Art Garfunkel: The Ethereal Voice of Folk and Soft Rock

Art Garfunkel is an American singer and musician best known as one half of the legendary folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. His soaring, pure tenor voice became a defining sound of the 1960s and 1970s, contributing to multiple chart-topping albums and timeless hits that have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide.

Early career

Born in 1941 in Forest Hills, New York, Arthur Ira Garfunkel met Paul Simon in elementary school. The pair began performing together as teenagers under names like Tom & Jerry, finding minor success with the 1957 single "Hey, Schoolgirl." After a period of separation for college, where Garfunkel studied architecture, the duo reunited in the early 1960s, signing with Columbia Records and adopting the now-famous name Simon & Garfunkel.

Breakthrough

The duo's major breakthrough came in 1965 when their folk rock album Sounds of Silence topped the Billboard 200 chart, propelled by the title track's massive success. This established Garfunkel's voice as a central instrument in their sound, leading to a string of era-defining albums like Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966) and the Grammy-winning Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970), which sold over 25 million copies globally.

Key tracks

Bridge Over Troubled Water - This monumental 1970 ballad, featuring Garfunkel's vulnerable lead vocal, won Record of the Year and became one of the duo's most iconic songs.

The Sound of Silence - The 1965 folk rock version transformed the duo's career, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a cultural anthem.

Bright Eyes - Garfunkel's 1979 solo single from the film *Watership Down* became a massive UK and European hit, showcasing his enduring appeal as a vocalist.

Scarborough Fair/Canticle - This 1966 track is a masterclass in the duo's harmonic blend, with Garfunkel's clear, melodic delivery perfectly complementing Simon's arrangement.

Following Simon & Garfunkel's initial split in 1970, Art Garfunkel launched a solo career. He achieved success with albums like Angel Clare (1973) and Breakaway (1975), which included the top 10 hit "I Only Have Eyes for You." His work also expanded into acting, with notable roles in films such as *Catch-22* and *Carnal Knowledge*. Throughout the decades, Garfunkel has periodically reunited with Paul Simon for major tours and performances, including the famous 1981 concert in Central Park.

Fans of Art Garfunkel's harmonic folk rock style may also appreciate the intricate songwriting of Paul Simon. His work shares a deep lyrical and melodic sensibility. The gentle vocal delivery of James Taylor also resonates with Garfunkel's soft rock aesthetic. For the classic 1960s folk rock harmony sound, explore The Mamas and the Papas. The melodic pop-rock of Bread offers a similar smooth, vocal-focused approach from the same era.

The music of Art Garfunkel, both with Simon & Garfunkel and as a solo artist, remains a staple on classic rock and soft rock radio stations. His recordings are frequently featured on formats dedicated to classic pop and rock, ensuring his voice continues to reach new generations of listeners.

You can explore the enduring catalog of Art Garfunkel by tuning into radio stations available on onairium.com, where his iconic folk rock and soft rock recordings are regularly played.