Highlights
- Simon & Garfunkel, the popular 1960s music duo, achieved great success with their poetic folk-inspired songs, becoming the voices of a generation.
- Despite their fame, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had a complicated personal relationship.
- Although they have reunited multiple times for concerts and performances, Simon and Garfunkel are currently not on speaking terms.
Simon & Garfunkel, the beloved 1960s music duo, were one of the most popular acts of their era. Comprised of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, the duo achieved monumental success with songs such as “The Sound of Silence”, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, “Mrs. Robinson”, and “The Boxer.”
With their folk-inspired, poetic songs, Simon & Garfunkel became the voices of a generation. Their work touched millions of lives and became a comfort during the Vietnam era. While they enjoyed fame and fortune together, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had a complicated personal relationship. They eventually got into a massive feud, which caused Simon & Garfunkel to break up in the early 1970s.
Why Do Paul Simon And Art Garfunkel Hate Each Other?
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met as children, and in their young adult years, created some of the most profound music of the 1960s. Growing up in the same area of New York City, Simon and Garfunkel shared a passion for early rock ‘n’ roll and doo-wop. In turn, they decided to perform music together and were, eventually, signed to a record label as teenagers. They took on the name, Tom & Jerry, according to American Songwriter.
How Paul Simon Really Lost His Hearing And If It Actually Ended His Touring Career Before He Wanted
Paul Simon’s invisible affliction cast a shadow on his ability to perform, turning his concerts into a test of endurance and adaptation.
Tom & Jerry recorded a Billboard charting hit, “Hey, Schoolgirl”, in 1957. After recording a few more singles with no success, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel pursued their college educations. By the early 1960s, they eventually reunited over a new love of folk music. They started to perform together again as Kane & Garr and introduced “The Sound of Silence” as part of their repertoire. After performing the song during an audition with Columbia Records, Simon and Garfunkel were signed to the U.S. nation-wide label, according to American Songwriter. In the process, they ultimately changed their duo name to their surnames. Their debut album with Columbia, “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.”, was released in October 1964.
Considering the impact they have had on the lives of their fans, it is sad that Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel had a troubled partnership that led to a long-lasting feud. According to Grunge, Simon and Garfunkel began to have challenges back in 1958. In Garfunkel’s memoirs, he shared how hurt he was when he found out that Simon signed a solo record contract without telling him. By the time they reached success as Simon & Garfunkel, they began to have disagreements over the publishing rights of songs.
Solo work was a key aspect of the feud that led to Simon & Garfunkel’s breakup. Paul Simon wanted to pursue a solo career, and this upset Garfunkel. Garfunkel accepted a role in the film, Carnal Knowledge, without seeking the blessing of his partner. When Simon found out the reasoning why Garfunkel did not tell him, he was even more upset. Simon spoke candidly about the incident on a podcast produced by CNN:
“Why didn’t you tell me? And he said, ‘I was afraid that you’d stop working on this [an upcoming record] if I told you.’ So that really pissed me off, and I just decided that’s the end of that.”
Garfunkel’s selfish motives were a last straw for an already tempted Simon, who wanted to put all of his energy into a solo career. Carnal Knowledge sealed the deal and Simon and Garfunkel broke up. Garfunkel struggled to understand why Simon was so determined to have a solo career, however, and called his former partner an “idiot”, according to Grunge. In Garfunkel’s view, the duo were at the height of their powers and Simon destroyed what they had built together.
Simon has not only had a complicated relationship with Garfunkel, but also with Star Wars legend and ex-wife, Carrie Fisher, and broadcaster, Howard Stern.
Have Simon And Garfunkel Reunited Since Their Breakup In The Early 1970s?
Despite having harsh feelings towards each other, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited multiple times after their duo’s initial breakup. In the early 1980s, they performed a concert together in New York City, according to Grunge. At the 2002 Grammy Awards, they reunited once again and performed their signature song, “The Sound of Silence.”
Did Paul Simon’s Tragic Medical Condition Damage His Ability To Increase His Net Worth?
Paul Simon’s decades-long music career was dealt a major blow when he suddenly lost hearing in his left ear.
In 2003, Simon and Garfunkel announced the “Old Friend: The 2003 Concert Tour”, which lasted from 2003 to 2004. They toured various cities across the U.S. together and performed their iconic hits to packed audiences. They additionally played shows in Japan and Australia in 2009, according to Concert Archives.
Another tour was planned in 2010, but was canceled due to Garfunkel’s health.
- They did perform together that year at a dinner celebrating Mike Nichols, however, according to Rolling Stone
- They additionally appeared at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2010
Paul Simon spoke about his relationship with Art Garfunkel in 2016 and articulated that he and Garfunkel “don’t even talk.” Furthermore, he shared that Garfunkel has no desire to reconnect. Art Garfunkel has spoken about his relationship with Paul Simon as well. In an interview, he said that he would not be interested in performing with Simon again.
Paul Simon’s Graceland Album Controversy Made Him An Absolute Fortune
Paul Simon was embroiled in a political controversy over his album Graceland that follows him to this day.
As of December 2023, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel have not performed together since 2010. Based on Simon’s comments in 2016, it is safe to assume that Simon and Garfunkel are still not on speaking terms. Despite a long-standing feud, Simon & Garfunkel have enjoyed a profound legacy in American culture and entertainment. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is one of the most covered songs in history, according to Newsweek. Even more impressive, Simon & Garfunkel have remained musically relevant and earn new fans every year.
Source: NewsFinale
