Art Garfunkel says Paul Simon was a 'jerk' for splitting up duo, I 'created a monster'

Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon might have broken up in 1971 and even reunited several times in the past few decades, but that doesn’t mean that Garfunkel is over it. In a new interview, the singer still had a few jabs to deliver to Simon.

Since Garfunkel, 73, is set to tour the U.K. this fall, he sat down with The Guardian for an interview. The subject did turn to the break-up of Simon & Garfunkel. The duo split just after the release of Bridge Over Troubled Water, which became the best-selling album ever at that time. Why did they quit? It’s a question that still haunts Garfunkel, since he says he wouldn’t have called it quits.

“It was very strange. Nothing I would have done. I want to open up about this,” Garfunkel said. “I don’t want to say any anti Paul Simon things, but it seems very perverse to not enjoy the glory and walk away from it instead. Crazy. What I would have done is take a rest from Paul, because he was getting on my nerves. The jokes had run dry.”

Garfunkel said that he only wanted to rest for a year and take a trip around Europe. But it turned out that Simon wanted much more, and he went on to have a successful solo career.

“How can you walk away from this lucky place on top of the world, Paul? What’s going on with you, you idiot? How could you let that go, jerk?” Garfunkel said.

On one hand, Garfunkel is open to touring with Simon, 73, again. But on the other, he still takes swipes at Simon, even going as far as considering the height difference between the two as an issue. To help make up for Simon’s height, Garfunkel offered him friendship. “And that compensation gesture has created a monster. End of interview,” Garfunkel said.

Simon still tours, even performing with Sting on a world tour earlier this year.