Daryl Hall & John Oates still going strong

Daryl Hall and John Oates continue to make their dreams come true. The accolades, awards and accomplishments keep on coming for the best-selling pop-rock duo in history, with no end in sight, as the two continue to add to their historic legacy.

With their popularity once again growing among fans both young and old, the pair recently appeared on the finale of Fox’s hit show American Idol after the finalists performed a medley of Hall and Oates standards “I Can’t Go for That” and “Maneater,” followed by Daryl and John’s version of “You Make My Dreams,” the same song Joseph Gordon-Levitt sang in a memorable scene from the hit movie (500) Days of Summer.

Digital downloads increased a whopping 188% after the performance.

In the midst of an otherwise desultory summer touring season, Daryl and John continue to do turn-away business, with several sold-out shows in May and June. In addition, Daryl will appear with Canadian techno band Chromeo for a special midnight set at Bonnaroo that brings an episode of Hall’s award-winning Live From Daryl’s House web show, where the group first appeared, to the stage of the renowned Tennessee festival on June 11.

“You have to feel good about all these younger musicians who cite us as influences,” says Daryl. “This is just my way of returning the favor.”

The 31st and latest installment of the series will debut June 15 featuring matchbox twenty’s Rob Thomas at www.lfdh.com. The program won the prestigious Webby award for Best Variety Series, beating out more than 10,000 entries.

Music isn’t all that Daryl has been up to, either. A devoted restorer of historic homes, Daryl combined two 18th century structures into a single manor in Dutchess County, about 100 miles north of New York City, which was prominently featured in a recent Wall Street Journal article. Hall put the estate, dubbed Flint Hill, on the market for almost $12 million after working with antique dealers, historians and contractors to build the 24-room manor house with expansive views of the Catskills and Litchfield.

In addition, there will be an upcoming profile of Daryl in New York magazine later this month, as well as a newly edited Daryl Hall and John Oates Behind the Music on VH1 this fall.

As LL Cool J once put it: “Don’t call it a comeback,” because Daryl Hall and John Oates “have been here for years.” And, they’re as popular as ever.