“The Sound of Silence” was the breakthrough smash for Simon & Garfunkel. In 1965, it became the iconic pop-folk duo’s initial chart-topper.

However, there was another kind of sound of silence for Art Garfunkel. This type wasn’t music to the ears of the refined entertainer, who possesses a beautiful, unique tenor. During a 2010 show with the aforementioned Paul Simon, the longtime smoker noticed that he had trouble singing in the midrange. His vocal condition worsened.

“I had a couple of extremely difficult years,” Garfunkel said while calling from his Manhattan apartment. “Losing a voice for Artie Garfunkel is a tragic thing.”

It’s true. Garfunkel has a unique, mellifluous voice. Fortunately for Garfunkel and his fans, the icon regained his unparalleled vocal ability. Garfunkel, who will perform Thursday at the United Theater on Broadway, still has it. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am,” Garfunkel said. “I’m still very capable.”

The lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan, who hails from Queens, New York, is 84 and can still belt out such classics as “The Sound of Silence,” “The Boxer” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” There is no one quite like Garfunkel, who is charming and self-deprecating.

One of the highlights of the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction was Garfunkel’s clever, funny and moving induction of Yusuf Islam, who performed as Cat Stevens.

“All the girls that I took out were Cat Stevens fans,” Garfunkel said. “He was a sexy guy. Sensitivity with a bass voice. I should have thought of that.”

Garfunkel attracted fans not just due to his golden set of pipes but courtesy of his surprising ability to act. Garfunkel won acclaim for his extraordinary performance in the brilliant film “Carnal Knowledge.” Garfunkel more than held his own with such thespian heavyweights as Jack Nicholson and Candace Bergen.

Nicholson and Garfunkel scored critical acclaim for performances in 1980’s “Bad Timing.” “Not only did I enjoy being part of those films, I took it quite seriously,” Garfunkel said.

It’s not surprising that Garfunkel with all of his experiences penned an entertaining memoir, “What Is It All But Luminous: Notes from an Underground Man,” which hit shelves in 2017.

“It’s about the wonder of it all,” Garfunkel said. “It’s about my love life, music and, well, everything. It’s wild.”

Much like Bruce Springsteen’s exceptional memoir, “Born to Run,” much of what’s most fascinating about Garfunkel’s book is the nonmusic material. Garfunkel’s epic walks are touched on and it’s fascinating.

“I happened upon the walking thing when I took a freighter by myself to Japan,” Garfunkel said. “I brought a pair of socks and a paperback book and I wore a hat and off I went. but you do eccentric things when you’re a rock star. I bought clothes every other day and made it through Japan from East to West.”

Rock stars often live in a fortress of solitude but not Garfunkel, who has taken a big bite out of life.

Garfunkel has experienced so much in his extraordinary life. It’s been an eclectic existence for Garfunkel but he’s always returned to his first love which is music even though he’s no longer part of one of the most successful duos in pop music history.

“I’ve always loved what I do,” Garfunkel said. “It’s been amazing and the great thing is that it’s still going on.”

It all started with his voice which Garfunkel knew was special at an early age. “My parents could sing and the radio was on at an early age so I would sing,” Garfunkel said. “I figured out that I had a nice voice when I was about 5 years old. I could sound like the singers on the radio.”

But there are a lot of folks that can sing that no one ever hears. However, Simon was persistent and knew his songs were on a par with Garfunkel’s voice. The music industry agreed and Garfunkel never had to think about a job outside of the world of entertainment.

“I’m very fortunate,” Garfunkel said. “I could have done something else when it comes to a career but it never came to that and so I’ve enjoyed this wonderful life.”

Art Garfunkel

When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1

Where: The United Theater on Broadway, 929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles

Cost: $80 and $123

Info: 213-953-3680, unitedtheater.com