Daryl Hall and John Oates: the original American gigolos
(Credit: Tony Barnhard)
Don’t even get me started on Maroon 5, who should throw Hall & Oates a huge “Thanks for the great idea” party. And what is my man Justin Timberlake but Daryl Hall 2.0 with a buzz cut and Michael Jackson's dance moves? Nice work, if you can get it.
The youngsters are all over H&O as well, with pop-hoppers Gym Class Heroes working on a collection of mash-ups featuring their lyrics over the music from songs such as "Family Man" and "Out of Touch." Hall & Oates' influence on contemporary pop music is inescapable.
Looking back at the Philadelphia duo’s storied history, it’s hard not to recognize just how awesome of a band they really are. A quick trip to Amoeba unearthed a handful of vital vinyl gems—most notably, greatest-hits collection “Rock ’N Soul Part 1.” (It even has the free 1984 calendar intact. Score!) The time was ripe for further investigation.
The results were nothing less than staggering. Hall & Oates are stone-cold pimps and one of the greatest musical duos America has ever produced. Check it.
1. The songs
You simply cannot deny the brilliance of H&O’s best songs. They come at you relentlessly on "Rock ’N Soul Part 1." From swingy radio pop (“Maneater”) to heartfelt soul ballads (the eternal "Sara Smile") to trippy new-wave weirdness (“Adult Education”), it’s one great tune after another. Hall & Oates also boast an endless supply of killer album tracks, such as "Open All Night" from "H20" and "Everytime You Go Away" from "Voices," which U.K. crooner Paul Young covered into a No. 1 hit.
2. Daryl Hall’s voice
Speaking of ones, Hall’s vocal performance on the hit "One on One" song showcases all of his strengths: an effortless falsetto; a smooth, even tone; and a soulfulness that comes from growing up on the mean streets of Philadelphia. It was the best male vocal performance of 1982, hands down.
3. They know how to grind
Don’t think H&O had it easy. These guys had to grind it out on the road and the radio for years before reaching their pinnacle. They had a minor hit with "She’s Gone" in 1973, but it wasn’t until the band Tavares covered it that the song really had any impact. It took until 1975 and “Sara Smile” for them to connect again. After their first No. 1 with "Rich Girl" in 1976, they fought their way to the 1980s, where all their hard work started to pay off with "Kiss on My List," which topped the charts in 1981.
4. The show
All that persistent touring turned H&O into a live juggernaut, able to slay massive arenas and intimate theaters with equal aplomb. Their current lineup features bassist T-Bone Wolk and saxophonist Charles DeChant, both of whom have been with the band for years. The fans still come out in droves, bringing homemade signs with song requests written on them. H&O are cool enough to actually pick songs from the crowd to play.
5.The style
Much like their young contemporaries, H&O always made sure that the presentation was tight. When they really started to rule the charts in the 1980s, they quickly sidled up with MTV and produced a long string of fun, snappy videos that perfectly captured the slickness and immediacy of the tunes. A mid-'70s promo shot says it all—from the windblown hair to the come-hither stares to the matching H&O pendant chains on those bare chests, they look like the cover of GQ circa July 1977. And that's hot.
6. The mustache
No discussion of H&O is complete without paying tribute to John Oates and his own singular style. Playing the dark mop-topped foil to Hall’s angular blondness, Oates and his manly ’stache complete the package. With his trusty Stratocaster and spot-on harmonies at the ready, Oates is like Robin to Hall’s Batman. And everybody knows Batman needs his Robin.
Put H&O’s kiss on your list—they’ll be playing the Troubadour May 22 and 23 at 8 p.m.
Scott T. Sterling is Music editor for Metromix Los Angeles.
