1 - Simon and Garfunkel - The Sound of Silence “Hello darkness, my old friend…” These iconic opening words have resonated with millions of listeners since Simon & Garfunkel first released “The Sound of Silence” in 1964. What began as an acoustic folk song transformed into a cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate audiences more than half a century later. The Birth of a Classic Paul Simon penned this haunting melody in the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. The song was initially released on their debut album Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. in October 1964, but it went largely unnoticed. The duo even split up, with Paul Simon moving to England. ...