5 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Simon & Garfunkel's Central Park Concert That Still Matter In 2025

Forty-four years later, the legend of Simon & Garfunkel’s free reunion concert in Central Park remains one of the most iconic moments in music history. Held on the Great Lawn in New York City on September 19, 1981, this single event transcended a simple performance, becoming a cultural touchstone that defined an era of folk-rock and benefit concerts. As of December 2025, the concert’s legacy continues to inspire, not just for the half-million fans who attended, but for its lasting impact on the preservation of New York’s most famous park.

This article dives deep into the facts, the spectacular setlist, the all-star band, and the lasting cultural significance of "The Concert in Central Park," revealing why this event—a reunion after an acrimonious 11-year split—still resonates with audiences worldwide.

The Essential Biography: Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel

The story of Simon & Garfunkel is a complex narrative of friendship, musical genius, and dramatic separation. Their Central Park performance was a temporary, yet monumental, chapter in their careers.

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• Paul Simon (Born: October 13, 1941, Newark, New Jersey): The primary songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist. After the duo's initial 1970 split, Simon launched a highly successful solo career, exploring world music influences with landmark albums like *There Goes Rhymin' Simon* and the globally acclaimed *Graceland*.
• Art Garfunkel (Born: November 5, 1941, Forest Hills, New York): The distinctive tenor vocalist. His solo career included hits like "All I Know" and "Bright Eyes." Known for his intricate harmonies and work in film, including roles in *Catch-22* and *Carnal Knowledge*.
• Duo Career (1964–1970): Rose to fame with albums like *Sounds of Silence*, *Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme*, and the Grammy-winning *Bridge Over Troubled Water*. Their music defined the folk-rock movement of the 1960s.
• The Reunion (1981): The Central Park concert was intended as a one-off benefit to raise funds for the restoration of the severely neglected park. The success led to a brief but ultimately failed attempt at a new studio album and a subsequent world tour.

The Staggering Scale: Half a Million Fans and a Park Restored

The sheer logistics and attendance figures of the 1981 Central Park show are what place it firmly in the annals of music legend. It was a free concert, but its purpose was anything but casual—it was a crucial fundraiser for the City of New York and the Central Park Conservancy.

The concert took place on the Great Lawn, the heart of Central Park, which at the time was in a state of serious disrepair due to decades of underfunding and neglect. The event was a massive public relations and financial success for the park's restoration efforts.

The Record-Shattering Crowd

Estimates for the crowd size range from 500,000 to over 600,000 people, making it one of the largest concert attendances in history. The crowd stretched so far back that those at the periphery could only hear the music, not see the stage. This immense turnout demonstrated the enduring power and nostalgia for the duo's music, 11 years after their highly publicized breakup.

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Financial and Cultural Impact

The concert and the subsequent album, film, and video releases generated substantial revenue for the city and the park. The concert itself raised approximately $51,000, but the larger impact was the awareness it created, which helped launch the Central Park Conservancy into a successful fundraising and management organization. This single night of music is directly credited with helping to save and restore the park to its current pristine condition.

The Legendary Setlist and The All-Star Backing Band

The 21-song setlist was a perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary relevance, cleverly weaving in hits from their duo era with successful solo material from Paul Simon. This inclusion was key to the concert's unique flavor and its ability to bridge their past with their present.

A Mix of Old Friends and Solo Hits

The show opened with the iconic "Mrs. Robinson" and included all the fan favorites. Crucially, it featured Paul Simon’s solo hits, which had been commercially successful during the duo's separation. Art Garfunkel’s solo work was also represented, though less prominently.

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• Duo Classics: "The Sound of Silence," "Homeward Bound," "America," "Scarborough Fair," "The Boxer," and the emotional climax, "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
• Paul Simon Solo Material: Hits like "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," "Still Crazy After All These Years," "Late in the Evening," and "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" were seamlessly integrated into the performance.
• The Encore: The concert closed with a double encore featuring "Old Friends / Bookends Theme," "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)," and a second rendition of "The Sound of Silence."

The Unsung Heroes: Paul Simon’s Dream Band

To deliver the complex arrangements, Simon & Garfunkel were backed by a phenomenal 11-piece band, many of whom were Paul Simon's regular session and touring musicians. This group of world-class players provided a rich, contemporary sound that elevated the folk-rock classics.

Key personnel included:

• Steve Gadd (Drums): Widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time, his presence added a sophisticated, jazz-fusion edge.
• Richard Tee (Keyboards): A legendary session musician whose soulful playing was instrumental to the sound.
• Anthony Jackson (Bass Guitar): His distinctive bass work anchored the entire performance.
• Pete Carr and David Brown (Guitar): Provided the necessary depth and texture alongside Simon’s acoustic work.

The Album and Film: A Double-Platinum Legacy

The live album, *The Concert in Central Park*, released on Warner Bros. Records in February 1982, was an immediate commercial success. It reached double-platinum status and peaked in the Top 10 of the Billboard charts, solidifying the concert's legendary status long after the last fan left the Great Lawn.

A single from the album, a cover of the Everly Brothers' "Wake Up Little Susie," was released and reached No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100, proving that the duo still had commercial appeal. The success of the album and the subsequent HBO broadcast and video release were the primary financial drivers that channeled funds and attention back to the Central Park restoration project.

The Complicated Aftermath and Enduring Status in 2025

While the Central Park concert was a triumphant artistic and commercial success, it did not lead to a permanent reconciliation. The duo's long-standing, famously unsteady relationship continued, and a planned studio album following the concert was ultimately shelved, with Paul Simon releasing the material as his solo album, *Hearts and Bones*.

Despite the renewed tension that followed, the 1981 performance remains the definitive testament to their collective genius. As we look toward the 44th anniversary in 2025, the concert is celebrated not just as a musical event, but as a historic moment for New York City. It is a powerful reminder that music can be a catalyst for civic change, proving that even a temporary reunion can create an eternal legacy.

The magic of that night—the half-million voices singing along to "Bridge Over Troubled Water"—is now preserved forever in the live album and film, ensuring that the sound of silence will never truly fade from the Great Lawn.