Legendary John Oates Discusses Break with Daryl Hall, Aging Gracefully and Reuniting with Himself

He may not be the tallest musician going, but John Oates casts a immensely large shadow in music. One part of the most successful duo in music history-Daryl Hall & John Oates-he co-wrote a number of the band’s legendary catalogue including "Sara Smile," "She’s Gone,” "Out of Touch,” "You Make My Dreams,” "I Can’t Go for That," "Maneater” and more. In 2014, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2014, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
But at 76, Oates is taking stock in his life, reflecting on the love he shares with his wife and their son, with his father who is 100, and those who are truly important to him.
“I wanted to make sure that things were clean and tight as I move forward in my life,” Oates said on the most recent episode of The Load Out Music Podcast.
Without question, he’s moving on-leaving his immensely successful business and artistic partnership with Hall behind, working to sell his stake in the duo’s catalogue, touring with a new band and performing songs that have deeper meaning in his life. Oates is simply going forward and disconnecting from things that have held him up.
He lays it all on the table in a great conversation on the Load Out. Enjoy!

[@lnlywriter9618]

I find the ending of the friendship and broken bonds between Daryl Hall and John Oates very, very sad. At one time, these guys were just tremendous friends....and sometimes things can change. Circumstances changes and people change and sometimes friendships and the bonds can change or even end. But I will say....I will always enjoy their music whether they are together or solo or with other bands and other musicians. I will enjoy their music, as these guys are truly great.

[@kenhicks5899]

The fact of the matter is that friends come and go in your life. It’s natural.

[@marilyn5925]

Great interview! It was pretty cool that John mentioned he was just at The Musical Instrument Museum. I went to his Friday concert. He was fantastic. Being onstage performing his songs, his way, rocked. Super happy for him! I also happened to go the last concert he did with Daryl, in Laughlin, 2 yrs ago. John was great and professional as usual, but the happiness glow, was missing. Glad he did what he did, to get the glow back.💙

[@Adulteducation8]

John, as a tremendous fan and a huge record collector, PLEASE release your new album on vinyl!

[@DonnaCouture]

It's nice to get John's feedback about moving on in his life and music so I now understand why he wants to move on from his Hall & Oates days. He's found where he feels comfortable with his music and that's the best thing for him. Really enjoyed this discussion.

[@timothyhilton3408]

John Oates: Out of the shadow and into the light.

[@jbyesterday3959]

Great, great share. Thanks !

[@bradleyifowler]

Mr Oates is amazing

[@youtubefan754]

I like the way that John talks and explains things. Very intellectual. And he does seem to have alot of points. But maybe I would be considered old fashioned, or archaic to John, because I am "old school" thinking. When John said that he and Daryl started their business partnership in 1972, I was 6 years old then! (And going through a tough time in my life). But about John; I wish I knew what he meant when he said that he had wanted to move on with his music career; exactly what is he referring to, or how was his plans causing a problem for Daryl? I don't know, only John knows Daryl, we are just the fans. Was John trying to reinvent himself, by starting a new business, and that he needed the funds to do that, so he had thought that selling his half to a company that made him an offer that he couldn't refuse, was the answer?? I can see why Daryl had a problem with that. Daryl probably felt that they had made all of those songs together as a team, and that John was planning to let that money-grabbing company to rip that apart?! Maybe Daryl could have given John a friendship loan-gift, to help John to get his new business up and running, without having to ruin a 50 year friendship-business relationship?

[@reg12269]

They already sold a lot of it..this is more about power and control from Daryl..about which songs r Johns and his..how much publishing rights to pay and which songs John can sing and use in his promotions

[@lolodee3528]

Only the Allen Sister’s shares

[@bobcorrin4037]

Makes Sense. Cheers

[@jonsimon5779]

John sees the H&O brand as complete and finished and Daryl wants to maintain it, it seems? Interesting info about the record grooves. Never knew that.

[@donmccollough3213]

Gotta agree with you in so far as i saw Daryl on his house band tour prior to this tour and i would also grade that as a 7. That grade was from what i thought was a below standard non-upbeat set list...even below this current tour set list. Vocally, it's just time taking it's toll. He's had ungodly adlib vocal skills both in content and range for so long..nothing lasts forever! Touring, living, and bitching seems to have taken some of the life out of the Daryl Hsll "experience"... I can't put a definite "that's it" on it, but that's my 2 cents. Freshness is everything and it's a real challenge to bring earlier energies to a night in 2024. It may have just been the night i went(like you)...but who knows. Based on my musical ear, 7 for the performance and 10 for my Hall/Oates/catalog opinion. Great channel and review btw!!

[@kathyjohnson7778]

The interviewer acts like Daryl doesn't have a life outside of H&O....Daryl has an amazing fulfilled life as well. There is so much more to this story than either Daryl or John legally or willingly will share. Daryl has remained pretty private about this suit where John yaks about it every interview. He just mentioned that its to bad that it was leaked and should of remained private but yet here he is in every interview talking about it. There are 2 sides to every story and no one has heard Daryls side. It always takes 2 to have a rift and each person has played a part in this rift. They both are great humans, with amazing talent. This rift shouldn't be news worthy.

[@reg12269]

Because Daryl aggressively did a restraining order and made it public, openly humiliating John again… so talking is his way of defending himself with his megaphone

[@Adulteducation8]

Or maybe release a bunch of 7” singles!!

[@YouCanCallMeDon]

The problem is, if John passes away -- as we all do, then he is leaving his family with a messy business arrangement. When you get a certain age and you are a responsible person, you make plans that include the fact that all of us eventually die. That's not to say he is going to die anytime soon, but you do have to plan for the worst when it comes to your estate. John is entitled to simplify his financial life in all manner... and Daryl really needs to respect that and do the work to allow it to happen without being a bitch about it.

[@waynedexter]

How do you know Oates calling the situation with Hall a “messy business situation” is actually true? …and him not trying to portray himself as the victim in the court of public opinion Because ultimately we’re only getting one side and that side can’t/won’t give us specifics

[@julieblakeman9364]

A very interesting listen. John is extremely articulate and engaging with so much information (the vinyl groove thing has blown my mind!). With regard to the split, John & Daryl are so different - their attitudes and lifestyles are miles apart. Daryl has been very disrespectful to John in interviews which is a shame. The interesting thing is that Daryl has implied John made little contribution to their partnership and yet he seems to be the one who is unable to work alone.

[@garryallen4155]

They'll re-unite and tour again 2025/26... reunion seems part of the cycle these days.

[@tallguynmass]

Hall & Oates had a great run for a long time but like a bad marriage it eventually ended. It's just too bad both guys can't work out their financial details privately and just move on in separate directions permanently. Both guys are in their seventies & no one is going to live forever.

[@waynedexter]

I understand that the interviewer is friends with Oates. But with that said he should’ve kept himself neutral when discussing what’s going on with Hall and Oates, instead of painting Oates as the victim. Because he’s only hearing one side of the story, Oates’ side, and that side is very vague at that.

[@reg12269]

As his friend, not his job to b neutral.. read wat u want

[@waynedexter]

@@reg12269 Thats your criteria for a friend. I prefer friends to be honest with me and not stroke my ego. Especially if I were in a situations like this.