John Oates, half of the hugely successful pop rock duo Hall & Oates, has opened up about his partnership with his friend. Hall was granted a temporary restraining order against Oates in a Nashville court, after he filed a confidential lawsuit against him. Hall is trying to block the sale of his share of Whole Oats Enterprises to Primary Wave Music, which has acquired numerous song catalogues by artists including Prince, Bob Marley, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, and The Doors. Hall called the planned sale a blatant violation of longstanding business agreements in a declaration filed in November. On the latest episode of Behind the Velvet Rope, Oates said that his band's music will hopefully live on forever. He said that the Hall & Oates catalog of hits and the 50-year career will always trump almost anything that Daryl does on his own or I do on my own. I am very proud of what we created together.
I don't like to live in the past, but I do like to go to a great museum and see all the beautiful paintings or the exhibits, and then near, and that's what I like to do. I feel like I can't wait to leave.
It was very intense, there was no time for reflection, and we were at the top of the pop world. We had a No 1 record after a No 1 record. I liked the 70s more than the 80s because they were new.
When asked if there was a song he would be happy to never play live again, Oates said, "To be honest with you, I am not really touring with Daryl these days." I feel like a breath of fresh air when I play new music because I am doing solo shows.
He said that he has moved on and that it was just a matter of living in his present. If you decide to retire at 80 years old, you can sell your publishing, but I wouldn't suggest it.
The case will have to be heard in arbitrators before the Whole Oats assets can be sold to Primary Wave. The duo, behind hits including Private Eyes, Rich Girl, Maneater and You Make My Dreams, formed in 1972 and have never officially broken up. In his declaration in November, Hall said they were already engaged in a divorce that would end their partnership.