If you grew up in the ’80s and you’re a Gen Xer but you don’t know Hall & Oates, you must be living under a rock. The Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) recognized Daryl Hall and John Oates as the number-one selling duo in music history.
During the mid-70s to the mid-80s, the duo scored six #1 singles such as “Rich Girl“, “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes“, “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” (also #1 R&B), “Maneater” and “Out of Touch“.
In 2003, Daryl Hall and John Oates were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2014, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Daryl Hall and John Oates headlined BeachLife Ranch Fest last Friday, September 16 and I couldn’t be more stoked. I’ve seen them in the past but I’ve never been this close to the stage. Both septuagenarians, but boy, do they look like in their late 50s or early 60s. Some great genes they have. Hall rockin’ a black suit looked so dapper and Oates donning a casual black printed short-sleeves collared shirt worn over a solid color shirt and black jeans looked relaxed and stylish.
Growing up in the ’80s in the Philippines, Hall & Oates were so popular that a regular group of dancers would create a dance move with the songs such as Maneater, Out of Touch, and Private Eyes and promoted it on TV shows. I would mimic the dance moves, sing the songs and blast off my Big Bam Boom vinyl on our humongous stereo. When I went to the US as a tween every time their videos would come out even on Video One or even on MTV I would dance on my bed and just be focused on watching.
On Saturday, fans camped out early to see Hall & Oates. The audience was so diverse, that even a 13-year-old stood beside me eager to see the band. Hall and Oates reinvigorated the fans as soon as they entered the stage. A guy beside me who is in his 40s started to dance like a madman when the duo kicked off with their hit “Maneater”. “Out of Touch”, “Method of Modern Love” and “Say It Isn’t So” followed which brought the audience to their feet with singalong-ready renditions of prodigious early hits. While Daryl was talking about the genre of the song “Say it Isn’t So” which is rock and soul, a fan shouted “You are too much!” Another one yelled “I came all the way from …”
Hall & Oates proved their versatility showcasing their songwriting chops with slower ballads and incredible vocals. John sounded better than ever with his cover of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” and made an intimate connection with the fans. Daryl pulsated the keys to the piano and some of his biggest falsetto moments with “Sara Smile” and “I Can’t Go For That”.
On the encore, “Rich Girl”, “Kiss on My List”, “Private Eyes”, and “You Make My Dreams” kept the energy through the roof. Hall and Oates never lost a beat when it came to packing Gen Xers, Baby Boomers, millennials, and even younger crowds.
Outdoors on a starlit SoCal beach weather, familiarity and nostalgia washed over the crowd. Hall & Oates gave the fans a show they will always remember,
To check their tour dates go to https://hallandoates.com/
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