Daryl Hall, one half of the iconic duo Hall & Oates, has recently opened up about his solo project ‘D’ and the split with his longtime partner John Oates. The news of their separation has left fans in shock, as the duo has been synonymous with each other for over five decades. Their bond, rooted in a shared love for soul and doo-wop music, seemed unbreakable, much like peanut butter and jelly.
The rift began when Oates attempted to sell his share of their jointly owned company, Whole Oats Enterprises, without Hall’s consent. This company controls various assets, including trademarks, personal name and likeness rights, record royalty income, and social media properties. Hall, speaking from his home in the Bahamas, expressed his surprise and disappointment over the situation. “It hit me by surprise,” he said. “People change, and sometimes you don’t really know someone like you thought you did.”
Hall confirmed that the split is final, stating, “That is correct,” when asked if we’ve seen the last of Hall & Oates. He revealed that their creative relationship had been non-existent for at least 25 years, with their collaboration limited to live performances. “We had an arrangement that I couldn’t play my solo songs onstage with Hall & Oates — and now I get to,” Hall added.
Hall is now focusing on his upcoming sixth solo album, ‘D,’ which reunites him with longtime collaborator Dave Stewart. Stewart, a fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, produced Hall’s second solo album, “Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine,” in 1986. “Dave has been my shadow partner since 1984,” Hall said. “This was a real duo album, two people coming together, understanding one another and writing songs.”
The album, set to release on June 21, showcases Hall’s talent as a singer-songwriter. The first single, “Can’t Say No to You,” epitomizes the sweet, street-corner Philly soul that has characterized Hall’s music from the start. Other tracks, like the Beatlesque “The Whole World’s Better,” reflect a variety of influences.
Despite the titles of some songs, Hall insists that they are not about his split with Oates. “These songs couldn’t be less about that,” he said. Instead, they reflect his personal struggles over the past decade, particularly with romantic relationships. Hall, who divorced his British wife Amanda Aspinall in 2015, explained that songs like “Rather Be a Fool” were written during tumultuous times in his life.
Hall’s career has seen a resurgence in recent years, partly due to his web series, “Live from Daryl’s House,” which returned last year after a five-year hiatus. The series features Hall collaborating with various artists, showcasing his versatility and creativity. “It defined me, that’s what I really am,” Hall said. “I love working with other people. It gives me something to hang my creativity on.”
Hall is also embarking on a solo tour with Elvis Costello, starting June 2 in Troutdale, Oregon. The tour includes dates at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, and New York’s Radio City Music Hall. This tour, along with his new album and the relaunch of his web series, marks a new chapter in Hall’s career.
However, Hall admits that the split with Oates still weighs on his mind. “I wish I could say yes, but no, nothing’s really been resolved,” he said. Despite this, Hall remains proud of his new album and is eager to share it with his fans. “I got things off my chest, and I’m ready to get out there and sing for people,” he concluded.
