John Oates Reflects on Mortality and New Beginnings Following Ozzy Osbourne’s Passing

John Oates is at a turning point. The veteran rocker, best known as one half of the iconic pop duo Hall & Oates, has entered a period of reflection—spurred in part by the recent passing of fellow musicians, including the legendary Ozzy Osbourne. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Oates opened up about aging, mortality, and the creative urgency that now drives him.

“I can see the horizon’s a little closer now than it was when I was younger,” Oates said. “So many people are passing—some my age, some even younger—and it makes you think about what’s left to do, what still needs to be said.”

Rather than retreat, Oates has chosen to respond to these realizations with renewed purpose: by continuing to write, record, and perform music on his own terms.

Breaking Away from the Past

That urgency led to a major personal and professional decision: stepping away from his decades-long partnership with Daryl Hall. The duo, responsible for an extensive catalog of genre-defining hits, has been inactive in recent years, and Oates felt it was time to pursue something more personal.

“I needed to take this opportunity,” he explained. “I had to step away from Hall & Oates to fully express the creative emotions and ideas I’ve been carrying. I want to make a statement on my own.”

While the split marks the end of a defining era, Oates remains proud of what he and Hall achieved together. He likened their shared legacy to visiting a museum—timeless, beautiful, but ultimately, something you move through.

“That music will hopefully never go away,” he said. “But after a while in a museum, your feet hurt, and you’re ready to step outside and see what else is out there.”

A Return to His Roots

On August 29, Oates released his seventh solo album, Oates—a self-titled project that marks both a fresh start and a return to form. In an interview with NPR, he described the album as a revival of his foundational musical influences.

“This record taps back into a very important part of my musical DNA,” he said. “It leans into groove, R&B, and soul—a rhythm-section-driven sound. That’s a big shift from the acoustic, singer-songwriter material I’ve been doing for the past decade.”

The result is a more energetic, groove-heavy LP that showcases Oates in full control of his creative direction. It’s both a reflection of where he’s been and a declaration of where he’s going next.

As he steps into this new chapter, John Oates isn’t looking back with regret—he’s charging forward, guitar in hand, determined to make the most of every moment left on his horizon.