Simon, Garfunkel Set Tour For Fall

[911SC Pilot]

Dusting the cobwebs off their friendship, the folk-rock duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel announced Tuesday they were reuniting for a concert tour of North America this fall.

Shows begin Oct. 18 at The Palace at Auburn Hills, outside Detroit.

The 1960s favorites, who last recorded together in 1975, have sold more than 40 million albums in the United States with hits like "The Sound of Silence," "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Mrs. Robinson."

They're titling the tour "Old Friends," but the men have had a contentious relationship until the ice broke earlier this year when they performed "The Sound of Silence" together at the Grammy Awards.

"I never actually thought that we'd lost our ability to sing together and have a blend," Simon said. "What we had was a friendship that was estranged, and the Grammys was an opportunity to put that behind us. That's exactly what we did."

Garfunkel said it was "truly a joy" to sing again with Simon, whom he's known for 50 years.

"It's family, the two of us," he said. "Our moms know each other. They're still alive. There has been a deep, buried affection for the last decade or so and it was the Grammys that forced it out of burial."

The duo sang three songs at The Bottom Line nightclub in New York City: "Old Friends," "Homeward Bound" and "The Boxer." Simon strummed an acoustic guitar and Garfunkel struck a familiar pose, clasping his hands in front of him as he reached for high notes. Both wore jeans.

They shared knowing glances during a line from "Old Friends" — "how terribly strange to be 70" — that has far more resonance than when Simon wrote it. Both men will turn 62 during the tour.

They will stick almost exclusively to old Simon & Garfunkel material, with maybe one or two songs from the intervening solo years.

For example, Simon said he's always imagined his solo song, "Slip Slidin' Away," as a Simon & Garfunkel tune. They might try Simon's "American Tune" as well, he said. They'll tour with a full band.

"We don't intend to reimagine that work," Simon said. "We're going to try to recapture it as it was and not alter it."

The duo revealed 28 cities where they would perform, but no arenas and dates after the opener. They hope to add two more cities, a spokeswoman said.

Ticket prices for some shows will go on sale Monday. Ticket prices also weren't revealed, although similar acts sell tickets for up to $250 each.

There are no plans for performances outside of North America after the tour ends in mid-December, Garfunkel said.

They last went on tour in 1982-83, and also performed 21 concerts in 1993 in New York City.

"Since we seem to be doing this every 10 or 12 years, this is probably the last time we're going to be doing this," Simon said.

The long layoff makes it difficult to predict what type of business the duo will do playing large arenas, said Gary Bongiovanni, editor of the concert trade publication Pollstar.

"There will be a substantial number of people who will pay a good premium for good seats," he said. "The problem is whether people will pay $85 to sit in the back ... I don't know. I honestly don't know."

Simon said he's looking forward to reconnecting with fans who enjoyed the duo's music when they were young.

"Because of the passage of time and the emotions that go with that," he said, "the performance and the experience is freighted with the potential for something extraordinary to occur. I hope that will happen."

[Doug Zielke]

Dusting the cobwebs off their friendship, the folk-rock duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel announced Tuesday they were reuniting for a concert tour of North America this fall.

[hardflex]

I'd pay to see them.... I've always enjoyed their music. Just cuz they don't play at 117 DB doesn't mean the music can't move you.

The concert in Central Park was great!!

[HarryD]

Funny, I have been waiting for this since 1981. I was living in Houston at the time and had tickets to their last tour. Unfortunately, concert night was the same night that Hurricane Alicia was to make landfall. They cancelled the concert. sigh....

Hopefully, this time around will be a little less exciting.

[David]

I caught the end of the Central Park concert on PBS last night, but luckily it will be on again Wednesday night. Probably best to record it so you can fast forward past the request for money part, but they have some interesting info on S&G during the breaks.


BTW: don't get excited about the title of this thread, it's really old!

[stealthn]

One of my lifetime favorite songs

[dad911]

LOL, this thread got more replies now THAN IN 2003 when it was originally posted.

#13yearThreadBump

[LEAKYSEALS951]

^funny stuff.

Had this been real, I would still really have a hard time deciding to go.
For example- I love the early stuff. Well, really, everything. Paul Simon could throw tablescraps and I will bite. Sort of.

I also love stuff like CSN. Having watched CSN in the early 90's with Michael Hedges opening, I was pretty much in heaven. Recently, they played (well- sans Hedges) in C-ville and my wife offered to get tickets. I passed, realizing that this would probably be my last chance to see the three of them together before one of them dies, but I passed up the opportunity anyway.

Same goes for all the other 60's stars- Stones, Who, Paul Simon, Elton. All incredible- but I'll pass none the less. Maybe I'm at peace- they've had a good run, and I've enjoyed the music, but I'm not going to follow their every last breath.

Especially Paul Simon- I remember reading an article in which he stated he hates playing live because he is constantly overanalyzing the situation and is constantly worrying about sound and stuff, so he never really enjoys it. After reading that- I projected that concern on everything he plays live, and, for the most part, he really does look disconnected. Glad he gives a f#$%, but for me, he's no fun to watch live for this reason- he's not really there.

But don't tell my wife- if she gets me some tickets to any of the above, I won't miss a beat.

Edit- earlier in the week, before this thread was resurrected, I did a "who hasn't died yet" doubletake, and was amazed at how many 60's singers/bands WERE still alive. Crosby, for instance had a liver transplant for hep-c probably over 20-30 years ago. The Stones will never die as far as I can tell. I remember when the Who re-banded in the late 80's /early nineties for touring. These people are going to have to die at some point... but when?!??!?!??!?

[David]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Especially Paul Simon- I remember reading an article in which he stated he hates playing live because he is constantly overanalyzing the situation and is constantly worrying about sound and stuff, so he never really enjoys it. After reading that- I projected that concern on everything he plays live, and, for the most part, he really does look disconnected. Glad he gives a f#$%, but for me, he's no fun to watch live for this reason- he's not really there.

I saw Paul Simon with Sting a year or so ago and he seemed to be enjoying himself. Maybe not having all the pressure on one head liner did it. They played their own stuff separately and then they came out together and did some of their hits together.

[Baz]

FWIW this song was written about the time they were splitting up. Art was in Mexico filming "Catch 22". Listening to the lyrics....."Tom" is what Art was called when they were "Tom and Jerry".

Great song - always been one of my favourites......

[creaturecat]

quite the saga. those two.

[sammyg2]

There should be a law against teasing like that.

[Skillet83]

That 1966 performance is great, and like that tune a lot. But those two look like Harry and Loyd from Dumb and Dumber sitting together. Previous statement was meant light hearted.