John Oates breaks the silence after Daryl Hall’s trial

John Oates has ended his silence following a lawsuit filed against him by his longtime associate, Daryl Hall.

The 75-year-old musician shared a Thanksgiving message on his social media channels on Thursday, advocating for a “more compassionate and supportive world.”

In his message, Oates urged collective reflection and connection during the holidays, emphasizing the importance of supporting people facing challenges around the world. He encouraged helping those in need, either through local charities or international humanitarian initiatives, in the hope of contributing to a more compassionate world.

Details of the lawsuit remain a mystery because the court documents are sealed. Hall filed a complaint on Nov. 16 against Oates and the co-trustees of the John W. Oates TISA Trust, including Oates’ wife, Aimee Oates, along with a motion for a temporary restraining order. The court approved the temporary restraining order, which would take effect on November 30.

ET confirmed the existence of the lawsuit in Nashville Chancery Court. During a performance at the Club Random with Bill Maher podcastHall made it clear that he does not consider Oates his creative partner, but rather his business partner. He further noted that they “have always been very separate.”

Hall downplayed the collaborative aspect of their musical journey, citing examples like the 1980 No. 1 hit “Kiss on My List” as evidence of their apparent creative separation.

Although Oates is not credited as a songwriter on the track, he is credited as a co-producer alongside Hall. The duo, known as Hall & Oates, formed in 1967 and have since released 18 studio albums, finding success with six No. 1 singles, including “Maneater,” “Rich Girl” and “Out of Touch.”

The legal development comes more than fifty years after Hall & Oates made their debut in 1972 with ‘Whole Oats’.

Although both artists pursued solo recording careers and separate tours, the duo never officially disbanded. Their most recent studio album, ‘Home for Christmas’, was released in 2006.