John Oates Revels in Creative Freedom 50 Years After Hall & Oates, Rules Out Reunion

After a tumultuous legal battle with former bandmate Daryl Hall, John Oates reflects on his musical journey and newfound freedom, dismissing any possibility of a Hall & Oates reunion.

In the annals of music history, Hall & Oates stand as an iconic duo, generating hit after hit in the '70s and '80s. But behind the infectious melodies and sold-out concerts, there simmered creative constraints, as John Oates candidly revealed to Fox News Digital.

"I can't speak for Daryl, but I think we both prioritized the collective," Oates explained. "We created an incredible legacy and body of music that will stand the test of time. But because of that, I think we were both constrained."

Oates felt stifled by the weight of their shared success, believing that every individual project was overshadowed by the enduring appeal of Hall & Oates.

"Here again, I won't speak for him, but ... I felt that every time I got momentum on an individual or solo project, it had to be curtailed or shortened to really go back to the ... what we laughingly used to call the 'two-headed monster.'"

The "two-headed monster" metaphor aptly captures the creative tension between Oates and Hall, which ultimately led to the decision to part ways. When asked directly about a reunion, Oates was unequivocal:

"I don't think so. I think I'm reveling in relishing this newfound freedom. That's just unbelievable to me. You have to remember, I did this for 50 years. That's a long time. A lot of people can't even conceive of that, much less do it."

The fact that Oates and Hall managed to maintain their partnership for half a century is a testament to their professionalism and dedication. Oates reflected on the challenges of balancing individual creativity with the demands of a wildly successful duo.

"The music business is a very, very complex business," Oates noted. "There's lots of aspects to it. There's the point of view of the artist and what the artist has to do. There's the point of view of the record companies. There’s the point of view of the managers, the PR people, the social media people, the roadies, the band members. They all have different agendas and challenges that they have to deal with."

Further complicating the situation, a legal battle has emerged between Oates and Hall over the ownership of their company, Whole Oats Enterprises.

"When this whole situation got mired in legality and really complex legal wranglings, I got really frustrated," Oates said. "And I said, ‘You know what? Daryl has always wanted to be his own man.’ I said, 'I’m going to give him the opportunity to do that. If I sell my half, he can … do what he wants."

Despite the highly publicized lawsuit, Oates refrained from providing specific details, emphasizing the importance of having a good lawyer in the music industry.

"The music business is a very, very complex business," he reiterated. "There's lots of aspects to it. There's the point of view of the artist and what the artist has to do. There's the point of view of the record companies. There’s the point of view of the managers, the PR people, the social media people, the roadies, the band members. They all have different agendas and challenges that they have to deal with."

With the legal battle looming, Oates has turned his attention to his own music, releasing his sixth studio album, "Reunion." This album marks a return to his musical roots, incorporating influences from bluegrass, blues, and swing that were somewhat overshadowed during his time with Hall & Oates.

"I've always been exploring my own creativity," Oates stated. "The difference now is that I'm fully committed to this. … [I’m] obviously not going to be working with Daryl anymore, so I can make my own schedules. I can decide how long I want to take to record if I want to be home, if I want to tour. It's a real, you know, kind of a freeing thing."

This newfound freedom has also influenced Oates' live performances. He no longer feels compelled to include Hall & Oates songs in his setlist.

"When I did start doing solo shows, there was an expectation, of course," Oates acknowledged. "They see my name, and of course they associate it with Hall & Oates. And they expected to hear Hall & Oates songs. And, at first, I think there was … kind of a … I had to push my way through."

"No one expects to hear me play Hall & Oates songs," Oates said of his solo performances. "And I just say, you know, you want to hear a whole song, you know, go buy the records."

Oates is adamant about not becoming a "nostalgia act," even though he understands the allure of hit-filled classic rock concerts.

"One thing I will say is that I never wanted to become a nostalgic act, and I didn't want to keep doing just a show full of hits," he emphasized. "But, believe me, it's one of the greatest problems a musician can have, right? A lot of artists would envy that position, to be able to go out there and play literally an entire concert of hit records, which is what Daryl and I could do."

"The negative part of that is that all you're doing is playing a series of hits, and you run the risk of becoming a caricature of yourself, and I really didn't want that to happen. I never wanted that to happen."

Oates recognized that money and a devoted audience can incentivize classic rock bands to tour, but he believes that playing new music is essential for artistic growth.

"What's the last thing you want to hear at a classic rock concert?" he quipped. "'Here's a song from our new album,' … That’s how it is. That's a reality."

As Oates embarks on his solo journey, he reflects on the profound impact of his time with Hall & Oates, acknowledging that the "two-headed monster" played a pivotal role in shaping his musical legacy. But with the shackles of creative constraints now broken, he is embracing the unknown, exploring new musical territories with an insatiable passion for his craft.