CATCHING UP WITH JOHN OATES

CAROL ANNE SZEL CONTACTS ONE HALF OF THE POP DUO HALL & OATES TO FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW AND WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2021.

- CAROL ANNE SZEL

THIRTY-THREE YEARS AGO, they were recognized as the number one selling duo in music history by the industry standard RIAA, a record that stands to this day. Over the years they garnered such hits as “Rich Girl,” “Maneater,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “Out of Touch” and more on their six platinum albums. They are Daryl Hall & John Oates, and Goldmine had the chance to catch up with co-founder and co-hitmaker Oates, calling in from the Nashville home he shares with his wife, Aimee.

This rock/soul/pop duo was signed by Ahmet Ertegun to his Atlantic Records label in the early 1970s, where Hall & Oates went on to put out their critically acclaimed album Abandoned Luncheonette shortly thereafter, with its hit single, “She’s Gone.” And, in addition to — and perhaps surpassed by — their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, the pair were presented with the BMI Icon Award in 2008 for their achievement in songwriting, as well as inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.