Art Garfunkel Jr. Remembers Don Everly: A Musical Connection Across Generations
When Art Garfunkel Jr. looks at Don Everly and his musical legacy, he sees a connection that goes far beyond pure music history. On August 21, 2021, Don Everly passed away at the age of 84. Five years later, the junior remembers a musician who, through his father Art Garfunkel, also became part of his own musical history. The connection to the legendary duo was established early on by Art Garfunkel Senior, who was strongly influenced by the brothers' famous harmonies in his own youth. Although the musicians belonged to the same generation, they were important role models. As a result, Art Garfunkel Jr. naturally grew up with these songs from childhood on.
Over the years, a musical tradition of its own developed from this family influence during the joint performances of father and son. Art Garfunkel Jr. made the classics of the Everly Brothers an integral part of the joint concert program. In the live performances, the two regularly presented various great successes of the Everly Brothers such as „Devoted to You“, „Take a Message to Mary“, and „Bye Bye Love“.
This musical connection finally reached its lasting highlight on the joint debut album, which was released under the name „Garfunkel & Garfunkel“ in November 2024. For this work, father and son recorded the Everly Brothers classic „Let It Be Me“ in the studio. Thus, the timeless music of the Everly Brothers now continues to live on in the next generation of the Garfunkel family. Art Garfunkel Jr. carries these pieces, just like the songs of his father, into the future with full respect.
For Art Garfunkel Jr., this legacy is something very personal that links the past with the present. Five years after the death of Don Everly, his music remains alive on stage – in the memories and in the joint interpretations of father and son, who now pass this musical memory on to the next generation. Because one thing is certain for Art Garfunkel Jr.: The music of the Everly Brothers, just like the life's work of his father, is of such imperishable quality that it will still reach people and be popular in millions of years.
