The classic duo that first performed under the name “Tom & Jerry” was Simon & Garfunkel.

Who “Tom & Jerry” Really Were

  • In the late 1950s, teenage friends Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel recorded pop songs using the stage name “Tom & Jerry.”
  • Under this alias, they released “Hey Schoolgirl,” which became a minor hit and helped launch their later career as Simon & Garfunkel.

Why They Used the Name

  • The pseudonyms Tom Graph (Art Garfunkel) and Jerry Landis (Paul Simon) were chosen to sound more mainstream for the 1950s pop market.
  • They dropped the “Tom & Jerry” name when they moved into folk-rock and began performing under their real names as Simon & Garfunkel, becoming one of the most iconic duos in popular music.

TL;DR: The answer to “which classic duo first performed under the name ‘Tom & Jerry’?” is Simon & Garfunkel.

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