Simon and Garfunkel Draw 16,000 to SPAC

by Marilyn Nason, The Post-Star, August 20, 1968

‘Marvelous Voices’

An all-time high of over 16,000 turned out for the fantastic concert of Simon and Garfunkel last night at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the record-breaking crowd was warranted.

These are two extremely talented young men, who take their work seriously, have marvelous voices and a concern for their audiences.

When a few—and, fortunately, it remained but a very few—of the thousands absolutely covering every inch of the lawn began to shout at the duo, they ignored it at first, then finally suggested “turn off that noise,” adding “there’s always a mental eunuch in the crowd.” The applause at this soon quieted the ill-mannered few, with the concert one of the best in the three-year history of SPAC.

They sang all their hits, opening and closing the program with “Mrs. Robinson” from”The Graduate.” Included were “Homeward Bound,” “Overs,” “I Am a Rock.” “Dangling Conversation,” “Richard Cory” and the particularly poignant “Bookends.”

Like most of their songs which tell a simple story, “Bookends” recites a day with two old friends, in their 70’s, sitting on a park bench.

When they completed their concert, the standing ovation was thunderous and they graciously acknowledged with a handful of encores, before repeating “Mrs, Robinson” as the house lights came up.

Their voices are extremely clear and true, especially noticeable in the quiet close harmony for which they are famous. No screeching, no overdone amplification with multiple speakers to augment limited talent for these young men.