Wallace gained membership of Chapin's band by responding to an ad placed in the Village Voice in 1971.

[1] Other responders to the ad included cellist Tim Scott and guitarist Ron Palmer.

However, John displayed a remarkable vocal range, as he also sang the baritone parts in "Mr. Tanner" and "30,000 Pounds of Bananas".

[citation needed] Wallace performed the singing voice of Bluto on the soundtrack and album of Robert Altman's 1980 feature film Popeye, starring Robin Williams.

[citation needed] In 1991, the band he spent ten years with was reunited with Steve Chapin at the helm.