Concert Details
Artist: Simon and Garfunkel
Concert Name: The Concert in Central Park
Date: September 19, 1981
Venue: Great Lawn, Central Park, New York City
Attendance: Estimated 500,000
Background & Production Notes
On September 19, 1981, legendary folk-rock duo Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited for a massive free benefit concert on the Great Lawn of New York City's Central Park. Organized to raise awareness and vital funds for the maintenance and restoration of the deteriorating park, the historic event drew an estimated 500,000 attendees.
Backed by an exceptional eleven-piece ensemble of studio musicians, the duo delivered transcendent live renditions of their timeless catalog alongside select solo works. The concert captured the peak of their vocal harmony and cemented its place as one of the largest and most culturally significant live music events in American history.
Setlist Highlights & Performance Style
The unforgettable setlist seamlessly blended acoustic classics like "Mrs. Robinson", "Homeward Bound", "Scarborough Fair", and "The Sound of Silence" with energized full-band arrangements. Solo highlights included Garfunkel's emotive delivery of "A Heart in New York" and Simon's dynamic performances of "Late in the Evening" and "Still Crazy After All These Years".
Fun Facts & Trivia
- Drew an estimated crowd of half a million people, making it one of the largest concert attendances in history.
- Proceeds directly funded a $3 million park restoration initiative for Central Park.
- Marked the official reunion of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel for the first time since their 1970 split.
- Spawned a globally acclaimed live double-album release that achieved double-platinum certification.
Spotlight
Simon and Garfunkel — Iconic American folk-rock duo celebrated for intricate vocal harmonies, poetic lyricism, and defining the sound of a generation.