After a golden period of over half a century of making music together, Daryl Hall and John Oates ended their partnership. Their split arises from disagreements concerning their jointly owned business, Whole Oats Enterprises.
According to Variety, the conflict's roots can be traced back to John Oates' decision to sell his share in Whole Oats Enterprises, a significant step that required Daryl Hall's approval.
This company managed crucial aspects like trademarks, recording royalties, and digital rights.
Daryl Hall stated the developments took him aback. From his residence in the Bahamas, he shared his profound disappointment over this unforeseen turn of events.
Daryl Hall mentioned that despite sharing the stage, he and John had not collaborated creatively for the last 25 years.
They had limited their interactions to live performances, focusing on long-established tracks rather than new creations.
Daryl Hall's upcoming venture is a solo album, the product of his work with producer Dave Stewart. Set for release on June 21, it promises to showcase Hall's musical evolution with many collaborations, though reflecting more on personal challenges than his recent professional split.
Daryl Hall described the disintegration of their partnership, emphasizing change and the complex nature of human relationships:
I don’t know, man — all I can say is people change and sometimes you don’t really know someone like you thought you did. Difficulties can be made from things that aren’t difficult, and then it goes to a place where it can never come back from. It’s unfortunate and untimely, but some things just change. People rewrite history and harbor thoughts you had no idea about.
Despite the dissolution of Hall & Oates, Daryl Hall is actively pursuing his solo career. His new web series, "Live from Daryl's House," has returned from a hiatus. Furthermore, he is preparing for an upcoming tour with Elvis Costello that promises to be a highlight of the musical calendar.
The tour will kick off on June 2 and span several major cities, including Troutdale, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York. The series of concerts will run through mid-July, underscoring Hall's dedication to his solo efforts.
In reflections on his new work and upcoming projects, Hall reveals that the themes in his latest music stem from personal life events rather than his professional break-up. His experiences influenced his recent songwriting during his divorce, which he describes as "very dramatic because I was writing in the middle of all this turmoil."
Daryl Hall continues to grapple with unresolved feelings despite his forward-looking career moves. When asked if things had settled down following the split, he candidly responded, "I wish I could say yes, but no, nothing’s been resolved."
The end of Hall & Oates isn't just the conclusion of a musical partnership but a disruptive pivot in Daryl Hall's professional path, which he continues to navigate.
