Daryl Hall & John Oates Bring Rock & Soul To The Van Wezel

Written by Sande Caplin on December 4, 2015. Posted in Music.

The biggest selling duo in history, Daryl Hall & John Oates, came to SRQ on Wednesday night for their first show at Van Wezel since 2002! It was a sold out show, but these days it usually is for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. They played all the hits and a little holiday ditty with “Jingle Bell Rock”! Making music together since the early 70’s, H&O are the Philly boys who made it in the Big 80’s with megahits and MTV. “We Are the World”, “Sun City”, “Live Aid” “A Night at the Apollo” with their idols the Temptations which brought them to the pinnacle of success.

They took a break to regroup personally and professionally with Daryl on the east coast of upstate New York and John moving to Colorado. Daryl working solo and producing some great music, “3 Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine” & “Soul Alone”. John was working in Colorado with various musicians and recording such solo albums as “Phunk Shui’ and “1000 Miles of Life”. Some people think Daryl and John split up, but they never did. They have always toured and in the late 90’s the “Marigold Sky” album brought them back to the national scene and they haven’t stopped. Cranking out music into the new millennium with “Do It for Love” and “Our Kind of Soul”. They have always worked separately as well as together which is why they have lasted as a duo when others haven’t. They were college roommates and friends before show business took them on this incredible ride of over 40 years.

They have one of the best bands around! From the 70’s till today, some of the great sidemen have played in the Hall & Oates band, just to name a few, the late T-Bone Wolk, guitar great G.E. Smith and the late Bobby Mayo. The current lineup has Eliot Lewis on keyboards, who was lead singer and played guitar for the Average White Band from 1989-2002. Eliot has a new CD out called “Evolution” Bass man Klyde Jones played with AWB as well as playing with Daryl solo. Klyde has a CD out “Waltz of the Wild Rose”. Drummer Brian Dunne is also an Average White alum and highly sought after New York area drummer. Percussionist Porter Carroll, Jr., was an original member of 1970’s Atlantic Star, songwriter and back round vocalist for many artists. Newest member guitarist Shane Theriot joins an illustrious line of great guitarists in this band. Hailing from New Orleans, Shane has worked with Beyonce, Dr. John and Harry Connick, Jr. The longest running member of the band is Orlando’s Charlie “Mr. Casual” DeChant who plays saxophone. Since 1976, Charlie’s saxophone has played some of music’s most iconic notes on “Maneater” and “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)”.

Daryl and John continue to evolve. Daryl’s TV show “Live from Daryl’s House” on Palladia cable channel is starting a new season soon. His new club is an hour outside of New York City, “Daryl’s House Club” books national musical acts several nights a week and Daryl is playing solo for a New Year’s Eve bash!

John Oates is now living part time in Nashville and working with artists such as Bonnie Bramlett and Vince Gill. His “Another Good Road” is available on DVD and CD. They will continue to play shows together. They are playing Madison Square Garden in February! But they will take a break before the next road trip. That is the secret to the success of Daryl Hall & John Oates!