Art Garfunkel has hit out at Paul Simon, calling him a jerk, for leaving Simon and Garfunkel back in 1970.

The musical duo had a string of hits in the 1960s, predominantly written by Paul and showcasing Art’s beautiful voice, before going their separate ways in 1970 and have since fallen out.

Art, 73, has given a new interview to the Daily Telegraph in which he said that he had only meant for that hiatus to be a short one and admitted he resented Paul for walking away for good.

Simon and Garfunkel in 1981 (AP)
Simon and Garfunkel in 1981 (AP)

Art revealed he felt sorry for Paul at school because of his height, and he offered him love and friendship as a compensation.

“And that compensation gesture has created a monster,” he said.

Speaking about their split he said: ““It was very strange. Nothing I would have done. I want to open up about this. I don’t want to say any anti Paul Simon things, but it seems very perverse to not enjoy the glory and walk away from it instead. Crazy. What I would have done is take a rest from Paul, because he was getting on my nerves. The jokes had run dry.
But a rest of a year was all I needed.”

Simon and Garfunkel performing at a tribute to Simon in 2007 (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)
Simon and Garfunkel performing at a tribute to Simon in 2007 (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

Art added: “How can you walk away from this lucky place on top of the world, Paul? What’s going on with you, you idiot? How could you let that go, jerk?”

The duo famously performed an awkward reunion concert in New York in 1981, and it has long since been rumoured they may get back together for one last live tour.

Art said: ““Will I do another tour with Paul? Well, that’s quite do-able. When we get together, with his guitar, it’s a delight to both of our ears. A little bubble comes over us and it seems effortless. We blend. So, as far as this half is concerned, I would say, ‘Why not, while we’re still alive?’

“But I’ve been in that same place for decades.”