Daryl Hall Takes Legal Action Against John Oates

In a surprising turn of events, Daryl Hall has taken legal action against his long-time music partner, John Oates, challenging Oates’ plan to sell his share of their joint venture, Whole Oats Enterprises LLP, to Primary Wave IP Investment Management LLC. Hall argues that the proposed sale violates the terms of their business agreement, leading to a Nashville chancery court judge issuing a temporary restraining order on Nov. 16. This order prevents the sale until an arbitrator, involved in a separate case, reviews the deal or until the judge’s order expires, typically within 15 days.

The lawsuit, filed largely under seal, reveals that Hall initiated an arbitration process on Nov. 9 against Oates and other defendants, including Oates’ wife, Aimee Oates, and Richard Flynn, co-trustees of Oates’ trust. The dispute centers around the sale of Whole Oats Enterprises to Primary Wave Music, with allegations of a confidentiality breach in disclosing the duo’s business agreement. The case is scheduled for a court hearing on Nov. 30, shedding light on the complexities of this legal battle within the music industry.