5 Shocking Facts About Simon & Garfunkel's Central Park Reunion That Led To Another Breakup

Forty-four years after the historic night, the sheer scale and emotional weight of the Simon & Garfunkel reunion concert in Central Park on September 19, 1981, remains one of the most significant events in music history. On that Saturday evening, over half a million people—one of the largest concert crowds ever—descended upon the Great Lawn of New York City to witness the legendary folk-rock duo perform together again after more than a decade of acrimonious separation.

As of December 10, 2025, the concert's legacy is enjoying a fresh resurgence, often highlighted as the dramatic culmination of "The Simon & Garfunkel Story" touring show, which continues to bring their iconic sound to new audiences. But beyond the massive attendance and the memorable album, the story of this reunion is a complex tale of musical magic, strained friendship, and the inevitable clash of two colossal solo careers. This is the deep dive into the 1981 performance that changed Central Park forever—and the relationship between Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

The Architects of the Reunion: Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel Profiles

The Central Park concert was not just a show; it was a highly public, high-stakes attempt to mend a partnership that had fractured in 1970 following the release of their masterpiece album, Bridge Over Troubled Water. To understand the tension and triumph of the 1981 reunion, one must first look at the paths of its two stars.

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• Paul Simon (Born: October 13, 1941, Newark, New Jersey):
  • Role: Principal songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist.
  • Post-Breakup Career: Achieved massive critical and commercial success with solo albums like There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973) and the groundbreaking, Grammy-winning Graceland (1986). His solo career was arguably more commercially successful than the duo's later work.
  • Central Park Context: Approached the reunion with a strong sense of his own solo identity, which became a source of conflict during the subsequent tour.
  • Key Solo Hits Performed: "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," "Still Crazy After All These Years," and "Late in the Evening."
• Art Garfunkel (Born: November 5, 1941, Forest Hills, New York):
  • Role: Lead vocalist (known for his distinctive, ethereal tenor) and occasional actor.
  • Post-Breakup Career: Focused on acting in films like Carnal Knowledge (1971) and Bad Timing (1980), alongside a successful solo music career with hits like "All I Know" and "Bright Eyes."
  • Central Park Context: Saw the reunion as a chance to recapture the magic of the duo and potentially restart the partnership, a hope that clashed with Simon's vision.
  • Key Solo Hits Performed: "A Heart in New York" (a tribute to the city) and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (which he sang lead on).

The Concert in Central Park: A Record-Breaking Spectacle

The event was organized as a benefit to raise awareness and funds for the restoration and maintenance of Central Park, which had fallen into a state of disrepair. The free concert was a massive logistical undertaking, drawing a crowd that stretched across the Great Lawn and beyond.

1. The Crowd: Half a Million Strong and the Logistical Nightmare

Estimates place the attendance at between 500,000 and 750,000 people, making it one of the largest free concerts in history. The sheer density of the crowd created a mesmerizing visual spectacle, captured vividly in the subsequent television broadcast and live album, The Concert in Central Park. The audience's response was a testament to the enduring power of their music, proving that the duo's songs had become the soundtrack for an entire generation. The concert itself raised approximately $51,000 for the park.

2. The Setlist: A Blend of Duo Classics and Solo Triumphs

The 21-song setlist was meticulously crafted to satisfy the reunion nostalgia while acknowledging the successful solo careers of both artists. This was a crucial element of the performance, as it demonstrated that the duo could integrate their separate musical identities.

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• Iconic Duo Hits: The set included essential tracks like "The Sound of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," "America," and a powerful, emotionally charged rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
• Solo Material Integration: Paul Simon performed several of his solo hits, including "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" and "Still Crazy After All These Years." Art Garfunkel contributed his solo work, most notably "A Heart in New York." This integration showed a willingness to share the stage, even if the underlying tensions remained.
• The Opening and Closing: The concert opened with "Mrs. Robinson" and closed with a powerful encore of "The Boxer," followed by the emotional "Old Friends / Bookends" and a reprise of "The Sound of Silence."

The Aftermath: The Reunion That Couldn't Last

The massive success of the Central Park concert was immediately followed by a lucrative world tour, suggesting that the reunion was permanent. However, the same deep-seated issues that led to their initial 1970 breakup quickly resurfaced, proving that musical harmony does not always translate to personal peace.

3. The Failed Album and The Strained Tour

Following the concert, the duo attempted to record a new studio album together. This effort quickly devolved due to creative differences and personal friction. The resulting material was eventually released as Paul Simon's solo album, Hearts and Bones, with Garfunkel’s vocals largely removed. The subsequent tour, though successful, was reportedly fraught with tension, with the two artists barely speaking to each other off-stage.

4. The Clash of Colossal Egos and Creative Control

The initial breakup was largely due to Paul Simon's desire for creative independence and Art Garfunkel's feeling that his contributions were undervalued. The 1981 reunion failed for similar reasons. Simon had become a major solo artist, accustomed to full creative control, while Garfunkel sought a true partnership. The dynamic had shifted irreversibly; they were two solo stars trying to fit back into a duo mold that no longer suited their individual ambitions.

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5. The Central Park Concert's Enduring Legacy and Cultural Impact

Despite the short-lived nature of the reunion, the Central Park concert cemented their status as cultural icons and left an indelible mark on New York City. It served as a template for massive benefit concerts, proving the power of music to rally public support for civic causes. The live album and film, The Concert in Central Park, became a commercial success, introducing their music to a new generation and ensuring that the memory of their magical, if brief, re-partnership would live on.

Today, the Central Park concert remains the definitive moment of their on-again, off-again history, a stunning flash of brilliance that perfectly captured the enduring appeal of their songs, even as it foreshadowed the inevitable end of their attempt to revive the partnership. It was a beautiful, monumental success that ultimately paved the way for another necessary separation.