Say it ain’t so.
Daryl Hall has accused his Hall & Oates music partner, John Oates, of ambushing him with plans to sell Oates’ half of their company, Whole Oats Enterprises, LLP, to Primary Wave, a prominent music publishing company.
“This recent bad faith conduct by John Oates and the Oates Trust has created tremendous upheaval, harm, and difficulty in my life,” Hall, 77, wrote in the new Nov. 29 filing, obtained by People. “Not to mention unnecessary expense and burden, during a time when I am in the middle of a tour throughout the U.S. West Coast, Japan, and Manilla and need to focus and perform at top level.”
“I believe that John Oates timed the Unauthorized Transaction to create the most harm to me,” the frontman continued. “Respectfully, he must be stopped from this latest wrongdoing and his malicious conduct reined in once and for all.”
In the documents, the “You Make My Dreams” singer states that Oates, 75, selling his share of the duo’s WOE joint venture would violate the terms of an October 2021 deal between the two men.
Hall later called the move “completely clandestine.”
“His behavior has become adversarial and aggressive instead of professional and courteous,” Hall wrote. “He began making numerous demands upon me related to, among other things, the social media and trademark assets in WOE, creating disagreements brought to my door by a revolving cast of lawyers.
“It appears to me that John Oates’ intent has become to burden and harass me without regard to my interests as his business partner, or the interests of WOE.”
Hours later, Oates filed his own statement in response, saying he was “tremendously disappointed” that Hall had chosen to make “inflammatory, outlandish, and inaccurate statements about me.”
“I have no idea who or what is motivating Daryl to take these steps and make such salacious statements, but I am deeply hurt,” Oates wrote, per Billboard.
The Post reached out to Hall’s and Oates’ attorneys for comment.
This is just the latest development in the musicians’ intense legal battle.
Hall initially filed his lawsuit against Oates in Nashville on Nov. 16. While the legal documents were sealed at the time, the documents were labeled as relating to a “contract/debt” suit.
Hall and his organization, the Daryl Hall Revocable Trust, is suing Oates’ trust, the John W. Oates TISA Trust, and its co-trustees.
The filing, which was unsealed by Chancellor Russell T. Perkins of the Davidson County Chancery Court, revealed that Primary Wave held a “significant interest” in the band’s catalog for over 15 years.
Oates’ only other public statement amid the feud came when he shared a cryptic statement on Thanksgiving.
“During this time of communal reflection and connection with loved ones, let’s not forget those experiencing challenges globally,” Oates wrote at the time. “As we come together, consider reaching out to support those in need — whether through local charities or international humanitarian initiatives. May our collective efforts contribute to a more compassionate and supportive world.”
The case will be heard during a Nov. 30 court hearing, the same day that Hall’s temporary restraining order against Oates goes into effect.
