The legendary duo got into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. During the induction, Garfunkel thanked Simon, calling him “the person who most enriched my life by putting those songs through me.” Simon responded with: “Arthur and I agree about almost nothing. But it’s true, I have enriched his life quite a bit.”
The duo performed three songs at the Hall and then left without speaking to each other. Thankfully, not long after this, their relationship thawed before a long, sold-out tour including a 21-date sold-out run.
A Partnership Once Again
Somehow, someway, their relationship took a turn for the better. Maybe they realized petty differences weren't worth losing a friendship almost as old as they were, or maybe they found ways to work past them. They seemed like old pals again, and for some shows, they even invited their musical inspiration from all the way back, the Everly Brothers.
Rumors fly that it took long talks to smooth out some of the problems that plagued their relationship, but were able to come together for a long 2009 tour that took them around the world to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
An Evolving Musical Style
Over their long career, the duo played with plenty of different musical styles, moving from a basic folk-rock sound to add elements of Latin music, gospel music, rock, and even R&B. According to "Rolling Stone", this diverse music struck a chord among lonely, alienated young adults near the end of the decade.
Their clean sound and muted lyricism lost them cool-points during the psychedelic music periods of the sixties and seventies. Still, their music has lasted much longer. They were also much more conservative musically, which made them the perfect gateway act to the weirder aspects of the genre.
Simon's Solo Inclusion
Simon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 as a solo artist. It was during the time his friendship with Garfunkel was at a low point following an acrimonious decade.
Yet, Simon had kind words during his speech at the Hall: “I regret the ending of our friendship. I hope that someday before we die we will make peace with each other.” He paused for a moment. And then: “No rush.”
Songs That Can Wound
Simon and Garfunkel used their stage to jab at a number of deserving people. “A Simple Desultory Philippic” takes a shot at Robert McNamara, the Secretary of Defense under JFK and LBJ, who increased America's involvement in the Vietnam War. “Blessed” attacks Christians who pay lip-service to dogma without understanding it.
“The Big Bright Green Pleasure Machine” is a parody of advertising, and even “The Boxer” was thought to be an attack on Bob Dylan, though Simon has said it isn't true (which didn't stop Dylan from covering the song and returning the salvo to the duo).