As usual,most good bands of the 70’s would be artists that started out in the 60’s. No different for Daryl Hall and John Oates. 1967 was the first time they would meet, both fleeing in the same freight elevator from a gang fight at a dance in Philadelphia’s Adelphi Ballroom where Hall had been leading his band, the Temptones, and Oates his own band ,the Masters. In 1969 Oates joins the group “Gulliver” and makes a trip to Europe, while Hall finds studio work in Philadelphia singing background vocals for the Stylistics,the Delphonics,the Intruders and others.After the early 70’s and moving on into the year of 1977,the song “Rich Girl”( written about a friend of Sarah Allen’s whose father is a fast food king) is their third single and becomes their first #1 hit. The notorious serial killer David Berkowitz, known as the “Son of Sam” will later claim the song as a motivation for his murders. By 1978 the duo spends much time playing live,including a tour sponsored by “Care-Free” chewing gum, of high schools which have sent in the most gum wrappers. Then in 1981 the song “Kiss on my list”, written by Hall and Sara Allen’s younger sister Janna, tops the U.S. charts for three weeks and is a million seller. January 1982 “I can’t go for that”,their third million seller in 4 releases, also spends a week at #1 on the U.S. R&B charts(extremely rare for a white act),only the fourth instance since 1965. In addition they are listed under “Black Music” in “World Book Encyclopedia”. In 1984 the Recording Industry Association of America confirms suggestions in Billboard Magazine and Newsweek that Hall and Oates are now the most successful duo in U.S. recording history, amassing a total of 19 U.S. gold and platinum awards. Find out more stories and interesting facts about Hall and Oates on the Little Red Rooster show on KWMC’S 1490 AM Classic Hits Station. Always remember that all known facts and stories of Artist of the Month are by Wendy Johnson and all Shows are produced By Javier Martinez Sr.
|
KWMC
|