United States 
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G. E. Smith is an American guitarist and songwriter known for his versatile career as a lead guitarist for Hall & Oates, bandleader for Saturday Night Live, and musical director for acclaimed artists and events.
G. E. Smith was the lead guitarist for the duo Hall & Oates during their most commercially successful period from 1979 to 1985. He contributed to five number-one singles and several multi-platinum albums, including 'Voices' and 'Private Eyes.'
Smith toured as the initial lead guitarist for Bob Dylan's Never Ending Tour from June 1988 until October 1990. He also served as musical director and a guitarist for Dylan's The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration at Madison Square Garden in 1992.
From 2010 to 2013, Smith was a rhythm, lead, and bass guitarist in Roger Waters's 'The Wall Live' tour, one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time. He also performed with Waters at The Concert for Sandy Relief in 2012.
From 1985 to 1995, Smith was the bandleader and co-musical director of the Saturday Night Live Band. He was instrumental in shaping the show's musical segments and won an Emmy Award for the 'Saturday Night Live: The 25th Anniversary Special' in 2000.
Smith collaborated with blues musician Buddy Guy on the album 'Live! The Real Deal' (1996), which earned him a Grammy Award nomination. He also played on 'Buddy's Baddest: The Best of Buddy Guy' (1999).
Smith formed a duo with singer-songwriter LeRoy Bell, resulting in the collaborative album 'Stony Hill' released in 2020. This partnership emerged from a meeting arranged through the 'Portraits' series.
In late 1977, Smith joined Dan Hartman's band, playing on his successful album 'Instant Replay' and accompanying him on tours.
Smith worked with Mick Jagger on his first solo album, 'She's the Boss' (1985), and also on 'Primitive Cool' (1987). He also played on 'Dancing in the Street' with Jagger and David Bowie.
Smith did several one-off recordings and concerts with David Bowie and played on 'Dancing in the Street' with Bowie and Mick Jagger. He also played on 'Loving the Alien (1983-1988)' (2018).
Smith collaborated with Tracy Chapman on her album 'Crossroads' (1989) and 'Greatest Hits' (2015).
Smith collaborated with Jimmy Buffett, and his song 'Six String Music' appears on Buffett's album 'Fruitcakes' (1994). He also wrote with Buffett.
Smith spent a few years working with Roger McNamee and their band, Moonalice, contributing to albums like 'Compliments from Moonalice' (2007) and 'Moonalice' (2008).
Smith has a long-standing connection with Fender guitars, having received a Fender Esquire as a child and later celebrating the launch of his signature Fender Telecaster in 2007.
G. E. Smith and his wife, singer/songwriter Taylor Barton, founded the concert series 'Portraits' in 2015, which showcases various artists. They also co-produced the DVD '50 Watt Fuse' in 2007.
George Edward Smith, born George Edward Haddad on January 27, 1952, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, began playing guitar at the age of four. Growing up in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, he received his first C. F. Martin guitar in 1959 at seven and an electric Fender Esquire on his eleventh birthday. By his teenage years, Smith was supporting himself as a musician, playing in various venues across the Pocono Mountains. His early experiences included performing in resorts and high school dances, often alongside musicians significantly older than himself. In the early 1970s, Smith moved to New Haven, Connecticut, where he played in The Scratch Band, which included future Hall & Oates bandmate Mickey Curry.
Smith’s career gained significant momentum in the late 1970s. In 1977, he joined Dan Hartman’s band, playing guitar on his successful album “Instant Replay” and accompanying him on US and European tours. Following this, Smith moved to Manhattan and became the guitarist for Gilda Radner’s 1979 Broadway show “Gilda Live.” From 1979 to 1985, Smith served as the lead guitarist for Daryl Hall and John Oates, contributing to five number-one singles and multiple platinum albums, including “Voices,” “Private Eyes,” and “Big Bam Boom.” When Hall & Oates took a hiatus in 1985, Smith was hired as the bandleader and co-musical director for the Saturday Night Live Band, a role he held for ten years until 1995. During his tenure at SNL, he earned an Emmy Award for the “Saturday Night Live: The 25th Anniversary Special” in 2000.
Throughout his career, Smith has collaborated with numerous notable artists, recording and performing with David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Roger Waters, Tina Turner, and Tracy Chapman. He was the initial lead guitarist for Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour band from 1988 to 1990 and served as musical director for Dylan’s 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration in 1992. From 2010 to 2013, Smith was a guitarist for Roger Waters’ “The Wall Live” tour. He received a Grammy nomination in 1997 for his work with Buddy Guy on the album “Live! The Real Deal.” Smith has also released solo albums such as “In the World” (1981), “Get a Little” (1993), “Incense, Herbs and Oils” (1998), and “Stony Hill” (2020) with Leroy Bell. He has also led house bands for political conventions and special events, including the Kennedy Center Honors.
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