In a recent print interview with Classic Pop Magazine, Daryl Hall (formerly of pop-rock duo Hall & Oates) opened up about his role in blazing trails for modern-day artists. In the interview, the 78-year-old singer talked about being a “pioneer” during the 1970s and 1980s, specifically when it came to breaking down racial barriers in the music industry.

“I was one of those pioneers in breaking down those barriers between Black music and white music, whatever that means,” said Hall. “My earliest success was on Black radio in America. I had to break into the white pop world in America. That was secondary, after the fact. So that’s where my roots are. That’s where my initial success started.”

Hall went on to note that he believes that success “had a lot to do with me as a singer and my background.” He went on to say that he was from Philadelphia in a notably “colorblind” area. That, according to Hall, gave him the foundation to “break those barriers down.”

Sadly, it looks like Daryl Hall was in a bit of a rough patch for a while. Now performing as a soloist, Hall was stuck in a legal battle with his former musical partner, John Oates, in 2023. Hall sued Oates to prevent him from selling the duo’s publishing rights to Primary Wave Music. Oates allegedly attempted the deal without even consulting Hall on the matter. 

Both Hall and Oates have publicly said that the pair will never perform together again, per an interview with Rolling Stone in 2024. Now, Hall claims that he feels a bit freer as a solo musician.

“I really was restricted,” said Hall. “When I was with John [Oates] on stage, we had this rule that we couldn’t play any other work than what we did under the Hall and Oates name. And it was very restrictive to me, because I love all those solo songs.”

Hall went on to say that he “wrote most” of those songs, and he was frustrated over having “no outlet” to perform them.

“So now, I’m completely liberated and it’s much more fun,” Hall said.

Hall released his most recent record, D, in 2024. Fans can likely expect new music from the singer after gaining his newfound creative freedom. Hall is currently on tour through the US until November of this year.

Photo by Brandon Nagy/Shutterstock

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