Art Garfunkel Postpones UK Tour Due to Respiratory Infection

Art Garfunkel has postponed all four UK dates of his "What A Wonderful World" tour, which was set to kick off next week, after being diagnosed with a respiratory infection. According to NME, the 84-year-old singer was examined by a doctor during rehearsals and was advised to rest and recover. New dates have yet to be announced.

"During rehearsals for my upcoming shows, I almost skipped a scheduled doctor's appointment," Garfunkel said in a statement. "Thankfully, my wonderful wife Kim insisted that I go. It turns out I am suffering from a respiratory infection, and my doctor has advised me to take time off to rest and heal."

Tour Postponement and Ticket Details

"My heart breaks that I have to postpone these shows," he added. "At this stage of my life, being so warmly received by audiences and surrounded by so much love is an indescribable gift. Singing for you has always been one of the great joys of my life, and the thought of disappointing you makes me very sad."

The postponed shows were scheduled for October 13, 2026, at the Watford Colosseum; October 15 at the Manchester Opera House; October 17 at the University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall; and October 19 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Venues are currently working on rescheduling, and ticket holders have been asked to keep their tickets for the new dates.

"I promise I will return to the stage and sing for you the moment my health allows. Please don't worry about me. I am in good hands and I expect to be just fine," Garfunkel stated.

The next performance currently remaining on his schedule is set for October 21 at the Olympia in Paris, followed by a series of US dates starting in Virginia on October 30.

Past Health Struggles and Reconciliation with Paul Simon

This is not the first time Garfunkel has faced a medical issue affecting his singing ability. In 2010, a planned Simon & Garfunkel reunion tour was canceled after he suffered vocal cord paresis, which left one of his cords partially paralyzed. The duo has not performed together since that year, but in 2024, Garfunkel revealed that he and Paul Simon had reconciled after years of estrangement.

"We ended years of estrangement with a lot of sweet honesty," he shared in an interview with NME later that year, admitting that he had previously hurt Simon on purpose in past interviews. "The next thing I remember is that I burst into tears... and then there were hugs."

Garfunkel's most recent album, "Father And Son," was released in 2024. It is an album of covers recorded alongside his son, Art Garfunkel Jr.