Art Garfunkel has opened up about reconnecting with his longtime collaborator Paul Simon, his career high points, and his latest project, Father And Son, a collaborative album with his son, Art Garfunkel Jr.
Burying the Hatchet with Paul Simon
After years of estrangement, the legendary Simon & Garfunkel duo reunited thanks to a chance encounter involving Simon’s son, Harper.
- The Lunch That Healed:
Garfunkel described their emotional meeting:“Paul said, ‘I felt you wanted to hurt me. That’s what got me.’ I realized, I did hurt him… The next thing I knew, I burst into tears. And then there were hugs.” - The Fallout:
Their feud stemmed from Garfunkel’s 2015 Telegraph interview, where he called Simon a “jerk” and “idiot.” Garfunkel now regrets the outburst, saying it created years of unnecessary detachment. - Their Bond: Despite tensions, Garfunkel emphasized humor as the foundation of their friendship:“The basis of the Simon & Garfunkel relationship is laughter and jokes—even more than music.”
Father And Son: A Family Affair
The Father And Son album was spearheaded by Art Jr., inspired by the fleeting nature of time.
- A New Chapter: Featuring covers of classics like Cat Stevens’ Father And Son and Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time, the album is a blend of heartfelt harmonies and multigenerational artistry.
- Recording Magic: Art Jr. shared a serendipitous moment during the recording:“We learned Cyndi Lauper recorded Time After Time in the same studio, in the same spot we stood!”
- The Everly Brothers’ Influence: Their rendition of Let It Be Me pays homage to a group Garfunkel Sr. calls foundational for harmony singers.
Career High Points and What’s Next
- Central Park Glory: Garfunkel named the 1981 Simon & Garfunkel reunion concert in Central Park, with over half a million attendees, as the pinnacle of his career:“I knew we did something right in the 60s, but I didn’t know it was this right.”
- Future Projects: Garfunkel Sr. is considering re-releasing his 1986 solo album, The Animals’ Christmas.
With Father And Son, Art Garfunkel Sr. and Jr. bridge generations while celebrating timeless music and heartfelt connections.
Source: NME
