Art Garfunkel Delays UK Leg of ‘What A Wonderful World’ Tour Due to Respiratory Illness

Folk-rock legend Art Garfunkel has announced the postponement of his upcoming UK tour dates following a diagnosis of respiratory infection.

The Simon & Garfunkel vocalist was set to perform his ‘What A Wonderful World’ tour across Watford, Manchester, Wolverhampton, and London, with the opening show scheduled at the Watford Colosseum on Tuesday (October 13). All four performances have been delayed as Garfunkel focuses on recovery.

In a heartfelt statement, the 84-year-old explained that the diagnosis came after a medical appointment during rehearsals—an engagement he almost skipped. “During rehearsals for my upcoming concerts, I nearly postponed a scheduled appointment with my physician,” he shared. “Thankfully, my wonderful wife, Kim, insisted that I keep it.”

He continued: “As it turns out, I have been diagnosed with a respiratory infection, and my doctor has advised me to take some time to rest and recover.”

Expressing disappointment, Garfunkel added: “My heart is broken that I must postpone these performances. At this season of my life, to be so warmly received by audiences and surrounded by so much love is a gift beyond words.

“Singing for you has always been one of the greatest joys of my life, and the thought of disappointing you saddens me deeply.”

The postponed UK dates are:

OCTOBER 2026
13 – Watford – Watford Colosseum
15 – Manchester – Opera House
17 – Wolverhampton – University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall
19 – London – Royal Albert Hall

Venue partners are currently working to reschedule the shows, and ticket holders have been advised to retain their tickets while new dates are confirmed.

“I promise you that I will return to the stage and sing for you as soon as my health allows,” Garfunkel concluded. “Please don’t worry about me. I’m in good hands, and I expect to be just fine.”

His next listed performance is at L’Olympia in Paris on October 21, followed by a U.S. leg beginning in Virginia on October 30.

Garfunkel has dealt with vocal challenges in the past. In 2010, a planned Simon & Garfunkel reunion tour was scrapped after he suffered from vocal cord paresis, leaving one vocal cord partially paralyzed. The iconic duo has not performed together since, though Garfunkel revealed in 2024 that he and Paul Simon had reconciled following years of estrangement.

During an interview with NME, he reflected on their emotional reunion: “We ended years of estrangement with a lot of sweet candor.” He noted that after admitting he had intentionally hurt Simon in a prior conversation, the moment turned deeply personal—“The next thing I knew, I burst into tears… and then there were hugs.”

His latest studio effort was 2024’s collaborative album ‘Father And Son’, recorded with his son Art Garfunkel Jr.

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