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Change of Seasons: A Memoir Hardcover – Deckle Edge, March 28, 2017
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Includes an exclusive EP as a companion to the book!
John Oates was born at the perfect time, paralleling the birth of rock ‘n roll. Raised in a small Pennsylvania town, he was exposed to folk, blues, soul, and R&B. Meeting and teaming up with Daryl Hall in the late 1960s, they developed a style of music that was uniquely their own but never abandoned their roots. John uncovers the grit and struggle it took to secure a recording contract with the legendary Atlantic Records and chronicles the artistic twists and turns that resulted in a DJ discovering an obscure album track that would become their first hit record. This is not your typical rock and roll story. John was focused creating great music. Along the way he achieved incredible success, battling the ever-changing pop music landscape and coming to terms with complex managerial, business, and personal challenges.
Daryl Hall and John Oates have over 20 albums together, more than 60 million records sold, and 29 Top 40 hits. They are the most successful pop duo in the world and members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And yet John’s story has never been told. Relying on his many hand-written journals, he brings to light many fascinating stories spanning his entire life with a journalist’s eye and a poet’s heart.
In Change of Seasons, John shares his highs, lows, triumphs, and failures. He takes the reader on a wild ride through all the eras, personalities and music that has shaped him into what he is.
- Print length400 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSt. Martin's Press
- Publication dateMarch 28, 2017
- Dimensions6.57 x 1.35 x 9.54 inches
- ISBN-10125008265X
- ISBN-13978-1250082657
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Editorial Reviews
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"His story stands on its own, and it’s one that Oates delights in telling. . . . A charming, almost breezy retrospective. . . . Change Of Seasons is Oates’ moment in the spotlight, which he handles with aplomb." ―AV Club
"Change of Seasons is not the Hall and Oates story; it’s the John Oates story (he’s kept diaries for decades), and one is struck not only by how talented he was but how hard he worked at it. It took lots of effort to look that smooth to the tune of 80 million copies." ―Austin American-Statesman
"[A] fascinating memoir. . . . Highly recommended for fans of Hall & Oates and those interested in how much work it takes to be a hit act in the music business." ―Library Journal
"Oates offers a memoir that might lead even his greatest critics to revisit the ’80s icons. . . . Charm and curiosity distinguish him from the standard-issue pop star....Plenty of entertaining anecdotes on such topics as having Hunter S. Thompson for a neighbor." ―Publishers Weekly
"An exceedingly entertaining, somewhat rueful chronicle of his life . . . . Andy Warhol, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, and Edgar Winter all make appearances." ―Booklist, starred review
"Oates has reason to boast, but his prose is workmanlike and modest; more than anything else, he comes off as a fan of many artists of the day, from the Beatles to the Temptations and the earliest manifestations of Elton John and David Bowie. There’s some Zelig-like right-place, right-time things happening here, too, such as a residence at LA’s famed Tropicana Motel: as he writes, nicely, 'can’t say I wasn’t blown away by the fabulousity of it all because I was.' There’s some sex and drugs along with the rock ’n’ roll, but Oates emerges, like Hall, as a pretty sensible guy who recognized when he was going off the rails; in the end, he emerges as a seeker not of pleasure but of wisdom . . . Oates’ musical admirers will find much to like here." ―Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
CHRIS EPTING is an author and award-winning journalist who has written for many publications including The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Loudwire. His books include Change of Seasons, Adrenalized, and Making Waves.
Product details
- Publisher : St. Martin's Press; First Edition (March 28, 2017)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 400 pages
- ISBN-10 : 125008265X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1250082657
- Item Weight : 1.4 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.57 x 1.35 x 9.54 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,031,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #20,334 in Arts & Literature Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
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About the authors

John Oates is one half of the best selling duo of all time, Hall & Oates, as well as an accomplished solo artist. Singing from the time he could talk and playing the guitar since the age of five, John Oates was destined to be a musician. Born in New York City, his family moved to a small town outside of Philadelphia, PA in the early 1950's, a move that would change the course of his life.
Soaking up the sounds of the 60’s, John was influenced by the Nascent folk scene, bluegrass, delta blues, and ragtime guitar styles while also immersing himself in R&B legends such as Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, The Temptations, Curtis Mayfield, as well as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. One of his biggest mentors was his guitar teacher Jerry Ricks, who had spent time on the road with Mississippi John Hurt and Son House introducing John to the music of Doc Watson and Reverend Gary Davis, passing down their signature finger and flat picking styles.
John Oates met Daryl Hall while attending Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. The two began collaborating and playing music together, marking the beginning of their historic partnership. Since the formation in the early 70's Hall & Oates have gone on to record 21 albums, which have sold over 80 million units making them the most successful duo in rock history. They have scored 10 number one records, over 20 Top 40 hits and have toured the world for decades. Their involvement in the original "Live Aid" concert and the groundbreaking "We Are The World" charity recording have further established them as legendary artists who have personally and through their music, stood the test of time.
In addition to their numerous American Music, MTV awards, and multiple Grammy nominations, in 2005 they were inducted into the American Songwriters Hall of Fame and in May of 2008 were presented the prestigious BMI Icon Award for their outstanding career achievement in songwriting. In April 2014 Hall & Oates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Since embarking on a long awaited solo career in 1999 John has recorded five solo albums including Phunk Shui, 1,000 Miles of Life, Mississippi Mile, a live album called The Bluesville Sessions, and most recently Good Road To Follow, which features collaborations with Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Vince Gill, Nathan Chapman, Jim Lauderdale, and more.
In January 2015 John released his latest project Another Good Road (Warner/Elektra), a DVD docu-concert that premiered on Palladia Music Channel. Recorded live in a Nashville studio in one session, the video features some of Music City’s finest musicians and singers as well as rare, seldom seen footage of John’s family ranch in Colorado, a glimpse into his world behind the music.
John is a diverse musician and songwriter active in Nashville community and beyond. Founded in 2010, he was the creator and executive producer for the “7908 the Aspen Songwriters Festival” at the historic Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, CO. In 2013, John teamed up with Jim James (My Morning Jacket) to curate the Bonnaroo Super Jam with special guests Britney Howard, Billy Idol, R. Kelly, Larry Graham and the Preservation Hall Jazz band. He is currently writing a memoir to be released via St. Martin’s Press in 2017.
When not touring with his solo show or with Daryl Hall, John, his wife Aimee and their son Tanner divide their time between Nashville, TN and their rescue ranch in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, along with dogs, emus, peacocks, llamas and alpacas.

Chris Epting is the author of 45 travel/history books, including James Dean Died Here (Santa Monica Press), Roadside Baseball (McGraw Hill), Hello It's Me, Dispatches From a Pop Culture Junkie (Santa Monica Press) and many others. He is also an award-winning travel writer and has contributed articles for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Westways and Travel + Leisure magazine, among other publications. In addition, Chris is a veteran music journalist and recently co-wrote Def Leppard's Phil Collen's memoir, "Adrenalized," and the John Oates Memoir "Change of Seasons." He also co-created and co-hosts the REELZ Channel docu-series "It Happened Here."
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For die-hard H&O fans like myself, the book ties together and fills in many of the stories we’ve heard over the years about the early days. Hearing it first hand from John reminds us why Hall and Oates don’t think of themselves as a duo…John’s part of the famous partnership has it’s own path, it’s own highs, lows, curves and reflections. We’re also reminded that while John may be perceived as the lighter side of the duo, his talent and depth as a musician is undeniable. The stories about his life before Daryl and his role in the creation of the vast Hall and Oates songbook remind us that John Oates is a born musician. Every word of the memoir (including those straight out of his journals) reflects a deep and constant devotion to music and that John is a deeply reflective person. It may be a key reason why the music has stood the test of time for so many of us. Here’s my list of favorite gems in the book:
• Favorite line – “I don’t care about fame, I’ve always been famous”
• Favorite backstory about a song – Diddy Doo Wop/Voices
• Favorite chapter – “Drive in” – what a trip!
• Favorite tribute – T-Bone…it’ll make you tear up
• Favorite Daryl story – There really are none, but the ode to brotherhood that is the book’s introduction speaks volumes about the one-of-a-kind partnership
• Favorite John and Daryl story – backstage after the show with the Temps…the look that led to the end of the 80’s run
• Favorite artifact – script from the original She’s Gone video
• Favorite thing to do while reading this book –I listened to the 2009 H&O box set “Do What You Want, Be What You Are” in a new way as I read the stories about how the music of each period was made and the backstories for many of the songs – what a treat!
Even if you are not a die hard fan, the book has a lot to offer music lovers in general. Oates (and collaborator Chris Epting) share a journey that is wonderfully convoluted and unexpected at times, far from the one dimensional 80s pop star image that may be a misguided lasting impression of Hall and Oates for some. The story provides a unique view into the depth behind the music, what it really took to get to the 80s and beyond, and how a path emerged that’s led to lasting success, renewed appreciation and lifelong devotion to craft. But more than that, we meet and understand that John Oates is authentic. You can’t help but want to know him. Not so much because he’s famous…but because he seems to have figured out how to pursue one’s dreams, kicking aside the stuff that doesn’t really matter (fame, fortune, superficial “success”) and focusing in on deeper meaning and purpose. That ability reveals a man whose humility and honesty about the common struggle that is life, is inspirational, especially for mid-lifers like me who ponder the meaning in our lives as we head closer to our final destination. And Oates is not done yet. This first memoir only takes us part way…and doesn’t even get to the latest reinvention of his life and music as a solo artist based in Nashville and the “Good Road to Follow” years. I can’t wait to read all about that and the evolving partnership of Hall and Oates in the next book. Thank you John Oates, Chris Epting and St Martin’s Press!
Reading this book made you feel like you were right there with John experiencing all the times he had...from the good to the bad too.
I loved reading the stories behind the songs. "She's Gone," is just one example of how personal the songs are to them. I realize now that really, all their songs are personal, and basically a biography of their lives. I loved the section of the book where John talks about meeting Aimee and raising their son....sweet story. It's all just a "feel good" book to me, and makes me want to attend even more concerts, if at all possible. I know that John and Daryl are separate individuals, and don't really always want to be known as a duo, but I do hope that sometime in the future, they will write songs together again. When I think of the events that brought these two together, the stuff John writes about in this book, and how it could just as easily not have ever happened that these two met, it is mind-boggling. It was all just meant to be. I would recommend this book to anyone...definitely to all fans. I know I'm typing so sporadically here, but suffice it to say, this is a good, good book, and I'm so ready to read the next book that John may have in store and hear about the Nashville years. I thank both John, and Chris for this book, and letting me get to know this musician even better. I am forever a fan...and I will always cherish the music in my life.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2020
Wunderbar witzig, herzerwärmend offen und ehrlich!






