Art Garfunkel Breaks Down in Tears After What Paul Simon Did to Him | HO!!

Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon: two names forever etched into the American musical landscape. Together, as Simon & Garfunkel, they gave voice to a generation, crafting haunting harmonies and poetic lyrics that have outlasted the era that birthed them. But behind the timeless music, their relationship has been marked by decades of creative tension, personal ambition, and emotional turmoil.

Now, after years of estrangement, a recent reunion between the two legends has led to a moment of raw vulnerability—one that saw Garfunkel break down in tears as the pain of the past was finally confronted.

The Making and Unmaking of a Legendary Partnership

In the late 1950s, two boys from Queens, New York—Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel—bonded over a shared love of music and comedy. As “Tom & Jerry,” they released their first single, but it wasn’t until they embraced the folk revival of the 1960s that their careers truly took off. With hits like “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon & Garfunkel became one of the most beloved duos in American music history.

But as their fame grew, so did the cracks in their partnership. Paul Simon, the principal songwriter, often felt overshadowed by Garfunkel’s ethereal voice, while Garfunkel resented being seen as merely the vessel for Simon’s creations. These insecurities, coupled with creative differences, fueled an ongoing tug-of-war in the studio.

The tension reached its peak when Garfunkel decided to pursue acting roles, notably in Mike Nichols’ film “Catch-22,” at a time when Simon felt their musical collaboration should have been the priority.

Simon later admitted in his memoir, “I didn’t need Arty. I could still be the guy who wrote songs and sing them. I didn’t need Arty.” By the time “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was released in 1970, the duo was barely speaking, even as they accepted Grammy awards for their work. Their split felt inevitable, and they went their separate ways.

Over the years, the pair reunited for major events—most famously, the 1981 concert in Central Park—but these moments of harmony were fleeting. Old wounds reopened, especially as Garfunkel voiced his frustrations publicly. In a 2015 interview, he called Simon a “jerk” and an “idiot,” questioning how his friend could walk away from such immense success. These comments, while cathartic for Garfunkel, only widened the rift.

Despite everything, the connection between Simon and Garfunkel never fully disappeared. In his 2001 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speech, Simon expressed regret over their fractured friendship: “I hope that someday before we die, we will make peace with each other. No rush.”

The Reunion That Changed Everything

Fast forward to 2024, and fate intervened in an unexpected way. As Garfunkel recounted in a recent interview, the catalyst for the reunion came through Simon’s family. Paul’s ex-wife, Peggy Simon, had moved into the same building as Garfunkel, and their son Harper ran into Garfunkel in the hallway. Sensing the moment, Harper set up a lunch between the old friends—a meeting decades in the making.

When they finally met, the encounter was nothing short of emotional. Garfunkel recalled with disarming honesty, “I looked at Paul and said, ‘What happened? Why haven’t we seen each other?’ Paul mentioned an old interview where I said some stuff. I cried when he told me how much I had hurt him. Looking back, I guess I wanted to shake up the nice guy image of Simon & Garfunkel. You know what? I was a fool.”

The meeting forced Garfunkel to confront his own role in their fractured relationship, and the candor of Simon’s words hit him deeply. “Paul said to me, ‘Arty, it’s not that you spoke to the British press and that you didn’t do it well. I know you felt we were too conservative, but I felt you wanted to hurt me, and I thought, that’s true.’ The next thing I knew, I burst into tears.”

This moment of raw confession lifted years of unspoken bitterness off Garfunkel’s shoulders. “The admission of the truth is psychological,” he reflected. “You give it up and admit that you wanted to hurt somebody. You’re touched by your own confession. And then there were hugs. It was a wonderful moment for Simon and Garfunkel. It basically ended the years of detachment.”

For Garfunkel, the reunion wasn’t just about making amends—it was about reclaiming a friendship that had defined so much of his life. The emotional weight of that lunch stayed with him. “As I think about it now, tears are rolling down my cheeks. I can still feel his hug.”

Garfunkel’s son, Art Jr., described how transformative the meeting had been for his father: “They’ve had their ups and downs over the years, but after the meeting, Dad was so happy. He called me and said, ‘Paul’s my brother. He’s family.’”

Looking Back at a Lifetime of Music and Meaning

The reunion between Simon and Garfunkel was deeply personal, but it also highlighted the enduring impact of their music. Garfunkel, reflecting on their career, expressed awe at the lasting power of their songs. “The songs have lives of their own. What becomes popular, what does not resonate with an audience—you make the music and then you simply let go of it,” he mused.

For Garfunkel, the success of Simon & Garfunkel’s catalog remains a source of gratitude. “We’ve been blessed with extraordinary success,” he said. “Van Gogh today is recognized as a peerless master. In his lifetime, he never sold a single painting. ‘The Sound of Silence’ didn’t become popular until it was remixed and re-released. ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ has become a hymn of sorts. The songs play all over the world every day. At least that’s what our royalty checks tell us,” he added with a laugh.

Their music has transcended generations, speaking to listeners of all ages. Songs like “Homeward Bound” and “Mrs. Robinson” aren’t just nostalgic tunes—they’re woven into the fabric of American culture. Even today, their work continues to resonate, as evidenced by Simon’s recent performance of “Homeward Bound” alongside Sabrina Carpenter on the SNL 50th anniversary special.

Yet, the years have taken their toll. Garfunkel has struggled with vocal cord issues, leaving him unable to sing for over a year. “I have tremendous empathy for his loss,” Simon said. “I can very well imagine what it would feel like not to be able to sing or play.”

Healing the Past, Rewriting the Future

Though their musical legacy is secure, their personal reconciliation may be their most meaningful achievement. Garfunkel described the lunch with Simon as a turning point—not just for their relationship, but for his own sense of closure. “For me, it was about wanting to make amends before it’s too late.” Both men, now 83, understand the fragility of time.

Simon, who has retired from touring due to hearing loss, has spoken about hoping to regain his ability to perform full-length concerts, while Garfunkel continues to perform live, often with his son. The possibility of a musical reunion remains uncertain, but Garfunkel isn’t ruling it out. “Reunion? It’s a significant question. Paul and I will keep talking. We may give it a try and see where it leads. You never know. Paul is touring right now and I applaud him for being so generous and innovative. My partner is an amazing talent.”

Even Garfunkel’s son has suggested the pair could work together again: “I do think there is a possibility of them getting together musically, maybe a big TV or charity event.” With encouragement from their peers in the music industry, this could lead to new material. Whether or not this comes to pass, the simple fact that Simon and Garfunkel are back in communication is a triumph—a testament to the power of forgiveness and friendship.

The Basis of Their Bond

One of the most revealing parts of Garfunkel’s reflections was his description of what made their connection so special. “Paul’s very funny. The basis of the Simon & Garfunkel relationship is laughter and jokes even more than the music. We’re both Lenny Bruce fans. We love Mike Nichols and Elaine May. We love Mel Brooks. Right from the beginning, we laughed all the time, and it was the source of our connection.”

A Legacy of Music and Forgiveness

As the years pass, the story of Simon and Garfunkel is no longer just about classic songs or sold-out arenas. It’s about two men who, after a lifetime of music and misunderstanding, found the courage to forgive. Their reunion—marked by tears, confessions, and hugs—reminds us that healing is possible, even after decades of hurt.

Now, it’s time to hear from you. Do you think Simon and Garfunkel will ever reunite for one last project or performance? Share your thoughts below—and keep listening, because their music, and their story, is far from over.