The Simon & Garfunkel Story, a Delightful Musical Journey

Travelling Stage Show Recaptures History of The  Famed Folk Rock Duo

By: Jeff Walker, Entertainment Review

From their humble beginnings as the teenage twosome Tom & Jerry to their meteoric rise in the late 1960’s as an Grammy Award winning folk rock duo, the critically acclaimed musical show ‘The Simon & Garfunkel Story‘ chronicles the success story of childhood friends Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

Seen in 50 countries worldwide over the past several years, the much talked about show played to nearly 1000 appreciative fans Friday (March 11th) at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Two impeccable performers backed by state of the art video projection, incredible lighting and a live band brought The Simon & Garfunkel Story and all its glory to life in Charleston.

Although it enjoyed just one night in the Holy City, it was an epic event, taking the mostly baby boomer audience back more than 60 years featuring many of their Top 40 hits, such as Mrs. Robinson, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair, The Boxer, The Sound Of Silence and many more.

Beginning with their appreciation of early rock n’ roll pioneers including the Everly Brothers, to their introduction into the Greenwich Village folk scene and the psychedelic era, ‘The Simon & Garfunkel Story’ displays how the duo navigated the everchanging musical and political landscape of the late 1950’s and 1960’s.

Although Simon & Garfunkel’s initial chart success lasted all of five years before they embarked on successful solo careers in the 1970’s, the travelling show culminates in their 1981 ‘Concert in Central Park’ which saw the duo re-unite before a half million fans.

With a capable four piece band behind them and a oversized video screen displaying black & white images of yesteryear, the two main performers (Taylor Bloom & Samuel-Vincent Aubuchon) who resembled the duo in look and mannerism provided intimate back stories on Simon and Garfunkel’s musical journey. While the stage performance revisits many of their 15 top 40 hits, the first half of the show concentrates on several of their lesser known album cuts showcasing Paul’s introspective songwriting skills.

Given their age (both 80) and their fragile history it’s unlikely Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel will ever grace the stage together again. However, fans of the famed folk rock duo can delight in tribute shows such as ‘The Simon & Garfunkel Story’ which provide prolific time capsules beginning with their first single ‘Hey Schoolgirl’ as ‘Tom & Jerry’ during their teenage years to the shows closing number ‘The Boxer’ which might reflect on the iconic duos staying power and their influence on the baby boomer generation.

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