Daryl Hall accuses John Oates of ‘ultimate partnership betrayal’ in plan to sell stake in business

Daryl Hall has accused his long-time musical partner, John Oates, of a severe breach of their partnership by planning to sell his share of the Hall & Oates joint venture without obtaining Hall’s permission. The accusation is part of a court declaration supporting Hall’s lawsuit to halt the transaction. The joint venture comprises Hall & Oates trademarks, personal name and likeness rights, record royalty income, and various digital assets, including the duo’s website and social media assets.

In a court filing, Oates responded to Hall’s claims, expressing disappointment in Hall’s “inflammatory, outlandish, and inaccurate statements.” Oates argued that he had been working to enhance their business partnership and sought to address what he perceives as private matters.

A temporary restraining order, issued by a Nashville chancery court judge, is currently in place, preventing the sale of Oates’ share to Primary Wave IP Investment Management LLC while legal proceedings and arbitration continue. A court hearing is scheduled for further deliberation on the matter.

Hall, in his court declaration, characterized Oates’ actions as the “ultimate partnership betrayal,” alleging that Oates and co-trustees sought to sell assets without Hall’s approval. Oates countered by stating that Hall has long sought individual recognition, insisting on being known as “Daryl Hall and John Oates” rather than the more common “Hall & Oates.”

The lawsuit contends that Oates’ team entered into a letter of intent with Primary Wave Music for the sale, allegedly violating confidentiality provisions regarding the duo’s business agreement. Hall expressed his disapproval of Primary Wave’s business model and asserted that he was blindsided by Oates’ decision to sell his share.

The legal dispute unfolds against the backdrop of Hall and Oates’ extensive musical partnership, which began when they were Temple University students in 1972. The duo has achieved significant success, including six platinum albums, multiple Top 10 singles, and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. The lawsuit reflects the complexities of their longstanding collaboration and the challenges arising from potential business divergences between the iconic musical pair.