Is Darryl Hall swell-headed?
Elizabeth Mazzaferro
Daryl Hall once made a statement, years ago, where he proclaimed he was the
"greatest pop singer in the world." He's wonderful, yes, but I thought that
was a bit overblown. Do you think he is still of the same opinion, what
with all the great new singers that have emerged since?
What'cha think?
magi...@prodigy.net
patric...@my-dejanews.com
Hi Elizabeth,
I remember the statement well - taken from the infamous January 17'th, 1985
Rolling Stone cover story "The Secret Life of Hall and Oates". Daryl said "I
think I'm about the best singer around and its time for everyone to start
saying that." He was also quoted as saying that he thought he and John Oates
were the Beatles of the 80's. If you look at their track record from that
decade, one could still to this day make a good argument in favor of that bold
claim.
However, from what I understand Daryl and John have long had ill feelings
toward RS for that story. Other fans that have asked them about it say they
claim the interviewer completely took them out of context. Many times they
were being sarcastic during the course of the interview, kidding around with
her and she wrote it up as if every comment was dead serious. She even went
so far as to say it looked as if Daryl and John weren't even friends anymore!
There's "responsible" jouralisim for ya, huh? No wonder so many great acts
split up. I'd bet more acts crack under the pressure from the entertainment
press being told "they arent friends anymore" and "SO-AND-SO" really owes it
to himself to step away and try a solo career" then personal problems that
actually exist within a group.
I'll be the first to admit that Daryl seemed to let his ego grow unchecked a
few times in the 80's. That old country song comes to mind - "Oh lord its
hard to be humble when your doing the best that you can." If only people
watching from the sidelines could begin to comprehend the pressures someone
in his position underwent day after day, living under the expectations that
your next album will outsell your last, the whirlwind of concerts,
interviews, more concerts, more interviews... Hey, when I'm in a grouchy
mood I often blurt out something that I later regret having said - I'm a
Libra and F.Y.I. so is Daryl! ;o)
These days he seems to be much more subdued and relaxed. Also seemes much
more guarded about comments he makes, lest someone get the wrong impression
AGAIN!
Interestingly enough, his voice is much stronger then it was in the 80's
I.M.H.O. He recently quit smoking, and it shows in his concert performance.
As for your comment about him being of the same opinion, I don't know. Who
knows what he REALLY ment in the interview - could have been serious, could
have been pulling the interviewers leg, COULD have been he never even MADE
the statement in the first place - who knows? As I've said he's much more
laid back now. Love or hate Hall and Oates, no one can deny that Daryl Hall
is a great singer. Being a biased fan, I'll go so far as to say one of the
ALL-TIME greatest. And regardless of what was or was not said in the past,
I'd suspect deep down inside he knows it. Then again, he DID have a distinct
advantage over the rest of us. His mom was a vocal teacher, so he got free
lessons at an early age!
And your right - lots of great singers have come about since then. But I'll
be bold myself and say that Daryl Hall, who is about to turn 53 I believe
(not a typo, fifty three!), could still sing circles around >>>ANY<<< of the
"great" new singers. Unless you've heard Daryl Hall "let it out" in concert
(his studio recordings do him no justice), then you are really missing out on
watching a master at work! Most of their live concert videos, while showing
him in much more free form still do not show him at his peak - seems he tends
to hold back a bit when cameras are rolling. You owe it to yourself if you
haven't to catch a regular show on tour and hear for yourself that he's still
"the best singer around"! :o)
Thanks for your posting!
Patrick Burns
Webmaster of X-STATIC!!! The Daryl Hall and John Oates Archives
http://www.excite-lite.com/x-static
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Susan Picciano
and John in 1948 (50 now). I thought I read this in Dangerous Dances.
Danny Wall
> I thought Daryl Hall was born in 1947, which would make him 51 this year,
> and John in 1948 (50 now). I thought I read this in Dangerous Dances.
I would only do interviews that video taped so that people could see that I was joking around.
It's actually funny when you know they were joking.