Darryl Hall Biography

Musician. Born October 11, 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raised in Philly, Hall attended Temple University, where he began playing music with fellow classmate John Oates in the late 1960s. After Oates transferred schools, Hall played with other college bands until 1972, when Oates returned and they formed the folk-rock band Hall & Oates.

After hiring manager Tommy Mottola, Hall & Oates signed with Atlantic, where they released their debut album in 1972, Whole Oates, followed by 1974’s War Babies. In 1976, the duo moved to New York, where they signed with RCA and produced such popular singles as "Sara Smile" and "Rich Girl.” With these hits and the follow-up album Bigger Than the Both of Us, the band’s sound evolved to pop-rock, and Hall & Oates was more successful than ever.

After heading back to the studio for a few years, Hall & Oates reemerged with a heavier rock sound in 1980’s Voices. They continued to release chart-toppers throughout the early ‘80s, including Private Eyes, H20 and Big Bam Boom. Before disbanding in 1985 to pursue solo careers, Hall & Oates received the American Music Award for favorite pop group.

Hall & Oates reunited in 1988, and though they have produced a few albums, they’ve kept a relatively low profile compared to the enormous stardom of the previous two decades.

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