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Finding love after 50. Author and columnist Tom Blake's dating information and advice for widowers, widows, divorced men, divorced women,
middle-aged singles boomer singles and senior singles who are dating again and hope to meet a mate.
Finding Love After 50 Simon and Garfunkel
A great date with "Old Friends"
My partner Greta and I are 1960s vintage.
When we heard that Simon and Garfunkel
were doing an "Old Friends" tour this year,
we wanted to attend one of their concerts.
But, by the time we got around to looking into
it, the only available tickets were at Staples Center
in Los Angeles, an hour away from where we live
in Orange County, located behind the stage. It
was too much money for a rear-end view of
the duo.
But, when I read in the "Orange County Register" that a previously-cancelled show was rescheduled for the Arrowhead Pond, I got on the Internet
and secured two seats for a Sunday-night performance.
To make the evening an even more special date, onthe way to the concert we stopped at the El Torito Grill in Irvine for a plate of appetizers.
When Simon and Garfunkel took the stage, my initial reaction was, egad, they've aged. The first few notes were discordant. But it didn't take them long to
regain their old harmony and collect standing ovations.
They gave the audience-mainly a 1960s bunch-what they wanted. Every song was an oldie.
You can't listen to Simon and Garfunkel and not be reminded of New York City (where I lived from 1966 until 1970).
I remember back then being dragged against my will by a date to the movie "The Graduate" at a theatre on the East Side near 61st and Third Avenue.
When "The Sounds of Silence" opened the movie with Dustin Hoffman walking through LAX, I said, "Wow, I'm glad I came." I've seen that movie five times. Of course, Simon
and Garfunkel did the soundtrack.
So when they sang "The Sounds of Silence" so magnificently at the Pond, it took me back 39 years ago to New York City.
Other New York City-related songs-"The Zoo," "The 59th Street Bridge Song" and "The Boxer," which ended the show--reminded me how fortunate
I am to have lived in that great city.
Simon and Garfunkel brought down the house when their powerful and talented seven-piece band cranked up the volume on "Mrs. Robinson," while
flashing clips from "The Graduate" on the big screen.
The longer they sang the better they harmonized. You almost forgot you were listening in 2003, it could have been The Big Apple in 1968 all over again.
The 1960s produced incredible music.
What struck me was how gracious and humble Art Garfunkel is and how important his higher-pitched voice was to the success of that duo. And when you
realize how many incredible songs Paul Simon has written and performed, you are awed by his talent.
A nice surprise in the middle of the show was the appearance of The Everly Brothers, who sounded strong singing four of their hits, most notably "Wake Up
Little Susie." I remember being on dates, listening to that tune on the car radio.
The final song before the encore was, of course, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," during which, everyone stood. Greta took my hand and thanked me for a
1960s-style romantic evening.
If Simon and Garfunkel come to your part of the country, go see them. You'll be in for a special treat.
Simon and Garfunkel-they've still got it.
Reader Comments re:
last week's Thanksgiving marriage column
Bruce, Laguna Beach, "Why not expand on
last week's love story and make it a book and a
movie script?" Response: Good idea, but another project? Oh my.
Phyllis, Anaheim, "Beautiful Story. May God bless their lives together."
Joan, Newport Beach: "Not a dry eye in
my house either.
Tina Tessina, therapist and author, Long Beach, "Two of my friends, both in their 60s, got married last year, after 18 years together. Some people just have to
try it on longer." Response: "Try it on" Tina? Like a pair of socks?
Pearl San Antonio, Tx., "Column brought tears to my eyes." Response: Pearl met the love of her life on the Internet at age 65.
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