AboutTimothy D. Hufnagle Expertise I have an extensive background in the music of Daryl Hall and John Oates. I`ve been a devoted fan since 1984, and my collection specializes in the music of these two artists. My "expertise" would span all the way back to the late 1960s (when they did session work with other artists and were in other bands) up to the present day. My "expertise" also includes knowledge of their collaborative efforts with other artists, compilations, singles, and albums. Unfortunately, I can not help anyone who has questions about concert dates (past, present, or future), Hall & Oates souvenirs and memorabilia, radio shows, or bootleg recordings. I also will not answer any questions pertaining to Daryl and John`s personal lives. I'm a firm believer that if you want information on someone`s personal life, go ask them yourself. :-)
Experience I have been a collector of popular music since I was about 4 years old. I was a professional mobile disc jockey for 4 years when I was in my 20s. I've met both Daryl and John on several occasions. I've interviewed numerous musicians, producers, and industry personnel who have worked with H&O. I am a webmaster for my ongoing research website: PhillyMoods.com
Organizations I currently belong to the "Hall & Oates All Access Club," and periodically contribute to the online HallAndOates.com Discussion Forum. I also used to be a long-time member of the following three Hall and Oates Fan Clubs (when the organizations were still in existence): "RSI (Rock and Soul International: The Official Daryl Hall and John Oates Fan Club)," "In Touch" (the UK Hall and Oates Fan Club), and "Link" (the Australian Hall & Oates Fan Club).
Publications For Hall and Oates: I made contributions to "RSI" newsletters, in "Link" newsletters, in *Lexicon* magazine, and in "Elephant Talk" online mailing list digests pertaining to Daryl Hall's work with Robert Fripp (of King Crimson fame). My research was mentioned on the air at KOST 103.5 (Los Angeles, CA) in October 2002. I worked on the 2006 Varese Sarabande CD compilation, "The Philadelphia Years" (I assembled the discography notes along with some other aspects).
Education/Credentials I have a B.A. in Integrative Arts from the Pennsylvania State University, and my degree focused on Popular Culture and Creative Writing. I also have a M.A. in Popular Culture from Bowling Green State University (OH). I taught popular culture courses while I was a grad student, and after being graduated, was hired as an instructor for the Dept. of Popular Culture. I also worked for the BGSU Music Library and Sound Recordings Archives (one of the largest public archives of popular sound recordings in the USA--second only to the Library of Congress), and for the Ray and Pat Browne Library for Popular Culture Studies.
Question I'm only 26 but grew listening to Hall & Oates and have recently got back into
them in a massive way.
Could you recommend other groups/artists who you consider are 'like' Hall &
Oates, or at least in a similar vein, please?
For me, they sound like nothing else, but I want more more more
Answer Hi Joseph,
Thanks for writing, and I'm pleased to share your love of Hall and Oates' music.
I agree, it is hard to find other groups "like" them...they are very unique, as Daryl and John experimented with their music over the years.
I'm not sure which songs/era you are really "into," but if you haven't already done so, my first recommendation would be that you explore their *entire* repertoire/catalog. Many fans have fun discovering (or rediscovering) albums that don't get a lot of attention, like "War Babies" (1974), "Bigger Than Both Of Us" (1976), "Beauty On A Backstreet" (1977), and most definitely "Along The Red Ledge" (1978). Those albums have more of a rock blend, and less of the 80s pop. But, their 80s roots are found there. If you are really devoted, you can give a listen to Daryl's first solo album, "Sacred Songs" (released in 1980, but recorded several years prior).
I'm also assuming that you are quite familiar with the album tracks (non-singles) from "Abandoned Luncheonette" (which is often considered one of their best albums), "Voices," "Private Eyes," and "H2O."
Almost all of the above are available on legal download sites (like iTunes, etc.). A lot of their early material is also relatively easy to find on CD and vinyl, if you do the searching.
If you've already gone down that path, and I'm beating a dead horse, and if you have a good sense of humor, you might want to check out "Yacht Rock" episodes on YouTube. The folks who put those sketches together are focusing on the very late 70s/early 80s style, but they lovingly (??) point out the similarities of groups like H&O, Loggins and Messina, the Doobie Brothers, and Christopher Cross. But H&O didn't really share much with the softer sounds of those groups.
Finally, many fans find the vocals of H&O to be similar to that of Ambrosia, Player, and Chilliwack. But again, the similarities are limited, as their voices are really what is similar, not so much their style.
In terms of more modern-day groups, I know that Maroon 5 has a strong pop-hook style that H&O utilized.
Daryl Hall has always said that their music never really fit well into a category. As time goes on, it's easy to agree with him.
Hope that helps!
Tim
P.S. If my answer was helpful, please feel free to leave feedback for me. Thanks!
