Daryl Franklin Hohl—known professionally as Daryl Hall—was born on October 11, 1946, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Raised in a musically inclined household, Hall’s early exposure to harmony and vocal technique came from his father’s choral background and his mother’s work as a vocal coach.

Early Career and Formation of Hall & Oates

Hall began recording music while still in high school and continued through college at Temple University, where he majored in music. In 1967, he met fellow student John Oates during a chance encounter at a dance. That meeting would eventually lead to the formation of Hall & Oates, one of the most successful musical duos in history.

Signed to Atlantic Records in the early 1970s, Hall & Oates released their debut album Whole Oats in 1972. Their breakthrough came with Abandoned Luncheonette (1973), featuring the hit “She’s Gone.” Over the next decade, the duo produced a string of chart-topping singles including “Rich Girl,” “Private Eyes,” “Maneater,” and “Kiss on My List,” blending rock, soul, and pop into a signature sound.

Solo Work and Collaborations

Outside of Hall & Oates, Daryl Hall pursued solo projects that showcased his versatility. His 1980 album Sacred Songs, a collaboration with progressive rock guitarist Robert Fripp, marked a stylistic departure. In 1986, Three Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine featured the hit “Dreamtime,” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Hall also contributed to other artists’ work, including Dusty Springfield and Diana Ross, and participated in major events like Live Aid and Farm Aid.

Live from Daryl’s House

In 2007, Hall launched Live from Daryl’s House, a web-based music series where he performs with a wide range of artists. The show has been praised for its informal, collaborative spirit and continues to attract viewers across platforms.

Recognition and Legacy

Hall was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as part of Hall & Oates. With over 40 million records sold, the duo remains one of the best-selling acts of all time.

Today, on his birthday, Daryl Hall stands as a figure whose career spans genres, decades, and platforms, an enduring voice in American music.