Spotlight Artist: Simon and Garfunkel

Every weekday between 1 and 5pm we play tracks from our #spotlightartist. They’re an artist with a body of work which has stood the test of time. We’ll play the hits – but also some deep cuts. Listen ad-free through New Zealand via @tunein at https://goo.gl/VL6m3NS

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel both grew up in Forest Hills, Queens, New York just blocks away from each other. They became friends in 1953 and wrote their first song in 1956. Initially they recorded under the name Tom & Jerry, releasing “Hey Schoolgirl” in 1957.

They continued recording, and after graduating from University released their debut as Simon and Garfunkel, Wednesday Morning, 3A.M. Initially not a big seller, a remix of “The Sound of Silence” began receiving radio play, eventually topping the Hot 100. From here through to 1970 the duo recorded a total of five studio albums, along with the soundtrack to the film The Graduate.

Although they grew apart, they went on to solo careers, in Paul Simon’s case extremely successful. We’ll enjoy a range of their music as a duo this week in our Spotlight Artist spot.