Hall & Oates

USA, 1970–now

American duo of Daryl Hall and John Oates, the best-selling duo in US chart history, combining Philadelphia soul with pop songwriting on 'Sara Smile', 'Rich Girl' and 'Maneater'.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Hall & Oates and 0 artists Hall & Oates influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Hall & Oates?

• The Temptations — Daryl Hall befriended the Temptations coming up in Philadelphia and called them 'an outrageous influence' — David Ruffin's grit and Eddie Kendricks's falsetto are in his voice.
• The O'Jays — The O'Jays' Eddie Levert was among the Philly-soul voices Hall drew from — the local soul tradition Hall & Oates translated into pop.
• The Miracles — Smokey Robinson's Miracles were part of the soul lineage behind Hall's smooth, melodic phrasing.
• Smokey Robinson — Named within the Motown tradition Hall & Oates's blue-eyed soul drew on.