By Francesa Billington, Correspondent
PRINCETON—Before singer and poet Art Garfunkel performed a sold-out concert in Richardson Auditorium, Princeton student Ryan Ozminkowski roamed around the audience asking what Garfunkel meant to them.
“The responses were inspiring,” said Mr. Ozminkowski, a member of Princeton Tonight, the campus broadcast television show that put on the show in collaboration with the the university. “For so many he was their childhood. His song was playing when someone met her best friend. His writings helped one person get through some really dark times.”
Mr. Garfunkel, known for his solo work in addition to his accomplishments with musical partner Paul Simon, performed and spoke about his career in Richardson Auditorium Dec. 13, marking the 50th anniversary of Simon and Garfunkel’s first concert at Princeton in Dillon Gym.
“I do this because it’s an addiction,” Mr. Garfunkel said to his audience of Princeton students and community members. “I love to sing. I can’t stop it.”
Mr. Garfunkel spent the fist half of the concert singing alongside guitar player Tab Laven, who has been on a world tour with Mr. Garfunkel since 2013. They started the concert with “The Boxer” and played other songs interspersed with stories from Mr. Garfunkel about his life as a musician. He also read several short excerpts from upcoming book, which will be released next September.
Mr. Garfunkel took questions for the second half of the event. A Princeton Tonight moderator had planned to go on stage during the Q&A, but later decided it would be best to let Mr. Garfunkel lead the session himself.
One audience member asked if Mr. Garfunkel might reunite with Mr. Simon, to which he replied no, that it was not very likely at this point. He also recounted several concerts throughout his career and his favorite part of performing—the moment right before going on stage when the adrenaline kicks in.
He closed the concert with “Sound of Silence,” which drew tears from audience members.
“I’m so happy Princeton Tonight was able to bring him here and give those people a chance to talk with their role model,” said Mr. Ozminkowski. “At the end of the day, we just want to make people happy, and I think this event certainly helped with that.
