Record stores played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of countless musicians, and for Daryl Hall & John Oates, this was especially true. Their journey, filled with unexpected twists and turns, highlights the serendipitous nature of the music industry. Even before they achieved mainstream success with hits like “You Make My Dreams,” their story began in a humble record store, a testament to the enduring power of local music scenes.
John Oates vividly recalls the moment their high school band stumbled into a Philadelphia record shop called The Record Museum in 1967. Armed with a test pressing, they boldly approached the owner, hoping for a chance. “Hey, we made a record,” they announced, a mix of youthful bravado and genuine aspiration in their voices. To their surprise, the owner, without hesitation, listened to their demo on “crappy speakers” and declared, “Oh, this sounds great… step into my office.” This spontaneous encounter led to their first record contract, a formative experience that Oates wryly describes as a classic example of musicians learning the hard way about the music business. This early foray into the industry, though perhaps not financially lucrative, was instrumental in setting the stage for their future success, a dream taking its first steps towards reality.
Years later, long after establishing themselves as a global phenomenon with numerous chart-topping singles, including the ever-popular “You Make My Dreams,” another unexpected event thrust an early creation of theirs back into the spotlight. The music video for “She’s Gone,” a track predating their iconic 80s sound, resurfaced online and went viral decades after its initial obscurity.
Daryl Hall recounts the quirky circumstances surrounding the video’s creation. In their early days, Philadelphia’s local TV station offered them an opportunity to create a lip-synced performance of “She’s Gone.” John’s sister, a director at the station, was enlisted to helm the project. Embracing the low-budget, experimental nature of the endeavor, the band opted for bizarre and theatrical costumes. Hall donned a bathrobe, Oates sported a penguin suit, and their tour manager, Randy Hoffman, was humorously costumed as the devil. The resulting video, far from polished or conventional, was a product of pure creative whim.
The unconventional video initially startled the TV station executives. “It scared the people at the TV station so badly,” Hall admits, unsure if it would even air. Despite their reservations, the station ultimately broadcasted the video, after which it faded into obscurity, only to be rediscovered and embraced by the internet decades later. Hall expresses his amusement and delight at its unexpected resurgence, stating, “Nobody knew about it. But I’m happy to hear it’s gone viral. That’s the only video I really ever liked.” This viral moment served as a reminder of the enduring appeal of their music and their willingness to experiment, long before the world knew they would be singing tunes that would make dreams come true for generations of fans.
Their story, from signing a record deal in a local record store to witnessing a forgotten video become a viral sensation, encapsulates the unpredictable and often dreamlike journey of Daryl Hall & John Oates. Even before “You Make My Dreams” became an anthem of optimism and joy, their career was already being shaped by these extraordinary and improbable moments, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected paths lead to the sweetest successes.
