What’s your fave Hall & Oates song?
“She’s Gone.”
Setting aside your general soul
roots, am I nuts or
is there a serious and
specific Hall & Oates
vibe on the Chi-Lites’
“Oh Girl”?
There is a connection with the soul tradition of Chicago that is very close
to me personally. It has to do with the harmonies and chord changes. Plus, I
was a huge Curtis Mayfield fan!
What was the first record
you bought?
Probably “Wake Up, Little Suzie” by the Everly Brothers.
Did you have a rock
& roll epiphany as a
kid?
Yes, in 1954, when my folks took me to a local Pennsylvania amusement park and
I saw my first live show: Bill Haley and the Comets — especially when the bass
player threw down his giant upright bass and rode it like a horse.
What musician would you most
like to meet, and what
would you ask that person?
Elvis, and I’d ask him for a Cadillac.
What records are you currently
listening to?
None — I’m in the writing mode.
How do you feel about
the Bee-Gees? Were they
an influence?
We toured with them in the ’70s, and I think we were more of an influence on
them than they were on us. Their disco-era hits were produced by Arif Mardin,
who produced our first two albums.
Do you have a favorite
song of all time, by
anyone?
Hard question! How about “People Get Ready” by the Impressions.
Greatest advice for a novice
songwriter?
Listen to the people you admire and try to come up to their level.
Best mistake you ever made?
Never practicing the accordion when I was 5, because I got a guitar instead!
Hall & Oates play Sunday,
June 26, at the Greek
Theater.
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