Simon and Garfunkel's Bookends

by Pete Fornatale

Released just 24 hours before the Martin Luther King Jr. assassination in April 1968 and inseparable from the tumultuous events of that time, Bookends is essential Simon and Garfunkel, featuring "A Hazy Shade of Winter" and the finished version of "Mrs. Robinson," the classic #1 hit that had its beginnings on the soundtrack of the milestone motion picture The Graduate .

Writing from on-hand experience and exclusive interviews with the duo, Pete Fornatale reveals never-before-disclosed details of the love-hate relationship between the two musicians and offers a unique perspective on each of them. Bookends captured the duo at the peak of their personal, professional, and artistic partnership in the '60s. The dark clouds and troubled waters that broke them up were still a year and a half away.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

129 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2007

About the author

Peter "Pete" Fornatale (August 23, 1945 – April 26, 2012) was a New York City disc jockey and author of numerous books on rock and roll. He is considered a "pioneer of FM rock, who played an important role in the progressive rock era of FM broadcasting. He was the first person to host a rock music show on New York City's FM band, commencing November 21, 1964 on WFUV. By broadcasting progressive rock and long album tracks, he was noted for introducing a musical alternative to Top 40 AM radio in New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Billboard called his station "a legend, affecting and inspiring people throughout the industry.
He gave early exposure to country-rock bands like Buffalo Springfield and Poco, and did one of the first American interviews with Elton John. In 1991 he was co-host of "Paul Simon Live in Central Park" and was often called to be an expert guest commentator on PBS specials, including those featuring Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Orbison, Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor and others.

Reviews

[Rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fornatale, a New York DJ who has a weekly show on W-FUV, is a fan and because of his longtime role on NY radio has conducted many interviews with the duo alone and together over the years. His premise is that Bookends, the group’s next to last album of their five studio albums, deserves a place in the pantheon of ground-breaking concept albums of the mid-60s that includes Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. In this instance, he is talking about side one, not side two of the album which was more a collection of singles—and quite the collection: it includes Mrs. Robinson, the song finished after its first draft inclusion in the movie “The Graduate,” and At the Zoo, among others. Side one, though, began and ended with Bookend’s Theme, the opening track instrumental version and the closing track with lyrics. In between was Save the Life of My Child, America, Overs, Voices of Old People, and Old Friends, with the line “How terribly strange to be seventy,” which both boys now are.

The book makes its case in chatty prose, well-supported by copious quotes from Paul and Art. There are interesting tidbits—that Art Garfunkel couldn’t ever let go of the fact that as a teenager, post their regional fame as Tom and Jerry, Paul attempted to record solo. The book also confirmed something I long thought: several of the side two Bookends songs were written with the idea they would be used in “The Graduate,” though Mike Nichols’s film schedule and Paul Simon’s writing schedule were in conflict with the duo’s touring schedule. But Fakin’ It and Punky’s Dilemma were meant for the movie but rather than wait Nichols instead went with Simon & Garfunkel songs from already released albums. In the end, where the album ranks among 60s concept albums isn’t that important and Fornatale seems satisfied with what might be considered a short book length set of liner notes. Entertaining and light reading for fans.

[Alex Wexelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pithy love letter to Simon & Garfunkel's 1968 album, Bookends, this paean by radio host Pete Fornatale is cute. It contains some new interviews, but mostly it's one man's send-up to an album he loves. Fornatale doesn't really add too much new info in these pages that you can't glean from Wikipedia. But it was an easy read and I don't want to judge him too harshly for having fun going deep on his favorite record.

[Barron Lerner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book from the author on an evening he gave a presentation on the history of Simon and Garfunkel. It was a special event. Not only did Art Garfunkel make a surprise appearance and sing a few songs, but Fornatale himself would unexpectedly die several months later. The book is a lot like its author, full of love for his subjects as well as interesting asides and trivia. For example, the famous song "Mrs. Robinson" was originally supposed to be called "Mrs. Roosevelt," in honor of the former First Lady, and the song was not even fully written when Mike Nichols decided to use it in "The Graduate." If you love Simon and Garfunkel or you fondly remember Fornatale on AM radio in New York City, you will love this book.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief overview of the background and career of Simon and Garfunkel, centered around their fascinating and occasionally complex penultimate album.

Rich in description of the author's time with both artists, and clearly by someone with an identification and closeness to each, this suffers slightly by not going deep enough, by using shorthand where inspection would have benefited. This works generally as the reader sings each discussed song in their head, but leaves the end result a bit light in the aftertaste.

[cubbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

sometimes tiny books contain rich depths. that's why i picked this one up. but honestly, the depths that the description on the outside of the book hinted at, were not delved into much more deeply than in the description.

[Judy Benvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book if you are a fan of Simon & Garfunkels. Interesting inof on the making of a record as well as a little background of the famous duo. I knocked off a star because I would have liked the book to be a little longer.

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only for fanatic fans -- not too much new information and a lot of the author's opinions.

[Atul Sabnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

S&G fans will like it. As simple as that! :)

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting analysis of this wonderful album.

[Kent]

Great book about the relationship between two interesting characters on the 60s music scene and the development of concept albums.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few very interesting insights and stories told and shared about these two important icons of the folk music movement in the 60s. Just not very well written.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like music? Then read this. Like, now.