Lauren Sarner
They’re not making each other’s dreams come true.
Pop rock duo Daryl Hall, 77, and John Oates, 75, are no longer making sweet music together — instead, they’re embroiled in a feud and legal battle.
It all began when Hall filed a lawsuit against his former musical partner Oates on Nov. 16.
Fans took to social media to express their disbelief over the news, with one writing: “Daryl Hall is suing John Oates. The documents are sealed so we don’t know why yet. But I’m suddenly depressed.”
Hall and Oates, famous for 70s and 80s yacht rock hits like “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” and “Rich Girl,” first met while attending Temple University in Philadelphia in 1967.
They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. When they played together at a sold-out show in Madison Square Garden in February 2020, the men spoke to The Post — separately, in a sign of what was to come.
“No. John and I never fight,” Hall told The Post when asked if they ever argued over a song. “We’ve never had a real fight since we’ve known each other — and that’s since we were kids, teenagers. We just know to deal with each other. That’s why we’re still together.”
Oates said: “The fact that Daryl and I are still friends, that he and I still get along — it’s a miracle. But we do.”
Last year, Hall revealed that the pair would no longer make music as a duo together. “I don’t have any plans to work with John. I mean, whatever. Time will tell,” he explained to the Los Angeles Times.
“Life changed, everything changed,” Hall continued. “I’m more interested in pursuing my own world. And so is John.”
So, what happened? Here’s a breakdown.
Daryl filing revealed
On Nov. 16, Hall filed a lawsuit in Nashville, Tennessee, relating to a “contract/debt,” according to court records viewed by The Post.
Since court documents are sealed, not much was known about the lawsuit’s details at the time.
But based on court records, Hall and his organization, the Daryl Hall Revocable Trust, filed an undisclosed complaint against Oates’ trust, The John W. Oates TISA Trust, and its co-trustees in Davidson County Chancery Court.
The lawsuit also named Oates’ wife, Aimee, who holds the role as trustee of her husband’s investment trust.
Restraining order
The following day, the court officially issued a temporary restraining order, to begin Nov. 30, against Oates. There are no details as to what the injunction prohibits Oates from doing.
What filing could be about
The duo appeared to be having creative differences.
During an appearance on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, Hall downplayed their partnership.
“You think John Oates is my partner? … He’s my business partner,” he said in September 2022. “He’s not my creative partner.”
Hall also implied that he did most of the work. He cited the duo’s 1980 No. 1 hit “Kiss on My List” as an example of his creative superiority. “I did all those [harmonies],” Hall said. “That’s all me.” (Oates isn’t credited as a songwriter on “Kiss on My List,” but is listed as a co-producer with Hall).
Hall has released five solo albums throughout his career, starting with “Sacred Songs” in 1980. Although he always reunited with Oates to tour and record, he revealed that he didn’t like being a duo.
“I don’t like it,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “John and I call our touring company ‘Two-Headed Monster,’ because it is that. It’s very annoying to be a duo, because people always say, ‘Oh, you’re the tall one, you’re the short one. You’re the one that sings, you’re the one that doesn’t sing.’ You’re always compared to the other person. It works with comedy entities, like Laurel and Hardy or Abbott and Costello, but with music, it’s f – – ked up, actually.”
In 2021, Hall also warned artists to hold onto their publishing rights while talking to Sky News, saying “all that you have is that.”
“Oh, in the early days, it got sold off for me and I didn’t get the money,” he said.
Cryptic Thanksgiving post
On November 23 — one week after the filing — Oates broke his silence about his battle with Hall. On his social media channels, Oates posted a Thanksgiving message preaching “a more compassionate and supportive world.”
“During this time of communal reflection and connection with loved ones, let’s not forget those experiencing challenges globally,” the Hall & Oates musician wrote.
“As we come together, consider reaching out to support those in need—whether through local charities or international humanitarian initiatives. May our collective efforts contribute to a more compassionate and supportive world.”
Official reason why Daryl filed
According to TMZ, Hall and Oates are disputing over what songs Oates is allowed to sing by himself, as a solo artist.
The list of songs the duo are having a legal battle over reportedly include, “Kiss On My List,” “Rich Girl,” “Maneater,” “You Make My Dreams,” “One on One,” “Out of Touch,” “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling” and “Private Eyes.”
Oates had a slew of concerts in November – which corresponds to Hall filing on Nov. 16. Hall also had a concert in Tokyo, where he played the duo’s hits solo.
On Nov 26, more details about the filing emerged. Unsealed records show that Chancellor Russell Perkins issued a temporary restraining order against Oates and his trust to halt the sale of his share of Whole Oats Enterprises LLP to Primary Wave Music for 15 days or until an arbitrator makes a ruling.
The suit was first lodged after Oates performed solo shows in which he sang songs that Hall was credited for writing.
In the suit, Hall’s lawyers claimed Oates and his team violated a confidentiality provision by sharing their business arrangement in a letter of intent to Primary Wave, which they say should legally negate the sale.
The “entire Unauthorized Transaction is the product of an indisputable breach of contract,” Hall alleged, according to filings.
The case will now be heard during a Nov. 30 court hearing.
This post was originally posted by NYPost
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