Daryl Hall Sues John Oates, Gets Restraining Order in Secret Legal Battle

Daryl Hall has obtained a restraining order against John Oates, his former musical partner in Hall & Oates, as part of a secret legal dispute. The lawsuit is not open to the public, as the court papers are hidden, but Philadelphia magazine reported that Hall filed a complaint of unknown nature against Oates on Nov. 16, along with a request for a temporary restraining order. The court granted the restraining order the next day, effective from Nov. 30. The Nashville Chancery Court verified that the lawsuit exists, but did not provide any more details because the lawsuit is sealed. Hall criticized Oates on Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast last year, as TMZ noted, saying, “You think John Oates is my partner? … He’s my business partner. He’s not my creative partner.”

He added, “John and I are brothers, but we are not creative brothers. We are business partners. We made records called Hall & Oates together, but we’ve always been very separate, and that’s a really important thing for me.”

Hall then downplayed the cooperative aspect of Hall & Oates, using their 1980 No. 1 hit “Kiss on My List” as an example of their apparent creative separation. “I did all those [harmonies],” Hall said. “That’s all me.” Oates is not listed as a songwriter on “Kiss on My List,” but is credited as a co-produced with Hall.

Hall & Oates met in 1967, formed their duo three years later and have released 18 studio albums since their 1972 debut, “Whole Oats.” The pop-R&B duo has six No. 1 singles, including “Maneater,” “Rich Girl” and “Out of Touch.” Hall & Oates toured together as recently as October 2022, and they released their latest studio album, “Home for Christmas,” in 2006. Both Hall and Oates have solo recording careers and have toured separately over the years, but the duo has never officially split up.