Daryl Hall has filed a lawsuit against his Hall & Oates bandmate John Oates.
The Grammy-nominated duo have split and reunited with Hall, 77, and his trust, the Daryl Hall Revocable Trust, several times throughout their careers. Now he is suing Oates, 75, and his individual trust, The John W. Oates TISA Trust, his co-trustees, on Nov. 16 in Nashville Chancery Court, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Because the documents have been sealed and classified as a “contract/debt matter” and both parties have yet to comment on the situation, the details of the lawsuit are sparse.
However, TMZ claims that the couple was in arbitration “over a dispute,” possibly “over the division of royalties, or it could be about Oates singing her songs as a soloist.”
The outlet also reported that Hall requested a restraining order against Oates, which the judge granted.
Lawsuit: Daryl Hall (right) has filed a lawsuit against his Hall & Oates bandmate John Oates (left); Seen in 1980
Details: Hall and his trust, the Daryl Hall Revocable Trust, sued Oates and his individual trust, the John W. Oates TISA Trust and his co-trustees, in Nashville Chancery Court on November 16; seen in 2019
Formed in Philadelphia in 1970, Hall & Oates is the most commercially successful duo in the history of recorded music. It surpasses Simon and Garfunkel and The Everly Brothers.
In their peak years from 1974 to 1991, the duo achieved an impressive feat with 29 Top 40 hits.
Their timeless jams include “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do),” “Maneater,” “Rich Girl,” “Kiss On My List,” “Out Of Touch,” and “Private Eyes.”
They have also been inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
But not everything went smoothly.
In 1987, due to accounting irregularities, the couple learned that they were virtually bankrupt despite sell-out tours and record-breaking album sales.
Oates was even forced to sell his four houses, his airplane and his vintage car collection.
They also sued their own publisher in 2008 and a cereal company in 2015 over the sale of Haulin’ Oats.
Litigation: Because the documents have been sealed and classified as a “contract/debt” matter and no party has yet issued a statement on the situation, the details of the litigation are sparse; Hall seen in 2019
Sealed case: However, TMZ claims that the couple “was in arbitration over a dispute,” possibly “over the division of royalties, or it could be over Oates singing her songs in solo performances”; Oates seen in 2019
Rich Girl: Formed in Philadelphia in 1970, Hall and Oates are the most commercially successful duo in recorded music history. They surpass Simon and Garfunkel and The Everly Brothers. Seen in 1979
Record-breaking: In the peak years from 1974 to 1991, the duo achieved an impressive performance with 29 top 40 hits
Rifts: And despite their success, the duo often hasn’t played or recorded together for years; seen in 1985
And despite their success, the duo has often spent years not playing or recording together.
Hall said last year that the pair would not release new music together.
“I have no plans to work with John. I mean, whatever. Only time will tell,” he told the LA Times.
He mentioned that they had already collaborated on music before the pandemic, adding: “Perceptions changed, life changed, everything changed. “I’m more interested in pursuing my own world. And John too.’
He added: “That brings me back to what I said about duos.” I had to say: “And John too.” I couldn’t just say what I think, I had to add what he thinks. That’s the beauty of being a duo.”