\u201cThe Sound of Silence\u201d was the breakthrough smash for Simon & Garfunkel. In 1965, it became the iconic pop-folk duo\u2019s initial chart-topper.<\/p>\n
However, there was another kind of sound of silence for Art Garfunkel. This type wasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a couple of extremely difficult years,\u201d Garfunkel said while calling from his Manhattan apartment. \u201cLosing a voice for Artie Garfunkel is a tragic thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s 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. \u201cI can\u2019t tell you how thankful I am,\u201d Garfunkel said. \u201cI\u2019m still very capable.\u201d<\/p>\n
The lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan, who hails from Queens, New York, is 84 and can still belt out such classics as \u201cThe Sound of Silence,\u201d \u201cThe Boxer\u201d and \u201cBridge Over Troubled Water.\u201d There is no one quite like Garfunkel, who is charming and self-deprecating.<\/p>\n
One of the highlights of the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction was Garfunkel\u2019s clever, funny and moving induction of Yusuf Islam, who performed as Cat Stevens.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the girls that I took out were Cat Stevens fans,\u201d Garfunkel said. \u201cHe was a sexy guy. Sensitivity with a bass voice. I should have thought of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u201cCarnal Knowledge.\u201d Garfunkel more than held his own with such thespian heavyweights as Jack Nicholson and Candace Bergen.<\/p>\n
Nicholson and Garfunkel scored critical acclaim for performances in 1980\u2019s \u201cBad Timing.\u201d \u201cNot only did I enjoy being part of those films, I took it quite seriously,\u201d Garfunkel said.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not surprising that Garfunkel with all of his experiences penned an entertaining memoir, \u201cWhat Is It All But Luminous: Notes from an Underground Man,\u201d which hit shelves in 2017.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about the wonder of it all,\u201d Garfunkel said. \u201cIt\u2019s about my love life, music and, well, everything. It\u2019s wild.\u201d<\/p>\n
Much like Bruce Springsteen\u2019s exceptional memoir, \u201cBorn to Run,\u201d much of what\u2019s most fascinating about Garfunkel\u2019s book is the nonmusic material. Garfunkel\u2019s epic walks are touched on and it\u2019s fascinating.<\/p>\n
\u201cI happened upon the walking thing when I took a freighter by myself to Japan,\u201d Garfunkel said. \u201cI 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\u2019re a rock star. I bought clothes every other day and made it through Japan from East to West.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rock stars often live in a fortress of solitude but not Garfunkel, who has taken a big bite out of life.<\/p>\n
Garfunkel has experienced so much in his extraordinary life. It\u2019s been an eclectic existence for Garfunkel but he\u2019s always returned to his first love which is music even though he\u2019s no longer part of one of the most successful duos in pop music history.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always loved what I do,\u201d Garfunkel said. \u201cIt\u2019s been amazing and the great thing is that it\u2019s still going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
It all started with his voice which Garfunkel knew was special at an early age. \u201cMy parents could sing and the radio was on at an early age so I would sing,\u201d Garfunkel said. \u201cI figured out that I had a nice voice when I was about 5 years old. I could sound like the singers on the radio.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s voice. The music industry agreed and Garfunkel never had to think about a job outside of the world of entertainment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very fortunate,\u201d Garfunkel said. \u201cI could have done something else when it comes to a career but it never came to that and so I\u2019ve enjoyed this wonderful life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Art Garfunkel<\/p>\n
When: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1<\/p>\n
Where: The United Theater on Broadway, 929 S. Broadway, Los Angeles<\/p>\n
Cost: $80 and $123<\/p>\n