natural gift for.
When the next decade began, Gary was ready for a complete change and left the mix of groups behind to do some solo work. He dropped the Connor from his name and performed under Gary O', releasing a self-titled solo debut in 1981 (a full-length album done on the RCA label). A sophomore offering, Strange Behaviour, was three years in appearing. A few of the tunes from Gary's recordings are "The Way You Look Tonight," "All the Young Heroes," "Just a Little Love," "Doin' the Best We Can," "We're All in This Together," and "Honey in the Sky." ~ Charlotte Dillon, All Music Guide
