Wednesday, September 24, 2003
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Wednesday, September 24, 2003 |
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Hall and Oates close out summer concert series By MICHAEL
BOYLAN The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater has had a rockin' good concert series this year, offering a mix of entertainers from a number of different eras. While past years have focused more on the music of the 1960s, this year's lineup has had a wealth of rockers from the late 1970s and early 1980s, such as Eddie Money, The Doobie Brothers, Pat Benatar and Peter Frampton among others. The season will end this weekend with one of the most popular acts from the early 1980s, the most successful recording duo in recording history, Hall and Oates. Daryl Hall and John Oates met at Temple University in 1967. They were both members of other bands at the time but found they shared similar musical tastes. Hall went on to join a band called Gulliver and a few years later Oates followed. The band's career was short-lived but by 1972 Hall and Oates were performing together and building a solid fan base in Philadelphia. The duo recorded three albums for Atlantic but left for RCA in 1975, where they found their first taste of success. They released the song "Sara Smile" on their debut album for RCA entitled "Daryl Hall and John Oates." The song went to number four on the charts and was their first million-seller. There would be many more to come. "Bigger Than the Both of Us" came out in 1976 and went platinum. Hall and Oates got their first number one hit the following year with the song "Rich Girl." In 1978, their touring included stops at high schools that had sent in the most Care Free gum wrappers. There was no doubt of their growing popularity, but it would still grow much bigger. In 1980, they released "Voices" which featured the song, "Every Time You Go Away." The song was not a big hit for them but five years later it would find its way to number one when Paul Young recorded it. Hall and Oates then entered the most successful period of their careers. From 1981-1985, they produced five number-one hits: "Kiss On My List," "Private Eyes," "I Can't Go For That," "Maneater" and "Out of Touch," in addition to other huge hits such as "One on One," "Family Man," and "Say It Isn't So." Up to this point in their history together, Hall and Oates had received 19 gold and platinum awards and were named Favorite Band, Duo or Group for three straight years at the American Music Awards from 1983-1985. Before taking a sabbatical from 1986-1988 and working on solo projects, they participated in "We Are the World," "Sun City," and "Farm-Aid" all projects that involved musicians trying to make a difference and raise awareness to problems existing around the world. In 1988, Hall and Oates signed with Arista Records and released "Ooh Yeah." This was also the year that they joined The Grateful Dead on stage during a stint at Madison Square Garden. Though Hall and Oates would never get back to the dizzying success of the early 1980s, they still made great music both together and as solo artists. Hall recorded the albums "Soul Alone" in 1993 and "Can't Stop Dreaming" in 1996, while Oates released his solo album "Phunk Shui" in 2002. They have released a new album this year, "Do It For Love," and have continued to tour around the world. Earlier this summer they toured with Kenny Loggins and in the weeks leading up to this weekend's show at "The Fred" have performed as far north as Wisconsin and as far south as Louisiana. Francisco Vidal, a Fayette County High School graduate, and his band will open the show, which is sold out. However, occasionally the band or press do not use all of their tickets and they will go on sale the night of each concert at 6 p.m. Tickets will be $45 each. The Francisco Vidal Band has played all over the country and Europe. They have built a solid fan base in the Atlanta area and are no strangers to opening up for huge artists. Among the bands they have opened up for are Barenaked Ladies and America. There will be no standing room tickets sold for this show.
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