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Art Garfunkel, born November 5, 1941, is the American singer whose clear, soaring tenor made Simon & Garfunkel one of the defining duos of the 1960s. As one half of the folk-rock partnership with Paul Simon, he gave voice to songs that became anthems of a generation. After the duo’s partnership ran its course, he built a respected solo career, acted on screen, and pursued one of the most unusual passions in music history.
One half of a legendary duo
Garfunkel was born in New York City on November 5, 1941. With Paul Simon, he formed the folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, and the two young singers quickly became one of the most successful acts of their era. Their blend was unmistakable: Simon wrote the songs, and Garfunkel’s high, pure voice gave them their shimmer. Audiences in the 1960s heard them everywhere, on the radio, in concert halls, and in films, and their harmonies came to define the sound of a generation.
Songs that became standards
The duo’s catalogue is full of songs that have become permanent parts of popular music. The Sound of Silence gave them their breakthrough, its hushed guitar and close harmonies turning into an anthem for the unease of the decade. Mrs. Robinson brought their sound to a new audience, The Boxer showed the emotional depth their voices could carry, and Bridge Over Troubled Water became one of the most beloved recordings of all time, with Garfunkel’s lead vocal carrying its soaring chorus. These songs are still played, covered, and loved more than half a century later.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
In 1990, Simon & Garfunkel were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a recognition of just how deeply the duo had shaped popular music. Few partnerships in music have ever balanced so precisely: two voices, two personalities, one unmistakable sound. The induction confirmed what audiences had known for decades, that the duo belonged among the greats.
A solo career
After the duo, Garfunkel stepped out on his own as a solo artist, releasing records that showcased his voice without the famous partnership. A solo career is a brave move after singing in one of the most celebrated duos in history, but Garfunkel’s voice needed no introduction. His solo work has continued over the decades, and he has remained a working musician, returning to the stage again and again to sing the songs that made him famous and the newer songs he loves.
On screen: Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge
Garfunkel also tried his hand at acting, appearing in the films Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge. For a singer famous for his voice, the move to film was a natural extension of a performer’s life. The two roles showed that he could hold a screen as well as a melody, adding another dimension to a career that refused to stay in one lane.
The long walk
Perhaps the most unusual fact about Art Garfunkel is his passion for long-distance walking. He is known for his long-distance walks across America and Europe, epic treks that take him across continents one step at a time. It is a hobby as distinctive as his voice: patient, solitary, and quietly ambitious. Where other stars filled their years with parties and headlines, Garfunkel walked, across America, across Europe, living at the pace of his own two feet.
Key facts about Art Garfunkel
Art Garfunkel was born on November 5, 1941, in New York City. He is one half of the folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, with Paul Simon. Their best-known songs include The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, The Boxer, and Bridge Over Troubled Water. The duo was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Garfunkel went on to a solo career, appeared in the films Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge, and is known for his long-distance walks across America and Europe.
Frequently asked questions
When was Art Garfunkel born? November 5, 1941, in New York City.
What duo was Art Garfunkel in? Simon & Garfunkel, with Paul Simon, one of the most successful folk-rock duos of the 1960s.
What are Simon & Garfunkel’s most famous songs? The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, The Boxer, and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Is Art Garfunkel in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Yes. Simon & Garfunkel were inducted in 1990.
Did Art Garfunkel act in films? Yes. He appeared in the films Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge.
What is Art Garfunkel known for besides music? He is known for his long-distance walks across America and Europe.
Why Art Garfunkel matters
Art Garfunkel matters because his voice is one of the most beautiful ever recorded. The high, clear tenor that carried Bridge Over Troubled Water to immortality is instantly recognisable, and the songs he sang with Paul Simon remain woven into the fabric of popular culture. Beyond the music, he matters as an example of a different kind of stardom: no scandals, no noise, just a remarkable voice, a handful of perfect songs, and the willingness to walk across a continent at his own pace. On November 5, music lovers celebrate the birthday of a singer whose voice will outlive us all.
Read more about November 5 on November 5 Holidays, Observances and History.