Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel
Name	Art Garfunkel
Caption	Garfunkel in 2016
Birth name	Arthur Ira Garfunkel
Birth date	5 November 1941
Birth place	Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, actor, poet
Years active	1956–present
Spouse	Linda Marie Grossman (m. 1972; div. 1975), Kim Cermak (m. 1988)

Art Garfunkel. Arthur Ira Garfunkel is an American singer, poet, and actor, renowned as one half of the folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. With partner Paul Simon, he created some of the most iconic recordings of the 1960s, including the albums Bridge over Troubled Water and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. His crystalline tenor voice and intricate harmonies were central to the duo's sound, which helped define the counterculture of the 1960s. Beyond music, Garfunkel has pursued a solo career, acted in films like Carnal Knowledge, and published collections of poetry.

Early life and education

Arthur Garfunkel was born in Forest Hills, Queens, to a family of Romanian Jewish descent. He first met Paul Simon while attending PS 164 in the borough of Queens, and they began performing together as teenagers under the name Tom & Jerry. A gifted student, he attended Forest Hills High School before enrolling at Columbia University, where he joined the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in art history and later completed a Master of Arts in mathematics education at Columbia.

Career

Garfunkel's career is most famously defined by his partnership with Paul Simon, which was revitalized in the 1960s after their early doo-wop efforts. The duo rose to fame with the acoustic rendition of "The Sound of Silence", which became a massive hit after being overdubbed with electric instruments by producer Tom Wilson. They released a series of critically acclaimed albums, including Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., Sounds of Silence, and the soundtrack for The Graduate, which featured the hit "Mrs. Robinson". Their final studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water, released in 1970, won several Grammy Awards and became one of the best-selling albums of all time. Tensions between the pair led to a breakup shortly after, though they have reunited for several notable concerts, including the 1981 performance in Central Park.

Solo work and other projects

Following the duo's dissolution, Garfunkel launched a solo singing career, releasing albums such as Angel Clare and Breakaway, which included the hit "I Only Have Eyes for You". He also embarked on an acting career, starring in films directed by Mike Nichols like Carnal Knowledge, for which he received a Golden Globe Award nomination, and Catch-22. In the 1990s, he undertook a monumental project, walking across Europe and Asia, which he chronicled in his online journal. He has published several books of prose poetry and continued to tour extensively, both as a solo artist and in reunion performances with Paul Simon.

Personal life

Garfunkel married architect Linda Marie Grossman in 1972; the marriage ended in divorce in 1975. In 1988, he married former model Kim Cermak; they have two sons, James and Beau. The family has resided in New York City and also maintains a home in Spokane, Washington. Garfunkel has faced significant personal challenges, including a period of vocal cord paresis in the 2010s that severely limited his ability to sing. He is also known for his philanthropic work, particularly in support of literacy and education initiatives.

Discography

* Angel Clare (1973) * Breakaway (1975) * Watermark (1977) * Fate for Breakfast (1979) * Scissors Cut (1981) * The Animal's Christmas (with Amy Grant) (1985) * Lefty (1988) * Up 'til Now (1993) * Everything Waits to Be Noticed (2002) * Some Enchanted Evening (2007)

Awards and recognition

Garfunkel, with Paul Simon, has received numerous accolades, including ten Grammy Awards. The duo was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Their album Bridge over Troubled Water and single "Mrs. Robinson" are enshrined in the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 1971, he won a Brit Award for International Album. Garfunkel was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of Simon & Garfunkel in 1977.

Category:American male singers Category:Simon & Garfunkel members Category:1941 births Category:Living people