Simon & Garfunkel Simon & Garfunkel were an American folk-rock duo consisting of Paul Simon (guitar/vocals, born 1941) and Art Garfunkel (vocals, born 1941), childhood friends from Queens, New York. They first recorded as Tom & Jerry in 1957 (“Hey Schoolgirl”), then reunited in 1963. Their breakthrough came with “The Sound of Silence” (No. 1, 1965, after electric overdubs by producer Tom Wilson). Subsequent hits included “I Am a Rock,” “Homeward Bound,” “The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy),” and the Graduate soundtrack classic “Mrs. Robinson” (No. 1, 1968). The landmark album Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) produced the title track (No. 1) and sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Creative tensions led to their 1970 breakup, but they reunited for landmark concerts (Central Park 1981 drew 600,000) and occasional tours. Both pursued acclaimed solo careers—Simon with global hits and Garfunkel with acting (Catch-22) and recordings. As of 2026, both in their mid-80s, Simon has largely retired from touring while Garfunkel deals with vocal challenges but remains active creatively. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1990), their poetic lyrics and pristine harmonies defined 1960s introspection and folk-rock elegance.