In the midst of rock’s changing landscape in the ’80s, Phil Collins found himself stuck on which musical path to take next. He eventually swapped his prog-rock sound for something a little more soulful. He looked to his peers to help shape this era of his career. While he sourced many different influences, two major contributors were Hall & Oates. The soulful duo was primed to work with Collins, but the former Genesis member had second thoughts after seeing Hall & Oates live. Find out why below.
Videos by American Songwriter
Why Daryl Hall Disappointed Phil Collins On Stage
Collins’ first impression of Daryl Hall was that he was “arrogant.” While watching the duo live in London, Collins got the immediate feeling that he and Hall wouldn’t be good collaborators.
“Well, Daryl Hall and l have talked about–doing something–I went to see Hall And Oates at Hammersmith recently, and when I first saw him on stage, I didn’t like him, because he seemed very arrogant and very smarmy, for want of a better word,” Collins once said.
Easy, ready, willin’, overtime
Where does it stop?
Where do you dare me
To draw the line?
Yeah, I, I’ll do anything
That you want me to
Yeah, I’ll do almost anything
That you want me to
How Daryl Hall Proved Phil Collins Wrong
[RELATED: This 1969 Concept Album by Flaming Youth Was Phil Collins’ First Major Recording]
Despite his bad first impression, Hall proved Collins wrong when they met in person. His private persona was far less “arrogant” than his public one, according to the “In the Air Tonight” singer.
“I was pleased when I met him because he’s not like that at all,” Collins continued.
Despite his change of heart, Hall and Collins never ended up collaborating. It was a missed opportunity in our book. The combined styles of these two rockers would’ve been a supergroup for the ages.
(Photo by Mickey Bernal/Getty Images)
More Features
-
lake Shelton, presenter Video Director of the Year (Photo by Frank Mullen/WireImage) -
Photo by Robert Kern/Getty Images -
NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 1958: Pianist Bob Gaudio, drummer Tom Austin, tenor sax Larry Qualiano, singer Dianne Costello and guitarist Billy Dalton of the rock and roll band "The Royal Teens" pose for a portrait in September or October of 1958 at the Brooklyn Paramount in New York, New York. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Left to right: Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, of British heavy rock group Led Zeppelin, performing at Earl's Court, London, May 1975. The band were initially booked to play three nights at the venue, from 23rd to 25th May, but due to public demand, two more concerts were later added, for 17th and 18th May. Total ticket sales were 85,000. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
American country comedienne Minnie Pearl (1912 – 1996) performing, circa 1970. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK – JUNE 11: Rock and roll band Steppenwolf (L-R Jerry Edmonton, John Kay and Michael Monarch) perform at Steve Paul's The Scene nightclub on June 11, 1968 in New York, New York. (Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
British musicians Mick Jagger (left) and Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones performs on stage during the band's 'Steel Wheels' tour, late 1989. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
CIRCA 1977: (L-R) Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks and John McVie of the rock group 'Fleetwood Mac' pose for a portrait in circa 1977. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)