At 83, Paul Simon Finally Admits Why He Couldn’t Work With Art Garfunkel

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s voices blended perfectly on stage, yet offstage, their relationship was fraught with tension and unspoken frustrations.

For over fifty years, the true reasons behind their split remained largely private.

Now, at 83, Paul Simon has chosen to share his perspective, shedding light on the creative and personal struggles that ended one of music’s greatest partnerships.

The story begins in 1953 in Queens, New York, where two eleven-year-old boys met during a school play and discovered a unique vocal harmony.

From that moment, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel forged a bond rooted in shared musical curiosity and a passion for harmony-driven folk music.

Early success came under the moniker Tom and Jerry, with their single “Hey School” earning them a spot on American Bandstand.

But it wasn’t until the mid-1960s that their careers truly took off, especially after the electrified version of “The Sound of Silence” topped the charts.

Throughout the late 1960s, their albums grew increasingly sophisticated, culminating in the critically acclaimed Bookends and the monumental Bridge Over Troubled Water in 1970.

While Paul Simon emerged as the primary songwriter and producer, Art Garfunkel’s angelic voice became the duo’s signature.

Yet beneath the surface, cracks were forming.

Art’s growing interest in acting, including his role in Catch-22, meant he often missed recording sessions, leaving Paul to shoulder much of the creative workload alone.

This imbalance bred frustration.

Paul Simon felt overshadowed by the public’s adulation of Art’s vocal performances, particularly after the success of the title track from Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Art, on the other hand, sought greater artistic input and pursued projects outside the duo, signaling diverging priorities.

A pivotal moment came when Art accepted a film role without consulting Paul, highlighting a shift from their shared focus on music.

The partnership unraveled quietly but inevitably.

Paul Simon grew weary of carrying the creative burden while Art’s commitment waned.

Their working rhythm faltered, and despite sporadic reunions—including a major 2003-2004 tour—the underlying tensions persisted.

Art’s 2015 remark describing Paul as having a “Napoleon complex” underscored decades of unresolved emotions.

After their 1970 split, Paul Simon’s solo career flourished with innovative albums like Graceland, while Art Garfunkel pursued acting and solo music with more modest success.

Their paths diverged, reflecting the professional and personal distance that had grown between them.

Recently, however, both men have shown signs of reconciliation.

Art Garfunkel has expressed regret for past emotional reactions and acknowledged the value of their shared history.

Meetings with Paul Simon’s family helped ease tensions, leading to moments of sincere exchange and mutual respect.

Though no concrete plans for new collaborations exist, their willingness to heal old wounds marks a meaningful closure.

At 83, Paul Simon faces physical challenges like hearing loss, limiting the possibility of future performances together.

Yet both artists now approach their legacy with acceptance rather than conflict.

Their story reveals how even the most harmonious duos can be divided by creative differences and personal growth, but also how time can soften divides.

Simon and Garfunkel’s music remains timeless—a bridge spanning restless waters—and their late-life rapprochement adds a poignant coda to a legendary partnership.