Art Garfunkel Reflects on Touring at 83, Reconciling with Paul Simon, and Past Life Choices

‘Why not try to be the best in the world, just for the fun of it?’ Art Garfunkel on a rich, restless life – and reconciling with Paul Simon

He taught maths and walked across Europe, trying to leave his demons behind. As he goes back on tour aged 83, the folk-pop legend explains how he came back to singing As Art Garfunkel is keen to point out, “I am a singer – there, use that as the title of your article” – but he was never just a singer. “I’ve been an actor. I am a writer,” he continues. “I’ve walked across countries, taken freighters across oceans. I’ve read the dictionary. I’ve read two books a month for 60 years: Darwin, Hero...

By Dave Simpson