Episode 6: Dine & Dish with John Oates

 

"All creative people need to make mistakes. If you can’t make creative mistakes, you’ll never progress…and, you’ll never find who you really can be. Creative mistakes are essential to the creative personality.”

(John Oates on Dine & Dish with Dawn)

 

A little while ago, I had the pleasure of hosting John Oates (yep, THAT John Oates of Hall & Oates) at the Whisper Lounge at The Grove in LA.

From being born “famous” by birthright as the first born grandson in an Italian Family to becoming a world-renowned rockstar and songwriter to watching Monty python with George Harrison at his house in Beverly Hills to being photographed by Andy Warhol to having the sports-betting southern gentleman, Hunter S. Thompson as a neighbor in Colorado, John’s life is filled with even more stories than his book, Change Of Seasons: A Memoir can hold.

We talked creativity, dating advice, his advice to songwriters, why 80s pop is still so beloved, engaging and in demand…and, his iconic mustache that became a signature of the 80s music scene.

Here was my takeaway:

There is no narcissism or over-self-awareness in this man which is almost unheard of for a rockstar with as many legendary experiences as he has had.

He seems to have no real regrets.

Like me, he doesn't necessarily believe in "mistakes."

He does believe in living in the moment.

And, he loves making music so much that he doesn't even listen to it "for leisure" because he's so passionate about all of the details that go into making it.

 

She’s Gone.

Sara Smile.

Maneater.

Rich Girl.

Out of Touch.

I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do).

Method of Modern Love.

Electric Blue.

Just thinking of all of the legendary songs that John Oates has been responsible for - either by writing, performing with Hall & Oates or both -  I realize how ingrained John’s music has been in not only my life - but in the lives of my entire generation.

 

When you listen to this episode, you'll hear John tease me on tape saying I'm flirting with him.