John Oates Reflects on Potential Collaboration with Daryl Hall Following Lawsuit: 'Never Say Never'
John Oates discusses the possibility of collaborating with Daryl Hall in the future, despite their legal dispute
Daryl Hall and John Oates Andy Sheppard/Redferns via Getty Images
Despite their recent legal drama, John Oates is not ruling out the possibility of working with collaborator Daryl Hall again. "I never say never to anything," Oates, 75, told Entertainment Weekly on Thursday, December 14. "I don’t know what’s going to happen, but ... right now, I’m focused on where I am in life and leading the best life I can and moving forward."
Oates made these comments following a complaint and motion for a temporary restraining order filed by Hall last month. Hall took legal action against his former bandmate due to Oates’ plan to sell his share of their joint business venture, Primary Wave Music, which would reportedly breach their business contract, according to the Associated Press. A judge approved Hall's request for a restraining order to halt the sale temporarily while legal proceedings continue.
Despite their strained relationship, Hall recently took the stage at Tokyo Garden Theater in Japan to perform a selection of Hall & Oates classics. Variety reports that the musician delighted fans with renditions of "Private Eyes," "Out of Touch," and "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" during the concert.
Daryl Hall and John Oates formed their self-titled band in 1970 and have since released 18 studio albums together. Their final album, Home for Christmas, was released in 2006. The duo has achieved six No. 1 singles, including "Kiss on My List" and "Rich Girl."
Although most well-known as a pair, Hall minimized his working relationship with Oates during an appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast in September 2022.
Daryl Hall and John Oates, seen here in an image from Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, have a unique dynamic. "I don’t have a partner. You say John Oates is my partner? … He’s my business partner. He’s not my creative partner," Hall explained. "John and I are brothers, but we are not creative brothers. We are business partners. We made records called Hall & Oates together, but we’ve always been very separate, and that’s a really important thing for me."
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Hall has also expressed frustration with the business deals of the group. In 2007, Hall & Oates’ musical catalog was acquired by Primary Wave, a decision that Hall later seemed to regret. In May 2021, he spoke to Sky News about the early days when the catalog was sold off without him receiving the money. He admitted to having some of his publishing intact, but also acknowledged that a lot of bad business had been done in the early days. Hall cautioned against selling publishing rights, emphasizing the importance of holding on to it as an artist's most valuable asset.
