Plenty of couples, romantic or not, have persevered through times of trouble. Simon and Garfunkel were no exception, but the drama was always looming over.
Simon spoke of one such incident in an interview: “At intermission, Art comes up to me and says, ‘You tried to make me look like a fool on “The Boxer.”’ I said, ‘No, Artie, it was a mistake. Mistakes happen, just like you forgot to do, “Life I Love you.”‘ That’s when he looked me in the eye and said, ‘I didn’t forget. I just wanted to see what it feels like to be made a fool of.’”
The Smoking Situation
While the two were working on the album – and while it was still a duo album – more problems arose. These two never stopped fighting. Simon thought it was normal for the album to be a duo, but Garfunkel presented problems. He refused to rehearse the songs beforehand and instead played them off the cuff in the studio.
He also refused to give up his long-standing smoking habits, despite Simon's repeated requests. In addition, Simon recording his 1986 album "Graceland" prevented Garfunkel from working with engineer Roy Halee, which only increased the tension.
A Tour Full of Problems
When the eighties saw success for Simon's additional solo albums, "Graceland", and "The Rhythm of the Saints", the two found their ways back to each other. However, it was just for a final farewell tour. Expectedly, things were tough.
Joseph Rascoff, Simon's business manager, wrote the book "Paul Simon: The Life" where he described the tour. Rascoff said that they never came to blows as they quarreled, but more than once he had to step between the two to try and defuse potentially violent situations. The fights only got as far as shoving, but that was far enough.
Normal Friendship
Though the two were nothing but nerves and angry words during the times of tour or recording together, somehow, someway, the two remained friends. In fact, they got on well. Simon has even said that it was like they were ten years old when not actually working together.
Building the right kind of relationship in business or artistic partnerships takes a lot of time and thought. Though these two had a laundry list of problems to deal with, them being able to remain friends (though there were plenty of bumps in that road as well) is inspiring.
Time Rolls On
The two aged. Some might say they mellowed a little. Many asked if they would ever reunite again. After an experience at the Grammys, Simon revealed that a tour might be in the works.
In October of 2003 they set off on the Old Friends in Concert tour, and to everyone's surprise, they seemed to have genuine warmth together. Both men were now solidly in their sixties. Perhaps the saying is true — time heals all wounds. Or, maybe, tragedy + time = comedy. Who knows why, but one way or another, the tour was a big success.