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MPR News Staff

Surprise hit 'Sound of Silence' reunited Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel
Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon perform at the 38th AFI Life Achievement Awards in June 2010.
Getty Images | File 2010

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No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart 50 years ago today, Simon and Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence" is credited with reuniting the band.

The song was originally recorded for the duo's debut album, "Wednesday Morning, 3 a.m.," but the record didn't sell well. Simon and Garfunkel split up.

But some DJs in Boston and Florida started playing the album cut of the song and got a good response, so Columbia decided to release it as a single.

Producer Tom Wilson felt that the song was too soft for Top 40 radio, so he added the drums and electric instruments without Simon and Garfunkel's knowledge.

After the song became a hit, the band reunited and started work on a second album.