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Friday, April 24, 2020

The "A Song For All Time!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading about one of my favorite duos of all time, Simon and Garfunkel.  It has been 50 years since the duo last recorded any songs.  They, along with The Everly Brothers, The Smother Brothers, Jan and Dean and The Righteous Brothers were perhaps my favorite recording musical duos of all time.  But, the unique harmonic sound of Simon and Garfunkel brought a special brand of folk-rock to the world 50 years ago that has never been heard since then.  And, their signature song of all time has to be "Bridge over Troubled Water."  
Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon as "Tom & Jerry"
The history of the duo goes way back to elementary school where they became best friends in 1953 as sixth graders.  They sang in a doo-wop group as well as performing as a duo at school events.  At the age of 15 they traveled to a Manhattan studio where they recorded a song that got them their first recording contract.  That song, "Hey Schoolgirl", made it to #49 on the charts and got them a trip to Philadelphia to play on American Bandstand in 1957.  At the time they called their duo Tom and Jerry.  After graduating from High school the following year, they headed to 

different colleges in New York City.  
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" album cover.
It wasn't until they were no longer in college that they began to perform together in 1963.  It was at that point that their genre changed from doo-wop to folk and they changed their name to Kane and Garr.  While playing at a location in Greenwich Village, Tom Wilson, a music producer, heard them and helped them get a contract with Columbia Records.  But, shortly after, Garfunkel decided to return to college and Simon headed to England to sing as well as returning to school in the States.  While in England he recorded his first solo album.  
Garfunkel (left) and Simon.
But, the duo got back together once again and when "The Sound of Silence" hit the airways it landed in the Hot 100.  By 1966 it was the #1 song on the charts.  Their success grew when they contributed to the soundtrack of the movie "The Graduate."  But, eventually they parted due to Simon's desire to do solo work as well as Garfunkel's dream of appearing in film.  It was in 1969 that they recorded their final studio album, "Bridge over Troubled Water."  It was released in 1970 and won the Grammy for Album of the Year as well as being the best single-selling album of 1970, '71 and '72.  It was 50 years ago that it became #1 title track on the charts.  "Bridge over Troubled Waters" was one of the most-covered songs of the 20th century.  But after the success, they both went their separate ways.  

They did reunite from time to time for special concerts and short tours as well as an appearance on Saturday Night Live.  In 1981 they played a show in front of a sell-out crowd of 500,000 in New York's Central Park which was recorded live.  That album sold two million copies.  They haven't sang together since, but is it their hope?  Probably not.  My wife and I saw the Everly Brothers sing together in 2013 at Lancaster's American Music Theatre even though they came in separate vans and didn't seem to talk much on stage.  A few months later Phil Everly died.  So sad that music didn't draw these groups together instead of tearing them apart.  But, fame and fortune tends to breed greed instead of friendship.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.


Lyrics to "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I'm on your side
Oh when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
Oh when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on, silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind




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