He began to attract notice while singing with The Temptones, a
street-corner doo-wop group. As first prize for winning a talent contest, Hall was given
the chance to record a single in 1967 for Arctic Records, a small local label founded in
part by record shop owner Kenny Gamble. "Girl, I Love You" (featuring Hall
backed by Gamble's group, the Romeos) did well enough on Philly R&B stations to merit
the release of a follow-op, "Say These Words." This also led to Hall's
involvement as a session singer / keyboardist with Gamble and production partner Leon
Huff's roster of artists, including The Stylistics and The Delfonics.
During this
period, Hall first encountered John Oates (born April 7, 1949). Their resumes were
similar: a native New Yorker, John had moved to Philadelphia with his family and soon
became involved in the same R&B circles as Daryl. As a member of The Masters, he
released the single "I Need Your Love" on Crimson Records in 1966. From there
Oates' parallel interest in acoustic folk based sounds led |
him to join Valentine, a local country-rock combo that also included
Frank Stallone (Sly's brother).
Daryl and John
met on a night when The Temptones and The Masters were both competing in a "battle of
the bands" held at Philadelphia's Adelphi Ballroom. When a gang fight broke out at
the venue, the two of them ducked for cover into a freight elevator. A friendship grew out
of the experience, though it was several years before Hall and Oates began working
together.
The late '60s
found Hall involved in various projects, including an ill-fated group named Gulliver,
which also involved singer-songwriter Tim Moore and producer-to-be Tom Sellers. A studio
group only, Gulliver never made it past an unsuccessful Elektra album. Hall was also part
of something called The Electric Indian, known chiefly for "Keem-0-Sabe," a #16
instrumental hit in 1969. (Hall refers to this as ,"probably the worst record ever
made in history.") |
Daryl Hall and John Oates
German Website
