British audiences hoping to catch Art Garfunkel on his What A Wonderful World tour will have to wait a little longer. Rehearsals for the four-date run ground to a halt when the singer received an unexpected diagnosis of a respiratory infection, forcing a temporary withdrawal from the stage under doctor's orders. At 84 years old, the veteran vocalist had been in the middle of preparing his live set when medical advice mandated an immediate period of rest away from performance.
The schedule was set to launch on October 13 at the Watford Colosseum, followed by an appearance at the Manchester Opera House on October 15. From there, Garfunkel was due to perform at the University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall on October 17 before concluding the run at London's Royal Albert Hall on October 19. Promoters and the individual venues are currently attempting to rearrange the four appearances, with ticket buyers advised to hang on to their existing bookings while alternative dates are established.
The discovery of the illness came down to an appointment that almost never happened. Garfunkel admitted that he came very close to skipping a routine checkup while working through rehearsals, only keeping the consultation because his wife, Kim, urged him to attend. That decision brought the respiratory infection to light, prompting his physician to order complete vocal recuperation. In a statement addressing the delay, Garfunkel spoke candidly about his disappointment, describing his heart as broken over having to put the concerts on hold. He stressed that receiving affection and warmth from concertgoers at this stage of his life feels like an extraordinary gift, adding that singing for people remains one of his supreme lifelong pleasures. Apologising for letting ticket holders down, he noted that he is being properly cared for, expects to make a full recovery, and wants to return to the microphone as soon as his physical condition allows.
Any respiratory or throat-related ailment inevitably brings back memories of earlier setbacks in Garfunkel's career. In 2010, a much-anticipated reunion tour with Paul Simon had to be shelved entirely when Garfunkel developed vocal cord paresis, an affliction that left one of his vocal cords partially paralyzed. That disruption proved final for their shared stage history, as the pair have not mounted a public performance together in the years since. Given the fragility of vocal health, stepping away from the microphone at the first sign of an infection remains a sensible, if frustrating, precaution.
The setback arrives during what has otherwise been a restorative chapter for Garfunkel. Earlier in 2024, he shared details of a private reconciliation with Simon, bridging a prolonged stretch of personal distance. Their reunion centered around a frank discussion of past grievances, where Garfunkel offered apologies for previous hurtful remarks, a moment that moved him to tears before the former partners embraced. That emotional breakthrough coincided with a renewed focus on recording, highlighted by the release of Father And Son, an album of cover versions made alongside his son, Art Garfunkel Jr.
For now, the rest of Garfunkel's international calendar remains untouched. He is scheduled to play L’Olympia in Paris on October 21, just days after the postponed British dates were set to conclude, before heading across the Atlantic for a run of American concerts that begins in Virginia on October 30. Whether those appearances go ahead as planned will hinge on how rapidly the infection clears and how quickly his voice responds to mandatory rest.
