Art Garfunkel On Paul Simon: “I Created A Monster”

Art Garfunkel had some choice words for Paul Simon, his longtime friend and bandmate, in a new interview, calling Simon a “monster.”

Garfunkel Says Simon “Ran Away With A Lot Of The Glory”

In a recent interview with the U.K.’s Telegraph, Garfunkel opened up about his tense relationship with Simon leading up to and following the breakup of their duo, Simon & Garfunkel. Simon & Garfunkel split up in 1970 after the release of their fifth and most successful album, Bridge Over Troubled Water. And, while the two have gone on a few reunion tours since then, their relationship has always been fraught with rumors of discord.

Garfunkel makes no attempt to hide his bitterness towards Simon in the new interview, though he also spoke of Simon as a great friend and co-worker. The singer, known for his high range, did not write any songs – all the credits went to Simon – and he still holds resentment against Simon for quitting the band when he did. Garfunkel revealed that he did not want to disband Simon & Garfunkel, but only needed a bit of a break from Simon. In fact, he called Simon’s decision to walk away from their duo at the height of their success “perverse” and “crazy.”

He also likened his professional standing with Simon to the dynamic of The Beatles, recalling an interaction with George Harrison, during which they bonded over the famous ‘Pauls’ in their lives.

“George came up to me at a party once and said, ‘my Paul [McCartney] is to me what your Paul is to you.’ He meant that psychologically they had the same effect on us. The Pauls sidelined us. I think George felt suppressed by Paul and I think that’s what he saw with me and my Paul. Here’s the truth: McCartney was a helluva music man who gave the band its energy, but he also ran away with a lot of the glory,” Garfunkel said.

Despite any resentments or hurt feelings, Garfunkel said he would absolutely be willing to tour with Simon again, saying, “When we get together, with his guitar, it’s a delight to both of our ears. A little bubble comes over us and it seems effortless.”

However, at the end of the interview, when asked whether Simon suffers from a Napoleon complex, Garfunkel answered, “I think you’re on to something. I would say so, yes.”

He then reportedly spoke about feeling bad for Simon as kids in school because of his height, suggesting that was part of the reason they became friends. “And that compensation gesture has created a monster. End of interview.”