• April 7, 1948
• Sure, everyone knows Hall & Oates, the iconic rock and soul duo. But John Oates is more than just Daryl Hall's partner in crime. This guitar-slinging vocalist is a key ingredient in the Hall & Oates sound. He co-wrote many of their biggest hits, like "She's Gone," "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)," "Maneater" and "Out of Touch."
• Things got rocky in November 2023. Hall hit Oates with a lawsuit and a restraining order, accusing him of "the ultimate partnership betrayal" for wanting to sell his songwriting rights. Oates fired back, calling Hall's claims "inflammatory" and "inaccurate."
• Before Hall & Oates, John Oates recorded a single, "I Need Your Love," in 1966 with The Masters for Philadelphia-based Crimson Records.
• Oates released his first solo album, Phunk Shui, in 2002. The album title is a play on the words "funk" and "feng shui." So why did it take him so long to make a solo record?
  
  "I just never really had a collection of songs or a direction that I felt was important enough for me to make that kind of statement," Oates told Songfacts. "I didn't want to make a solo album just to say I made one. It really wasn't until early 2000 that I started to assemble some songs, and I thought it was a good time."
• He is passionate about photography and has exhibited his work.
• Oates has a wrestling background and was a champion in high school.
• In 2017, John Oates released his memoir, Change of Seasons.

Comments

More Songfacts:

Passionate KissesLucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams wrote and recorded "Passionate Kisses" four years before it was a hit for Mary Chapin Carpenter.

KokomoThe Beach Boys

"Kokomo" gave The Beach Boys their first #1 hit in 22 years. They picked the title because it sounded tropical.

Only The Good Die YoungBilly Joel

"Virginia" in "Only The Good Die Young" is named after a real girl Billy Joel was trying to impress.

You're BeautifulJames Blunt

The James Blunt song "You're Beautiful" is not romantic: it's a about a creepy subway encounter with an ex.

All I Wanna DoSheryl Crow

"All I Wanna Do" by Sheryl Crow started with the first line from an obscure poem called "Fun" that read, "All I wanna do is have some fun."

Handle With CareThe Traveling Wilburys

"Handle With Care" started as a George Harrison song with guest appearances by Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, but it went so well the five of them decided to form a group - The Traveling Wilburys - and record an entire album.

Editor's Picks

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."