On September 19th, 1981, Simon & Garfunkel reunited for ‘The Concert in Central Park.’ It was released as an album in 1982, and it was the first live album for the duo. The concert was free, and over 50,000 people were in attendance.
The opening shot is an aerial view of Central Park. A giant stage and huge towering speakers outline the scene. The two legendary singers are center stage listening to the applause. As soon as Paul Simon hits the opening guitar strums to ‘Homeward Bound,’ the audience roars. Paul sings the opening line of the verse, and then Garfunkel joins in on the second line with the harmony.
By the first chorus, the band enters, and the audience is clapping along. The camera stays on Simon and Garfunkel the entire clip providing a close-up of the two men singing with their incredible blend.
Near the end of the performance, the camera view changes to behind the stage. We are treated to a glimpse of the vast crowd. The lights are mounted on scaffolding that surrounds the speaker towers.
The crowd goes wild as the song ends. Simon and Garfunkel take a bow to acknowledge the outpouring of love. It is an iconic moment in music history that showcases the fabulous duo.
The album went on to great commercial success peaking at number 6 on the Billboard album charts. It was certified double platinum and featured the duo’s last Top 40 hit. The song was a cover of the Everly Brothers’ hit, ‘Wake Up Little Susie.’
The concert was a huge success, and proceeds went toward maintenance in the park. Central Park was deteriorating after budget cuts and lowered municipal funding. The historical event helped the park and gave us all one more chance to enjoy Simon & Garfunkel’s biggest hits live.
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