Art Garfunkel
Voice of Generations
Official website
Artie Garr
Even before the later success story of Simon & Garfunkel, Art Garfunkel tried his hand as a solo artist under the name Artie Garr during his studies at Columbia University. Between 1959 and 1961, he released two singles—Dream Alone / Beat Love on Warwick Records and Forgive Me / Private World on Octavia Records—with a musical orientation between pop and doo-wop.
The page guides through this early phase of Art Garfunkel's solo career and illuminates the creation of the stage name as well as the two releases. A complementary photo gallery shows historical recordings and documents from that time, before subsequently examining the significance of these early solo activities for his further musical development.
Background
Even before Simon & Garfunkel became one of the most important duos in music history, Art Garfunkel first attempted a solo career – under the stage name Artie Garr.
While studying at Columbia University, he released two singles with his own compositions. The style ranged between pop and doo-wop – entirely in the spirit of the late 1950s.
The name Artie Garr was a catchy variation of his real name and was intended to facilitate his transition to radio and record stores.
Releases as Artie Garr
1959 · Warwick Records Single: Dream Alone / Beat Love
1961 · Octavia Records Single: Forgive Me / Private World
End of the Phase
The recordings under the name Artie Garr went largely unnoticed. Garfunkel ended this phase in 1961 and initially concentrated on his studies again.
In 1962, he reunited musically with Paul Simon.
From 1964 onwards, the two performed under their real names as Simon & Garfunkel – the beginning of a global career.
Significance
The brief period as Artie Garr reveals a rarely discussed, yet artistically valuable, period in Art Garfunkel's life.
This was the time when his first solo compositions were created, his first recording studio experiences were made, and he clearly determined to forge his own musical path.
Although the singles achieved little recognition, they document his transition from a youthful pop experiment to a mature musician with a unique voice.