Big John Bates, born in Vancouver, Canada, was a Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He initially aspired to be an ice hockey goaltender before turning to the guitar at the age of 15. He co-founded Annihilator with Jeff Waters in the early 1980s, contributing to their debut album Alice in Hell (1989). Following Annihilator's dissolution, Bates formed Bates Motel and later Big John Bates & the Voodoo Dollz, known for blending rock 'n' roll with burlesque performances. The group released four critically acclaimed LPs and two DVDs, touring extensively across Europe and North America. In 2012, he formed Noirchestra, delving into a Gothic Americana sound with three albums. Throughout his career, he had long-term sponsorships with Jagermeister, Gretsch guitars, and Hofner basses.
