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Hall and Oates

While they were never critics' darlings, Daryl Hall and John Oates, still often to be found on the oldies circuit, are the most commercially successful duo of all time in rock history, according to the RIAA, after surpassing the Everly Brothers in 1984. They developed an accessible pop style that incorporated soul, new wave and hard rock in a catchy, engaging mix, and still enjoy respectable ticket and album sales to this day.

The two met inthe '60s while both were students at Temple University in Philadelphia, and performed together briefly, but it wasn't till 1969 that they regrouped -- and immediately caught the eye of insider Tommy Mottola, (who would later discover, marry and dump Mariah Carey), who soon had them signed to a record deal. They had a number of moderately successful releases in the '70s, but 1980's Voices marked the beginning of a series of top-selling albums, each spawning numerous hit singles, including "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" which surprised many by spending a week at the top of the R&B charts as well. By the late '80s their popularity had waned, and they never reached that pinnacle again, but they continue to sell records and please fans.

Written by: Mary Eisenhart

http://www.hallandoates.com/

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