Today marks Art Garfunkel’s 79th birthday. The celebrated singer was born Arthur Ira Garfunkel on November 5, 1941 in New York City. Art is most well-known for his angelic harmonies as one half of the legendary singer-songwriter duo Simon & Garfunkel along with Paul Simon. Although the pair parted ways at the end of the 1960s, Simon & Garfunkel would conduct a number of high-profile reunions throughout the decades, most notably for their landmark 1981 The Concert In Central Park.
But 12 years later — the duo have famously had an often acrimonious, on and off relationship over the years — Simon & Garfunkel reunited once again for a 21-date residency at the Paramount Theater in New York followed by an appearance at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit at Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California on November 6, 1993 ( a day after Art’s 52nd birthday). No matter how contentious their relationship became when the curtains closed, it was a safe bet the lifelong friends and collaborators would deliver on stage.
Simon & Garfunkel headlined the concert and performed after Young as well as other artists including Melissa Etheridge, Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt and more. The duo — backed by sparse instrumentation at times — “played the hits” as the adage goes, kicking things off with “The Boxer” followed by “America,” “Homeward Bound” and “Mrs. Robinson.” Garfunkel then led the way on one of his signature songs, the traditional “Scarborough Fair.”
After “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy),” Simon would leave the stage and Garfunkel stepped into the spotlight for hands down the song of his career, the Simon-penned “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which never fails to move. Paul returned with the opening strains of “The Sound Of Silence,” on which the duo welcomed the late great Eddie Van Halen — who, along with his bandmate Sammy Hagar, was a late addition to the benefit — on guitar.
To celebrate Art Garfunkel’s birthday, watch Simon & Garfunkel’s entire performance at the 1993 Bridge School Benefit below via Folk & Country on MV:
Setlist
Simon & Garfunkel at Shoreline Amphitheatre
- The Boxer
- America
- Homeward Bound
- Mrs. Robinson
- Scarborough Fair
- The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
- The Sound of Silence
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