Hey there, friends. You might recognize Art Garfunkel as the angelic tenor behind some of the most iconic songs of the 20th century. As one half of the legendary duo Simon & Garfunkel, Art's voice has touched the hearts of millions, blending seamlessly with Paul Simon's songwriting genius. But what happened to Art after the duo's heyday? Where is he now, and what's he been up to? Let's dive in and find out.
Art's Early Days and Rise to Fame
Art Garfunkel was born on November 5, 1941, in Queens, New York. From the moment he could walk, Art was performing. It was destiny, really. He met his future partner, Paul Simon, back in elementary school. These two were destined to make magic together. In 1957, they recorded their first single, "Hey, Schoolgirl," which landed them a spot on the pop charts. Not bad for a couple of kids just starting out, right?
Fast forward to 1964, and Simon & Garfunkel released their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 a.m., under Columbia Records. Unfortunately, it didn’t take off right away, and the duo split for a bit. But then, something magical happened. Producer Tom Wilson remixed their song "The Sound of Silence," and suddenly, they were everywhere. It hit No. 1 on the charts, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Read also:Hoda Kotbs Life Beyond The Spotlight Makeupfree And Loving It
Over the next few decades, the duo released four more albums, chock-full of hits like "Mrs. Robinson," "Homeward Bound," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and "The Boxer." Both Art and Paul also pursued solo careers while continuing their work as a duo. In 1990, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Not too shabby for two guys who started out as kids in Queens.
Though they split up multiple times over the years, Art and Paul reunited in 2003 to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 45th Annual Grammys. They even went on another tour across the U.S. and Europe after that. It’s like they just couldn’t stay away from each other—or the stage.
Where Is Art Garfunkel Now?
In January 2010, Art faced a bit of a setback. He had a vocal issue after choking on a piece of lobster at a restaurant. This incident left him with a hoarse voice and swallowing issues. After visiting the doctor, he discovered that one of his vocal cords was stiff and thicker than the other. Imagine that—such a small thing affecting such a legendary voice.
Art shared with Rolling Stone in February 2014, “As the weeks went by, I realized I couldn’t finesse my singing in the mid-range. I could hit the high and low notes, but the mid-range was a struggle. It was indescribable. I was crude instead of fine.” But don’t worry, folks, Art didn’t let this stop him. By 2014, he regained about 96% of his singing voice and was eager to return to the stage.
However, in April 2023, Art’s team announced that he wouldn’t be returning to touring anytime soon and canceled all upcoming dates. It’s bittersweet, but we’re grateful for the music he’s already given us.
