Simon & Garfunkel, Bridge Over Troubled Water and a German Charts Legacy
Published on 09/03/2026 at 08:16 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Simon & Garfunkel remain one of the defining folk-rock duos of the 1960s, and their impact is still clearly visible in Germany’s official chart history decades after they split in 1970. According to Germany’s Offizielle Deutsche Charts database, their classic album Bridge Over Troubled Water reached No. 1 on the German album chart in April 1970 and stayed there for 14 weeks, while compilations such as Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits continued to appear for years afterwards.
How Bridge Over Troubled Water Reached Germany
Bridge Over Troubled Water is described by the duo’s official site as their final studio album and their greatest success, released on January 26, 1970 through Columbia Records with songs like The Boxer and Cecilia alongside the title track. Official album notes note that it marked the peak of their recording career.
Germany’s album database shows that Bridge Over Troubled Water entered the country’s official album chart on April 15, 1970 and climbed to No. 1, remaining on the chart for 14 weeks at that time. Offizielle Deutsche Charts listing also records that singles like El Condor Pasa and Cecilia reached No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in the German singles chart in 1970, underlining how strongly the duo connected with German listeners.
German Chart Numbers and Greatest Hits
One of the clearest indicators of Simon & Garfunkel’s long-term appeal in Germany is the chart run of Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits. The Offizielle Deutsche Charts database reports that this compilation entered the German albums chart on September 15, 1972, achieved a peak position of No. 6 and remained in the Top 100 for an impressive 166 weeks, effectively more than three years on the chart. German chart history highlights that this is one of their most enduring releases in the country.
International certification data add another layer of context. A summary of Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits notes that the album reached No. 6 on the German album chart and later earned a 2× Platinum certification from BVMI, corresponding to 1,500,000 units shipped in Germany. Certification overview shows that the same compilation also achieved Diamond status in France and multi-platinum awards in several other countries, but the German double-platinum mark is particularly relevant for fans based in Germany.
All news and background on Simon & Garfunkel
For more updates and background on Simon & Garfunkel and how their music continues to resonate, you can explore further reporting and analyses.
What Defines Their Sound and Albums
Simon & Garfunkel’s official biography describes them as a duo whose harmony vocals and literate songwriting grew out of early Everly Brothers influences and the 1960s folk revival, later absorbing elements of folk rock as producers added electric instruments to songs like The Sound of Silence. Official biography traces their path from the 1964 debut album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. through Sounds of Silence, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme and Bookends to Bridge Over Troubled Water as a sequence of increasingly sophisticated studio works.
Where the Act Stands Today
Simon & Garfunkel themselves are not touring together as of 2026; there is no officially announced concert by the duo, and their catalog continues to live primarily through reissues and tribute productions. For now there is no announced live date under the Simon & Garfunkel name.
Simon & Garfunkel at a Glance
- Act: Simon & Garfunkel
- Genre: Folk rock, pop
- Origin: Queens, New York, USA
- Active: 1963-1970 (with later reunion periods)
- Lineup: Paul Simon (vocals, guitar, songwriting), Art Garfunkel (vocals)
- Label: Columbia Records
- Key works: Sounds of Silence (1966), Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966), Bookends (1968), Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
- Current album/single: Catalog title Bridge Over Troubled Water, originally released January 26, 1970
- Charts / certifications: Bridge Over Troubled Water No. 1 album in Germany from April 15, 1970; Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits double Platinum in Germany (1,500,000 units)
- Next live date: no announced live date at present
Frequently Asked Questions about Simon & Garfunkel
How successful was Bridge Over Troubled Water in Germany?
Germany’s official charts list Bridge Over Troubled Water as a No. 1 album that entered the chart on April 15, 1970 and stayed for 14 weeks, marking it as a major success with German audiences.
What is the chart record of Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits in Germany?
The compilation Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits reached No. 6 on the German albums chart in 1972 and remained in the Top 100 for 166 weeks, later receiving a 2× Platinum certification for 1,500,000 units.
Are Simon & Garfunkel currently touring?
As of 2026, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are not touring as Simon & Garfunkel, and no official concerts under the duo’s name have been announced; fans mainly encounter their songs via recordings and tribute shows.
