Simon and Garfunkel

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel were a duo who worked together throughout the 1960s. Their music echoed the popular folk rock of the time, though it gradually became more experimental, and resulted in the pair being regarded as icons of the era alongside others such as Bob Dylan. Though the relationship between the duo had its faults causing constant breakups and reunions, the music produced was so beautiful it belonged in its own category. The duo became known for their unique harmonies although as their music developed they began to move away from harmonizing and each took lead roles in singing.
The duo formed in the late 1950s but did not receive great commercial success until the mid-1960s. Their first major hit was a reedited version of their 1964 song The Sound of Silence. In 1966 they released their third album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. This album revealed a more creative side to the pair. They worked closely with their sound engineer and incorporated uncommon influences such as gospel sounds. The film The Graduate was released in 1967 and helped to spread their music as well as create a number-one single, Mrs. Robinson which was subsequently released on their next album Bookends. The duo decided to take a break in 1970 following the release of their final and most successful album, Bridge Over Troubled Water, though it was soon announced to be a permanent split. 
Artistic disagreements, differences in interests and creative lulls caused several breakups between Simon and Garfunkel in the beginning and throughout their career. This resulted in several unsuccessful solo albums being released by Simon in the early 1960s. Perhaps because of their stormy relationship the duo failed to produce albums as quickly as record labels demanded, leaving them under much pressure to fulfill record demands. However, the pair continued to reunite time and time again which resulted in a total of five studio albums. After their final breakup in 1970 both Simon and Garfunkel released solo material. Garfunkel released a few solo hits and pursued an acting career, starring in 3 movies before 1980. Simon stuck with music and released several critically and commercially successful albums. 
Since 1970 the duo has reunited several times but never released another studio album. Both Simon and Garfunkel ran into some creative difficulties in 1980. These difficulties are part of what fueled one of the most famous reunions in 1981 when they played a free concert in Central Park to help benefit New York’s economic situation. A recording of the concert was released and was met with much success, even igniting plans for a world tour that quickly feel apart as familiar rifts between the pair revealed themselves yet again.
Listening Recommendations:
• The Boxer
• Mrs. Robinson
• The Sound of Silence