Hall & Oates are embroiled in a confidential legal battle that has resulted in Daryl Hall obtaining a restraining order against his former music partner John Oates.
Little information about the lawsuit is publicly available because court documents are sealed. However, according to court records, Hall filed an undisclosed complaint against Oates and a request for a temporary restraining order on November 16, Philadelphia magazine reported. The following day, the court officially issued a temporary restraining order, which is set to take effect on November 30th.
The Nashville Chancery Court confirmed the existence of the lawsuit to Variety but declined further comment because the lawsuit is sealed.
As TMZ points out, Hall disparaged Oates on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast last year, saying, “Do you think John Oates is my partner?” …He’s my business partner. He’s not my creative partner.”
He continued: “John and I are brothers, but we are not creative brothers. We are business partners. We made records together called Hall & Oates, but we were always very separate, and that’s a really important thing to me.”
Hall then belittled the collaborative aspect of Hall & Oates by using the duo’s 1980 No. 1 hit “Kiss on My List” as an example of their apparent creative separation. “I did all of that [harmonies]Hall said. “This is all me.” Oates is not credited as a songwriter on “Kiss on My List,” but is listed as a co-producer with Hall.
Hall & Oates met in 1967, formed their duo three years later and have released 18 studio albums since their debut, Whole Oats, in 1972. The pop-R&B duo boasts six No. 1 singles, including “Maneater,” “Rich Girl” and “Out of Touch.” Hall & Oates toured together as recently as October 2022 and released their latest studio album, “Home for Christmas,” in 2006. Both Hall and Oates have pursued solo careers and toured separately over the years, however the duo never officially split up.
Additional reporting by Variety staff.