Art Garfunkel expresses a renewed sense of hope for the future of Simon & Garfunkel, reflecting on a poignant and emotional reunion with his longtime musical partner, Paul Simon. In a recent interview with The Times, Garfunkel, now 83, opened up about this heartfelt encounter that took place just a few weeks prior.
While promoting his upcoming album, *Father and Son*, a collaboration with his 33-year-old son, Art Garfunkel Jr., the celebrated musician—who has won eight Grammy Awards—revealed that it was the first time he and Simon had been together in many years. This significant reunion triggered a wave of nostalgia and introspection for Garfunkel. “I looked at Paul and said, ‘What happened? Why haven’t we seen each other?'” he recounted, recalling a moment that was filled with both joy and sorrow.
The underlying tensions from their past became evident as Garfunkel reflected on an old interview in which he might have unintentionally hurt Simon’s feelings. “Paul mentioned an old interview where I said some stuff,” he explained, indicating that the hurt stemming from their previous fallout had lingered for years.
Garfunkel shared his deep sense of regret over their feud, admitting, “I cried when he told me how much I had hurt him.” He further elaborated, “Looking back, I guess I wanted to shake up the nice guy image of Simon & Garfunkel. Y’know what? I was a fool!” This candid admission highlights the weight of their shared history and Garfunkel’s desire for reconciliation.
During their heartfelt conversation, the two music legends not only reconnected emotionally but also made plans to meet again. Garfunkel hinted at the possibility of revisiting their storied music legacy, though he emphasized that his main focus was on healing their relationship. “Will Paul bring his guitar? Who knows,” he mused. “For me, it was about wanting to make amends before it’s too late.”
As he reminisced about their meeting, Garfunkel was overcome with emotion, saying, “It felt like we were back in a wonderful place. As I think about it now, tears are rolling down my cheeks. I can still feel his hug.” This reunion marks a hopeful chapter for both artists, reigniting a bond that had been strained for too long.
Garfunkel and Simon, the iconic musical duo known for their harmonious sound and poignant lyrics, released a total of five celebrated studio albums between 1964 and 1970. Their journey together reached a pivotal moment with their final album, *Bridge over Troubled Water*, which was released in early 1970. This album marked the culmination of their collaborative efforts and, subsequently, their decision to part ways professionally.
Despite their split, both artists embarked on successful solo careers, carving out their own identities in the music industry. Over the years, they occasionally reunited, rekindling their musical chemistry. One of the most notable reunions occurred in 1981 during a benefit concert in Central Park, an event that drew an enormous crowd and was later immortalized in an album and a concert film, celebrating their shared legacy.
In the 2024 documentary *In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon*, Simon reflected on the circumstances surrounding their breakup, sharing insights into their relationship. He reminisced, “We were really best friends up until *Bridge over Troubled Water*,” revealing the deep bond they had fostered since their childhood. However, he acknowledged that after the release of the album, their relationship soured, stating, “[Afterwards], it didn’t have the harmony of the friendship… that was broken.”
Simon elaborated on the events that led to their discord, particularly focusing on Garfunkel’s decision to pursue acting. When Garfunkel was cast in the film *Catch-22*, Simon recalled how Garfunkel expected him to maintain their musical endeavors solo during his absence. “Artie said, ‘Yeah, the way it’s going to be is that I will do movies for six months, then I’ll come back, you’ll have written the songs, and we will do the album,’ and I thought, ‘Yeah? Actually, no. That’s not gonna happen. I am not gonna do that,'” Simon recounted, highlighting the pivotal disagreement that arose between them.
He poignantly noted that “the breakup that happened after *Catch-22* was never repaired.” Simon described their reunion at the Central Park concert as merely a temporary fix for their fractured partnership. “It was just a bandage put over it,” he explained. “But the bandage was such a luxurious bandage—the concert in Central Park—that we forgot that essentially, we were done as a team.” This sentiment encapsulates the bittersweet nature of their bond, recognizing both the joy of their reunion and the undercurrents of unresolved issues that lingered beneath the surface.
Garfunkel’s son recently shared insights with *The Times* regarding his father’s heartfelt reunion with musical partner Paul Simon. He noted, “They’ve experienced their fair share of ups and downs over the years, but after their recent meeting, Dad was absolutely beaming with joy. He called me and said, ‘Paul’s my brother; he’s family.’” This reflection highlights the deep bond that has endured despite their past disagreements.
When discussing the potential for a collaborative future as a musical duo, Garfunkel Jr. expressed optimism. “I genuinely believe there’s a chance they could come together musically again,” he stated. “I’m speaking hypothetically here, but perhaps a significant charity or television event could spur this collaboration. If they received a bit of encouragement from fellow musicians and industry peers, it could very well lead to the creation of new material, allowing a fresh generation to discover and appreciate the timeless beauty of the music they once made together.”
In the midst of this reunion and hopeful outlook, it’s worth noting that Garfunkel has recently released a new album titled *Father and Son*, further enriching his legacy and showcasing his artistic journey. The album is now available and promises to resonate with both longtime fans and new listeners alike.
