Art Garfunkel Wanted To Physically Hurt Paul Simon When They Were Feuding

After years of tension, Art Garfunkel has finally opened up about his long-standing feud with Paul Simon. The two iconic folk rockers have had a rollercoaster relationship, breaking up and making up multiple times throughout their career. But it wasn’t until a 2015 interview where Garfunkel called Simon a “jerk,” “idiot,” and “monster” that things seemed to hit a breaking point. However, earlier this year, the duo managed to reconcile and end their estrangement, a moment Garfunkel describes as full of “sweet candor.”

The Road to Reconciliation

The turning point in their relationship came through a surprising connection. Garfunkel explained how it all began: “Paul’s ex-wife, Peggy Simon, had moved into the place where I live, and their son, Harper, ran into me in the halls. I knew this was going to happen sooner or later.” Harper, Simon’s son, eventually set up a lunch meeting between the two. During this honest conversation, Garfunkel admitted his role in the past conflict.

“Paul said to me, ‘Arty, it’s not that you spoke to the British press and that you didn’t do it well. I know you said you wanted to put spice into the image of Simon and Garfunkel. I know you felt that we were too conservative,’” Garfunkel recalled. He went on to explain that his idea of adding “spice” was to be candid, which unintentionally hurt Simon’s feelings. “I realized; I did hurt his feelings,” Garfunkel confessed.

That Powerful Moment of Healing

The conversation became emotionally charged when Simon revealed how deeply Garfunkel’s words had affected him. “‘I felt you wanted to hurt me. That’s what got me,’” Simon told Garfunkel. Garfunkel was struck by the truth of his words. “I wanted to hurt him. The next thing I knew, I burst into tears.”

Garfunkel described this moment as life-changing. “The admission of the truth is psychological. You give it up and admit that you wanted to hurt somebody,” he explained. “You’re touched by your own confession. And then there were hugs. It was a wonderful moment for Simon & Garfunkel. It basically ended the years of detachment.”

A Bond Built on Laughter

Reflecting on their deep connection, Garfunkel revealed that laughter was the true foundation of their partnership. “Paul’s very funny. The basis of the Simon & Garfunkel relationship is laughter and jokes – even more than music,” he said. “We’re both Lenny Bruce fans. We love Mike Nichols and Elaine May. We love Mel Brooks. Right from the beginning, we laughed all the time, and it was the source of our connection.”

Grab a copy of Garfunkel’s new album, Father and Son, available now.