Amy Lee of Evanescence has established herself as a prominent figure in the rock music scene, but long before her rise to fame, her father, John Lee, had his own moment of national recognition. He won an episode of the late 1970s to early ’80s talent show The Gong Show, and like his daughter, he was also a singer.

About Amy Lee’s Father

While Amy Lee began her music career at a young age, she benefited from her father’s guidance, who has been immersed in music for most of his life.

“[He was a radio DJ], 30 years. From oldies to pop rock to easy listening. We moved around a lot because of my dad’s job,” Amy recalled during her conversation with Q With Tom Power.

During the interview, Amy also mentioned that her father had a music career before becoming a radio DJ.

“My dad was in a band before being a DJ. He was in a rock band called The Hard Luck Band. They played covers and originals, and my dad was the lead singer and guitar player.”

“Actually, my dad was on The Gong Show. He won The Gong Show. You can find it online. John Lee sings [Eagles’ 1973 ballad] ‘Desperado.’ He was really good, but if you look at him back then, I think it was 1980 or 1979, he looks just like me with a mustache. We look the same. It’s so funny.”

The Gong Show was a quirky amateur talent competition that aired on network television from 1976 to 1980. The show featured a variety of acts including comedians, musicians, and stunt performers, with three celebrity judges scoring them from one to ten or using a mallet to hit a giant gong for particularly poor performances.

In video footage shared by the YouTube account PatootyBear, Lee is welcomed to the stage by The Gong Show host Chuck Barris before performing the song.

John Lee Sings “Desperado” on The Gong Show

What Amy Lee’s Father Thought of Her Pursuing Music

When discussing her upbringing, Lee was asked about her father’s feelings regarding her decision to pursue music at such a young age.

She recalled, “He was so proud. Definitely cautious for me and semi-protective. He was just worried for me and making sure I was taken care of because I was a teenager when we got signed.”

Amy added, “I went to college for one semester in Tennessee and we got a record deal and left, and he was like, ‘Okay.’ He had to just wave goodbye and let me go.”

READ MORE: Evanescence’s Amy Lee — The 2026 Cover Story Interview

Soon it was her and a group of guys hitting the road to launch their career. “I know that was hard,” says Amy. “My parents were so proud of me.”

Evanescence’s Amy Lee Guests on Q With Tom Power

John Lee’s 2010s Musical Re-emergence

Although his music career did not reach the heights of his daughter’s, John Lee appeared on a 2016 children’s album titled Dream Too Much, which was recorded by Amy Lee.

Amy shared in promotional materials prior to the album’s release that it initially consisted of four or five songs she intended to present to her father as a birthday gift for his 60th birthday. However, when Amazon approached her about creating a full children’s album, she accepted.

John Lee is credited as a co-writer on the tracks “Little Bird,” “The End of the Book,” and “If You’re a Star.”

“Every song on this album has a story – whether it’s an original for our son based on his favorite things or a song my dad used to sing to me when I was little. I can’t begin to tell you how fulfilling this project has been,” Amy shared at the time. “It’s just been extremely good for my heart and for my family too.”

Amy Lee, “If You’re a Star”

Below, see which Evanescence song made the list for our Best Rock Songs of Each Year Since 1970.