Paul Simon and his wife Edie Brickell were arrested over the weekend in Connecticut after police investigated a "family dispute," the New Canaan Police Department said.
Police responded at 8:20 p.m. on Saturday after receiving a 911 hangup call, gathered information and found probable cause to arrest Simon, 72, and Brickell, 47. Both were both charged with disorderly conduct, according to a news release from New Canaan police, and released on a promise to appear in court.
The couple's attorney, Allan Cramer, said there was "a push" involved, and it was minor. "On a scale of one to 10, it was a one," he said.
It was not clear who pushed whom, but the attorney said Brickell's mother was the one who called police.
Simon and Brickell were holding hands when they arrived at court for their arraignment on Monday. They spoke briefly with the judge, who declined to issue protective orders at the request of Simon and Brickell.
"Both of us are fine together. We had an argument. It's atypical," Simon told the judge.
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Simon told the judge that he and Brickell have no reason to fear each other.
"He's no threat to me at all," Brickell told the judge.
“We sent officers to investigate, determined that there was an altercation and dispute and we had probable cause,” New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski told NBC Connecticut. “In fact, we're obligated to make an arrest under Connecticut general statutes for domestic violence, which this case is considered.”
The couple was not taken into custody.
Simon and Brickell were married in 1992, have three children together and live in New Canaan.
Staff at Simon's music company had no comment and a representative for Brickell referred NBC Connecticut to the couple's attorney.
Brickell is widely known for 1988's "Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars," the debut album by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, which went to No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart and featured the hit song "What I Am."
One of the most well-known musicians of his generation, Simon has won 12 Grammys. "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Still Crazy After All These Years" and "Graceland" were all awarded albums of the year.
In 2003 he was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as half of the duo Simon and Garfunkel. He is a member of The Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Simon and Garfunkel and as a solo artist.
This is Simon's third marriage. He was previously married to Peggy Harper, from 1969 to 1975, and to "Star Wars" actress Carrie Fisher, from 1983 to 1984.
The case has been continued to May 16.
Editor's Note: New Canaan Police initially told NBC Connecticut Simon was facing a domestic violence charge, but now say the singer was charged with disorderly conduct.
