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{gar'-funk-ul}
The vocal and instrumental duo Simon and Garfunkel achieved
major success in the 1960s. Paul Frederick Simon, b. Newark,
N.J., Oct. 13, 1941, and Art (Arthur) Garfunkel, b. Forest
Hills, N.Y., Nov. 5, 1941, grew up together in Forest Hills
and began singing as a duo in high school. Their early material--most
of it written by Simon--was close to folk music in feeling
and was scored for acoustic instruments, although the duo's
most successful songs were recorded with a rock-band backing.
The 1966 album "Sounds of Silence" was a smash hit.
The 1967 song "Mrs. Robinson," written for a popular
film, The Graduate, propelled the duo to worldwide fame; their
1970 album, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," achieved
sales of more than 8 million.
The pair separated in 1970. Garfunkel has acted in films and
made some records. Simon has continued his recording career,
with hits throughout the 1970s staying in the folk-pop vein
of his earlier work. He reunited with Garfunkel for 1982's
Concert in Central Park. Influenced by the music of South
Africa's black townships, Simon recorded with some of these
South African musicians for Graceland (1986), a huge hit.
He explored the music of Brazil on Rhythm of the Saints (1990).
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