The duo is headed to court after Oates attempts to sell his portion of the duo’s catalog
Details have emerged in Daryl Hall’s lawsuit against former Hall & Oates business partner John Oates. On November 16th, Hall filed a “contract/debt” dispute against Oates in Nashville Chancery Court which included a motion for a temporary restraining order. The motion was granted the next day, but the case was sealed after Hall’s attorneys reasoned the dispute was private with confidential terms.
A judge has unsealed the case, revealing details about the duo’s business affairs. The Associated Press reports that Hall is attempting to block the sale of Oates’ shares of the Hall & Oates’ catalog to Primary Wave Music, a company that has owned “significant interest” in the duo’s catalog for more than 15 years.
In his petition, Hall claims he was “blindsided” by the sale and it would cause him “imminent irreparable harm,” according to People. Hall also claims the sale would violate the terms of the business agreement the duo signed as “the entire Unauthorized Transaction is the product of an indisputable breach of contract.” The suit claims that Oates’ team violated the music duo’s confidential business agreement by disclosing it to Primary Wave Music after entering a “letter of intent” with the music publishing investment firm.
Hall began an arbitration process on November 9th against Oates, who claimed at the time, that the sale to Primary Wave could “close within days.” Hall is seeking an order to prevent Oates’ trust — Whole Oates Enterprises, LLC — from selling his portion of the catalog without his consent. Oates’ wife Aimee and Richard Flynn serve as co-trustees in Oates’ trust and are also named as defendants in the suit.
Oates has released a legal declaration, obtained by TMZ, stating he’s disappointed by Hall’s claims.
“I am tremendously disappointed that Daryl Hall decided to file his declaration from our private arbitration in this proceeding and make inflammatory, outlandish, and inaccurate statements about me,” Oates says. “I am disappointed that he decided to publicize issues that are the subject of our private mediation and private arbitration.”
He continues, “Far from being ‘adversarial and aggressive instead of professional and courteous,’ as Daryl has claimed, over the last fifty years I have always devoted my energy to ensuring that both the public and the music industry perceive the Hall & Oates music and brand in the. most positive light.”
Oates says that while he and Hall have “not seen eye to eye” multiple times, he’s looking to preserve the duo’s legacy and their music.
“I am very aware of the importance and reverence that our fans and the world have for the music that Daryl and I have made together. That is why I have been working hard to protect the value of our intellectual property — to allow music lovers around the world to continue to enjoy the music of Hall & Oates. I have no idea who or what is motivating Daryl to take these steps and make such salacious statements, but I am deeply hurt.”
A private, confidential arbitration hearing is set for November 30th in Nashville to consider extending the restraining order.
The duo’s collection of No. 1 singles include “Rich Girl” (also No. 1 R&B charts), “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” (No. 1 R&B), “Maneater” and “Out of Touch.” Their Top 10 singles include “She’s Gone” (No. 1 R&B), “Sara Smile,” “One on One,” “You Make My Dreams,” “Say it Isn’t So,” “Everything Your Heart Desires,” “Family Man,” “Adult Education,” “Did It In A Minute” and “Method of Modern Love.” In 1987, the RIAA recognized Daryl Hall & John Oates as the No. 1 selling duo in music history, a record they hold to this day.
