Discover the story of the song > Old Friends – Simon & Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk-rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They were born on October 13, 1941 (Simon) and November 5, 1941 (Garfunkel) in Newark, New Jersey.

The duo first began performing together in a group called Tom and Jerry in 1957 while still in high school. They released their first single, "Hey, Schoolgirl," in 1957 which became a minor hit. They continued to perform throughout college and eventually signed a contract with Columbia Records in 1964.

Their debut album, "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M." was a commercial failure, but the single "The Sound of Silence," released in 1965, became a huge hit and propelled the album to the top of the charts. They continued to release successful albums over the next several years, including "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme," "Bookends," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Despite their success, Simon and Garfunkel had creative differences and tensions within the duo led to their breakup in 1970. They both pursued solo careers, but occasionally reunited for concerts and tours over the years.

In 1990, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in 2003, they performed once again at a benefit concert for the Children's Health Fund. Their music has continued to inspire and influence many musicians and fans alike.
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