John Oates of Hall & Oates fondly reflected on his and Daryl Hall's six decades in the music industry amid their ongoing legal dispute – which began last month.
In a new interview with the Behind the velvet rope with David Yontef podcast, Oates admitted that their independent projects will never surpass what they created as a duo.
“You can't ignore the fact that Hall & Oates' catalog of hits and its 50-year career will always trump almost anything Daryl does alone or I do alone, and that's okay because I'm very proud of it. that music,” Oates, 75, said.
“I'm really proud of what Daryl and I have created together. I think we made music that will stand the test of time.”
He added, “I don't like living in the past,” before using an analogy to compare the current state of their partnership to a long day on your feet.
'It's like you go to a great museum and you're really excited to see all the beautiful paintings or the exhibitions or whatever it may be, and then towards the end your feet start to hurt and you say, 'You know what? I can't wait to get out of here.' That's kind of how I feel about it,” the guitarist and singer said.
Tensions between the musicians began when Hall, 77, filed a lawsuit in November over Oates' alleged plan to sell his stake in their joint venture Whole Oats Enterprises LLP (WOE) to a third party, Primary Waves Music, without permission from the other.
John Oates of Hall & Oates fondly reflected on his and Daryl Hall's six decades in the music industry as he spoke about their ongoing legal dispute; seen in September
Hall argues that Oates' deal would violate a business agreement previously reached by the pair People.
According to the complaint, in October 2021, the musicians entered into an agreement to form Whole Oats Enterprises LLP (WOE), a limited liability company owned and controlled by the musicians.
Shortly after filing his lawsuit, Hall was granted a temporary restraining order to give the legal proceedings time.
Hall also filed a statement accusing Oates of “the ultimate partnership betrayal” for planning to sell his share of the duo's publications to Primary Wave Music, while Oates responded that Hall's statements were “inflammatory, bizarre and inaccurate ' goods.
Court documents show that Hall believes Oates timed his sales attempt in a way that would distract him and ruin his final tour.
According to the Associated press, Primary Wave has had a significant stake in the song catalog of Grammy-nominated musicians for over 15 years.
Hall's lawyers argue that much of the case should remain secret because it is a “private dispute… This is not a matter of legitimate public interest, although the parties are well known.” His legal team noted that the dispute concerns the interpretation of the 2021 agreement, the terms of which remain confidential.
Ultimately, the lawsuit will be decided during a confidential arbitration process.
As a duo, Hall & Oates reached the US Top 40 with 29 of their 33 singles charting on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1974 and 1991.
Hall filed his lawsuit in an attempt to stop Oates from selling his stake in a joint business venture to a third party, which Hall alleges would be a violation of a business agreement previously entered into by the pair; the hitmakers are seen in 1981
Hall & Oates are considered one of the best rock duos of all time; the couple is seen in 2014
Ultimately, this lawsuit brought by Daryl Hall will be resolved during a confidential arbitration process; the band is depicted during better times in 2017
Their many hit songs over the years include radio hits such as Rich Girl, Kiss On My List, Private Eyes, I Can't Go for That (No Can Do), Maneater, Out Of Touch, She's Gone, Sara Smile, Say it's not like that, You Make My Dreams, Family Man and Method Od Modern Love, among many others.
With more than 80 million copies sold, Hall & Oates are considered one of the most successful duos in rock history.
Throughout their collective career, the duo has released 18 studio albums, the most recent being the holiday-inspired Home For Christmas (2006).
Both musicians have also released five solo albums each during their respective careers, but neither has enjoyed the success they garnered during their time as a working unit.
