In the '70s and '80s, the music of Daryl Hall and John Oates was inescapable. From their folk origins with Whole Oats in 1972 to their disco-infused pop rock of the '80s, they attracted fans across all genres and disciplines. Despite their obvious synergy and monumental success, their beautiful partnership would not last. After over 50 years of friendship and musical collaboration, Hall and Oates feuded over the fate of their music and the brand they worked tirelessly to build.

In my high school years, my best friend and I identified deeply with the duo, seeing a reflection of our own friendship in them. In early 2020, we were entranced watching the two perform from the bleachers of Madison Square Garden. Unbeknownst to us, this was one of the very last Hall and Oates tours. Although we are not alone in holding the music of Daryl Hall and John Oates close to our hearts, their gradual drawn-out split caused the group to go out with little fanfare - but how did it all happen?

Hall And Oates Had Been Working Together For Over 50 Years

From 1970 to 2022, These Two Had A Long Journey

The origin of the group is humble and rather stereotypical. The men met at college when they both attended Temple University in the 1970s. John Oates was a journalism major at the university, while Daryl Hall was a music major, and they played in two different college bands (The Masters and the Temptones respectively). However, the day they met was an adrenaline-packed buddy-comedy movie scene.

Fate brought them together at the West Philadelphia venue Adelphi Ballroom, where a violent scrap broke out between rivaling fraternities - which Hall likened to gangs in an article published in The Temple News in 2008. The pair sought refuge in the same service elevator, and the rest is history.

The very first album released by Hall and Oates was Whole Oats, a sentimental folk rock project. It was the first of their impressive number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Of 34 of their Hot 100 hit songs, 16 of them soared all the way to the coveted top 10.

Hall and Oates will forever be known for the upbeat, punchy "You Make My Dreams" and the mysterious allure of "Maneater." The album H2O is widely regarded to be their best album, likely due to the success of "Maneater," "One On One," and the album's overall cohesion. However, I am partial to Abandoned Luncheonette, which blends their soulful roots with their yacht rock days (although Hall detests the term). "She's Gone" is my pick for the best Hall and Oates song of all time.

A Lawsuit Got Between The Artists

Say It Isn't So! The Two Could Not See Eye To Eye

A career of this magnitude is a one in a million blessing that cements the two as rock legends. The musical empire the two had built earned them more than just respect; their catalog was valued at somewhere between a quarter and half a million dollars, according to Music Business Worldwide. The end of their collaboration may be just as predictable as its inception, as disputes over money ultimately split the two apart.

This estate building would lead to their legal feud.

In the last decade, Hall and Oates wisely decided to create a t company, Whole Oats Enterprises LLP, to protect the rights to their songs and trademarks, with equal stakes. However, this estate building would lead to their legal feud, as they disagreed on what to do with their properties.

Daryl Hall and John Oates battled in court for months in the latter half of 2023 rolling into 2024. According to The New York Times (NYT), the inciting incident in the long litigation process was Oates' attempt to sell his half of their business to the company Primary Wave Music without consulting Hall and getting his permission. Hall brought the case to court as a last resort to stop Oates' sale so that the two could undergo an arbitration process with a third party.

Daryl Hall Won The Lawsuit In The End

A Bitter End To An Amazing Career

It is unfortunate to see that the two musicians' fractured relationship goes beyond the poisonous influence of money. NYT reported that Hall felt Oates was "adversarial and aggressive" in their interactions. These sore feelings likely made Hall feel that he was backed into a corner with no option other than a lawsuit. In the end, Daryl Hall's feelings of betrayal were vindicated when a restraining order was filed in his favor that successfully blocked Oates from selling until they were able to complete their arbitration process.

Sources: Pennsylvania Center for The Book, The Temple News, Music Business Worldwide, The New York Times