Daryl Hall

The former half of hugely successful duo Hall & Oates plays five solo UK shows in May.

- 

During a glittering run that began back in 1970 and ended acrimoniously last year, based on chart positions and records sold Daryl Hall and John Oates became the most successful duo in rock history, eclipsing the achievements of Simon & Garfunkel, The Carpenters and the Everly Brothers, with hits including Maneater, I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) and Kiss On My List. Now, following the break-up with Oates (the specifics of which were 'off limits' in our interview), Hall returns to the UK for a five-date solo tour.

Now that you're up on the stage alone, do the fans react to the show in a different way?

It [the show] is a whole other thing... It's even better [laughs]. That's the best way I can express it, talking about the vibe. There's a more personal type of love [between artist and audience]. Everybody tells me that it's a happier experience.

When are the times that you miss John?

There isn't a time. There never was [laughs].

But you were together for so long.

No, no, no. We were business partners. We started out together as kids, but that sort of... morphed very, very early on.

Hall & Oates have sold more albums than any other duo in music history. What was the magic that you had?

It didn't have anything to do with magic, it had to do with the songs. That's the truth of it.