Art Garfunkel says he cried after learning he had hurt Paul Simon during an emotional reunion

American singer and actor Art Garfunkel recently spoke up about his reunion with his former musical partner Paul Simon and how they stepped towards reconciliation after years of estrangement. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Garfunkel revealed that the meeting, their first in many years, was deeply emotional.

"I actually had lunch with Paul a couple of weeks back. First time we'd been together in many years. I looked at Paul and said, 'What happened? Why haven't we seen each other?' Paul mentioned an old interview where I said some stuff. I cried when he told me how much I had hurt him," he said.

He added, "Looking back, I guess I wanted to shake up the nice guy image of Simon & Garfunkel. Y'know what? I was a fool!"

Garfunkel and Simon performed together as the folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. They are considered one of the best-selling music acts of the 1960s and have won 10 Grammy awards. Their first album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. came out in 1963 and they split up in 1970 soon after releasing Bridge over Troubled Water, their fifth and final studio album.

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Art Garfunkel reflects on past tensions and hints at a possible reunion

Despite his rocky history with Paul Simon, Garfunkel expressed optimism about the future. He mentioned plans for another meeting, hinting at the possibility of rekindling their musical connection.

Art Garfunkel expressed that the meeting with Paul Simon was an opportunity to make amends before it was too late, describing the moment as a return to a "wonderful place."

He reflected emotionally on the encounter, mentioning that thinking about it now still brings tears to his eyes and that he could still feel the warmth of Simon's hug.

Art Garfunkel Jr., the singer's son and collaborator on their new album Father and Son, also commented on the reunion. Art Jr. hinted at the possibility of a musical reunion, suggesting a charity event or TV special could serve as a starting point.

Art Garfunkel Jr. noted that despite the ups and downs in his father's relationship with Paul Simon over the years, the recent meeting left Garfunkel feeling joyful. He shared that his father called him afterward, saying, "Paul's my brother, he's family."

After their initial split in 1970, following the release of Bridge Over Troubled Water, they reunited intermittently for high-profile events such as the 1981 Central Park concert and the 2003 Old Friends tour.

Despite these reunions, tensions persisted. In a 2015 interview, Garfunkel publicly criticized Simon, calling him an "idiot" and a "jerk" for ending their partnership. Simon, in turn, dismissed the idea of future collaborations, citing their strained dynamic.

"Quite honestly, we don't get along. So it's not like it's fun [to perform together]," Simon said in 2016.

Paul Simon, now 83, has faced health challenges in recent years, including significant hearing loss, which he discussed in an interview with The Guardian in October 2023. Despite this, Simon expressed hope for performing again, stating:

"I'm optimistic. Six months ago, I was pessimistic."

Garfunkel, also 83, continues to perform actively alongside his family. Art Garfunkel Jr. believes industry encouragement could pave the way for a reunion, potentially tied to significant events like the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live in 2025.

Garfunkel has several upcoming concerts scheduled in New York City this month alongside his son, Art Garfunkel Jr., and other family members.

Additionally, the duo recently released an album titled Father and Son.

Looking ahead, Garfunkel's focus remains on his musical career, while Simon's future performances are uncertain due to his hearing issues, though he remains optimistic about returning to live concerts in the future.