Few voices in folk rock are as instantly recognizable as Art Garfunkel’s — a soaring tenor that defined a generation. But in 2010, after choking on a piece of lobster, that voice was threatened by vocal cord paresis, leading to surgery and years of recovery. Today, at 82, Garfunkel is still performing and even planning a major tour, proving that resilience runs deeper than any harmony.
Full name: Arthur Ira Garfunkel ·
Born: November 5, 1941 (age 82) ·
Occupation: Singer, actor, poet ·
Years active: 1956–present ·
Genres: Folk rock, soft rock ·
Associated acts: Simon & Garfunkel
Quick snapshot
- Born November 5, 1941 in New York City (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- Married Kim Garfunkel in 1988 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)) (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- Underwent vocal cord surgery in 2010 (Rolling Stone (music magazine))
- Simon & Garfunkel broke up in 1970 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)) (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- Lives in New York City and the Berkshires (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)) (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- Exact diagnosis (grazed cord vs. paresis vs. lesion) not universally confirmed
- Current frequency of communication between Simon and Garfunkel not publicly detailed
- Future plans for collaboration or recording remain uncertain
- Exact timeline of vocal recovery milestones not universally corroborated
- Current net worth figures remain estimates
- 1941: Born in New York City (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1970: Simon & Garfunkel disband (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 2010: Vocal cord surgery (Rolling Stone (music magazine))
- 2024: Father And Son album released (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- Preparing first major tour in seven years (People (celebrity news))
- New album with son Art Garfunkel Jr. released November 2024 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)) (People (celebrity news))
- Continued solo performances and poetry projects, publishing a book in 2019 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)) (People (celebrity news))
Art Garfunkel’s story is one of consistent dedication to his craft, spanning decades.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arthur Ira Garfunkel |
| Born | November 5, 1941 (age 82) |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Folk rock, soft rock |
| Years Active | 1956–present |
| Spouse(s) | Kim Garfunkel (m. 1988), Linda Grossman (m. 1972; div. 1975) |
| Children | 2 sons |
What illness does Art Garfunkel have?
Vocal cord paresis diagnosis
- In 2010, Garfunkel choked on a piece of lobster, which damaged his vocal cords and led to paresis (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- His doctor examined his throat with a camera inserted through his nose (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
- The condition threatened his ability to sing, and a planned Simon & Garfunkel reunion tour was postponed indefinitely (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
Surgery and recovery
- Garfunkel underwent vocal cord surgery in 2010 and quit smoking to aid recovery (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
- By 2012, he said he was about 95 percent healed (Global News (Canadian news outlet)).
- In 2014, he reported his voice was 96 percent back (Rolling Stone (music magazine)).
- He built a new show to work around his vocal situation and no longer needed special staging (Art Garfunkel Official (artist’s website)).
Impact on performing career
- Garfunkel returned to concert dates in the mid-2010s (GRAMMY.com (music industry authority)).
- On April 10, 2023, he canceled remaining dates, with management saying he would not tour for the foreseeable future (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- Despite the setback, he continued recording and released a duet album with his son in 2024 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
Garfunkel’s once-effortless tenor now requires careful management, but he has turned a physical limitation into a creative catalyst — working with family and reimagining his stage presence.
The implication: vocal cord injuries don’t have to end a career, but they force adaptations that can reshape an artist’s relationship with their own instrument.
What caused the split between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel?
Creative differences in 1970
- Simon & Garfunkel disbanded in 1970 after the release of Bridge Over Troubled Water (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- Paul Simon later said, “We grew apart musically. Art was into acting, I was writing songs” (Rolling Stone Australia (music magazine)).
- Garfunkel’s acting commitments (including Catch-22) and Simon’s desire for creative control fueled the tension (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
Post-split collaborations
- They reunited for the 1981 Concert in Central Park, drawing over 500,000 people (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- In 2003, they completed the Old Friends reunion tour (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- Occasional one-off performances have occurred since, though no new studio recordings as a duo have been made.
Reunions and reconciliation
- Garfunkel described their relationship as “a brotherly bond that never breaks, but we don’t socialize” (Art Garfunkel Official (artist’s website)).
- A 2024 report noted a recent reunion that brought both to tears (Rolling Stone Australia (music magazine)).
The same creative tension that produced timeless harmonies also made sustained collaboration impossible. For fans, the cost of that friction is a catalog frozen in 1970, with only rare live reunions.
What this means: the Simon & Garfunkel split wasn’t a single event but a gradual divergence of artistic paths — acting vs. songwriting, harmony vs. control — that only occasionally re-converge.
Did Art Garfunkel ever marry?
Marriage to Linda Grossman
- Garfunkel married Linda Grossman in 1972; they divorced in 1975 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
Marriage to Kim Garfunkel
- He married Kim Garfunkel in 1988, and they remain together (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- Kim has been a steady presence through his vocal health struggles and career shifts.
Children and family life
- Garfunkel has two sons: James (born 1991, an actor) and Beau (born 1995) (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- In 2024, he released an album Father And Son with his son Art Garfunkel Jr. (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
The pattern: Garfunkel’s long second marriage and his close collaboration with his son suggest a man who has built a stable family life around the uncertainty of a performing career.
Do Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel still talk?
Reconciliation after years of estrangement
- The two have maintained a strained but functional relationship (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- Garfunkel has said, “We have a brotherly bond that never breaks, but we don’t socialize” (Art Garfunkel Official (artist’s website)).
The 2003 Old Friends tour
- That tour was the most extensive post-split collaboration, covering 40+ dates (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
Current relationship status
- They remain in contact but have not recorded new music as a duo (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- A 2024 meeting was described as emotional, suggesting a thawing of old tensions (Rolling Stone Australia (music magazine)).
Two artists in their 80s, each with a towering legacy, have found a way to coexist without rekindling the creative fire. For fans, the emotional bond is real — but the music is over.
Why this matters: the relationship between Simon and Garfunkel is a masterclass in how artistic partnerships can evolve into something more fragile but still meaningful.
What is Art Garfunkel doing today?
Current touring and performances
- Garfunkel continues to give concerts, though at a reduced pace (GRAMMY.com (music industry authority)).
- In 2024, he and his family performed together at Cafe Carlyle in New York (People (celebrity news)).
- A 2026 interview revealed he is preparing his first major tour in seven years (People (celebrity news)).
Recent poetry and book projects
- He published a poetry book, What Is It But Laughter?, in 2019 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
Presence on social media and website
- His official website (artgarfunkelofficial.de) provides updates on projects and appearances (Art Garfunkel Official (artist’s website)).
The catch: at 82, Garfunkel is not slowing down, but he is redefining what “active” means — shifting from marathon tours to curated performances and family collaborations.
Where does Art Garfunkel live today?
New York City residence
- He maintains a primary home in New York City (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
Weekend home in the Berkshires
- He also owns a property in the Berkshire region of Massachusetts (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- This dual residence allows him to balance city life with the tranquility of the countryside.
The pattern: Garfunkel’s living situation mirrors his career — anchored in New York, where his music career began, with a retreat to nature for recovery and reflection.
Timeline signal
- 1941 – Arthur Ira Garfunkel born in New York City (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1956 – Forms duo Tom & Jerry with Paul Simon at Forest Hills High School (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1964 – Releases first Simon & Garfunkel album Wednesday Morning, 3 AM (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1965 – “The Sound of Silence” becomes a hit after overdubbing (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1970 – Simon & Garfunkel disband after final album Bridge Over Troubled Water (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1972 – Marries Linda Grossman (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1973 – Releases first solo album Angel Clare (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1975 – Divorces Linda Grossman (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1981 – Reunion concert in Central Park (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 1988 – Marries Kim Garfunkel (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 2003 – Old Friends reunion tour with Paul Simon (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 2010 – Undergoes vocal cord surgery (Rolling Stone (music magazine))
- 2017 – Releases solo album Songs from a Parent to a Child (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 2019 – Publishes poetry book What Is It But Laughter? (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- 2024 – Releases Father And Son album with his son (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Art Garfunkel was born on November 5, 1941 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- He married Kim Garfunkel in 1988 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- He underwent vocal cord surgery in 2010 (Rolling Stone (music magazine))
- Simon & Garfunkel broke up in 1970 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
- He lives in New York City and the Berkshires (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia))
What’s unclear
- Exact diagnosis of vocal cord condition (grazed cord vs. paresis vs. lesion) not universally confirmed
- Current frequency of communication between Simon and Garfunkel not publicly detailed
- Future plans for collaboration or recording remain uncertain
Voices: Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon
My voice is fragile now, but I’m grateful to still sing.
We grew apart musically. Art was into acting, I was writing songs.
We have a brotherly bond that never breaks, but we don’t socialize.
For Garfunkel, the choice is clear: continue performing on his own terms, with family by his side, or risk letting the silence of vocal cord paralysis define his final act. The upcoming tour and the father-son album suggest he has chosen the former — a quiet but determined encore.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Art Garfunkel’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but his net worth is reported to be around $95 million, accumulated from Simon & Garfunkel royalties, solo work, and acting (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
How many children does Art Garfunkel have?
He has two sons: James (an actor) and Beau (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
What is Art Garfunkel’s height?
He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall.
What awards has Simon & Garfunkel won?
They have won multiple Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Album of the Year for Bridge Over Troubled Water (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
How many albums did Art Garfunkel release as a solo artist?
He has released 13 solo albums, including Angel Clare (1973) and Songs from a Parent to a Child (2017) (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
Does Art Garfunkel have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Yes, Simon & Garfunkel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983.
When did Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon meet?
They met in 1953 at Forest Hills High School in Queens, New York (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
What is Art Garfunkel’s most famous solo song?
His biggest solo hit is “All I Know” (1973), which reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
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Richard Vane is Senior Reporter at MorningTimes.uk, covering breaking UK news stories across politics, business and public affairs.