Simon & Garfunkel was an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the most popular recording artists of the 1960s and became counterculture icons of the decade's social revolution, alongside artists such as the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan. Their biggest hits—including "The Sound of Silence" (1964/1965), "Mrs. Robinson" (1968), "Bridge over Troubled Water" (1969), and "The Boxer" (1969)—reached number one on singles charts worldwide. In a time where some of the greatest bands existed, Simon and Garfunkel stood alongside some of the greatest musicians.
The duo met as children in Queens, New York in 1953, where they learned to harmonize together and began writing original material. By 1957, under the name Tom & Jerry, the teenagers had their first minor success with "Hey Schoolgirl", a song imitating their idols the Everly Brothers. Afterwards, the duo went their separate ways, with Simon making unsuccessful solo records. In 1963, aware of a growing public interest in folk music, they regrouped and were signed to Columbia Records as Simon & Garfunkel. Their début, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., sold poorly, and they once again disbanded. It was a tough start for the duo, it wasn’t until 1965 when their music was featured on billboard’s top 100 after being played widely on the U.S AM Radio.
Although it took a while for the two boys to finally hit it big, they sure did make some great music along the way. The song “Mrs. Robinson” is one of their most popular ones after being featured in several Hollywood movies. Today I will be sitting the car with a bunch of 18 year olds and I will test them all by putting on some of the group’s older music. To my surprise the guys are able to recognize the sweet tunes and sing along. This is how we know they created something beautiful, because it impacts a generation beyond their own.
