Hall & Oates with Train in Concert at PPG Paints Arena; Ricky Skaggs Plays TRAF Bluegrass Day (Sat., 6/9/18)

1) Hall & Oates—the blue-eyed soul group that rose out of Philly in the 1970s—are bringing their stellar harmonies and back catalog to PPG Paints Arena. Billboard magazine named the group, composed of Daryl Hall (lead vocals, piano, multi-instrumentalist) and John Oates (vocals, lead guitar), as the most successful duo of the rock era. Six No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100—”Rich Girl,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes,” “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” “Maneater,” and “Out of Touch”—figured heavy into that accolade. Oates and Hall met while they were both students at Temple University. Although in separate bands at the time, they joined together. They achieved platinum sales status with their second album, Abandoned Luncheonette, which contained “She’s Gone.” 1975’s Daryl Hall & John Oates generated the major hit “Sara Smile” and “Camellia.”

Hall and Oates rode the turbulent, changing musical tides of the late ’70s and early ’80s with a string of hits. As new wave took hold, they incorporated some of those sounds into their songs while still maintaining their soul underpinnings. They remain a very popular act and are always a big draw in the ’Burgh. Many people may know of Daryl Hall from his TV show, “Live from Daryl’s House.” Oates played Club Cafe several months ago with his Good Road Band. Also on the bill for the concert is San Francisco pop-rockers Train. “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me),” “Hey, Soul Sister,” and “Meet Virginia” are several of the band’s top songs. Train and Hall & Oates together recorded a new tune, “Philly Forget Me Not.” Special guest is Kandace Springs. 7 p.m. 1001 Fifth Ave., Uptown. 

Daryl Hall and John Oates in 2008. photo: Gary Harris and Wikipedia.

2) Would it be correct to call Ricky Skaggs country-music “royalty”? Well, he didn’t marry Meghan Markle, and he doesn’t wear a crown like the Burger King, but he sure has been at the top of his field for a while. Skaggs has won just about every award that a country musician can. His countless collaborators have included musicians in other genres, from jam-rockers Phish to Irish folk balladeers. His repertoire ranges from breakin’-the-speed-limit bluegrass to mainstream country tunes like “Heartbroke.” Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder play the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. 7:30 p.m. Dollar Bank Main Stage, Point State Park, Downtown. (MV)

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