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Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon in harmony again

From FBC News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Singer Art Garfunkel has revealed a reconciliation with former musical partner Paul Simon after years of tension.
  • The pair, both 84, met for a "lovely" dinner last year, which included "tears" and "hugs."
  • Garfunkel expressed pride in their shared musical legacy, which includes hits like "The Sound of Silence" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Art Garfunkel, 84, has shared that his long and often difficult relationship with former Simon & Garfunkel partner Paul Simon has reached a point of reconciliation. The singer described a dinner meeting last year as "very lovely," marked by "tears" and "hugs."

Garfunkel, currently on his "What a Wonderful World" tour, reflected on the enduring bond with Simon, also 84, in a recent interview. Their renewed connection comes amid heightened interest in their musical legacy, fueled by the 2024 documentary "In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon."

We had a dinner last year. It was very lovely. There were tears, there were hugs.

— Art GarfunkelGarfunkel describes a recent meeting with Paul Simon.

"I'm proud of it. I only feel great about it," Garfunkel stated regarding his musical history with Simon. Together, they achieved global success, selling over 100 million records and creating iconic songs such as "The Sound of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," "The Boxer," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The duo first met as schoolmates in Queens, New York, bonding over shared influences like James Dean and The Everly Brothers, whose vocal harmonies inspired their own sound.

I'm proud of it. I only feel great about it.

— Art GarfunkelGarfunkel reflects on his musical legacy with Simon.

Despite their success, Garfunkel admitted to sometimes feeling disadvantaged as Simon was the primary songwriter. He noted that accepting a role in Mike Nichols' 1970 film "Catch-22" inadvertently shifted the partnership's balance. Simon later reflected in the documentary that the film's extended schedule created an "uneven balance of power," which became "a recipe for the breakup."

Though Simon and Garfunkel officially disbanded in 1970, they reunited for significant events, including the 1981 Concert in Central Park, which drew over half a million attendees. Further tours followed, though a planned 2010 run was canceled due to Garfunkel's vocal cord issues. Reflecting on their friendship's current state, Garfunkel described it as cyclical: "It goes in and out. It's got a summer and a winter."

It goes in and out. It's got a summer and a winter.

— Art GarfunkelGarfunkel characterizes the current state of his friendship with Simon.
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Originally published by FBC News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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