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Paul Simon

Paul Simon

(born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, a figure so ingrained in the fabric of modern music that attempting to dissect his career feels akin to trying to untangle the roots of a particularly venerable oak. He's known for his solo endeavors and, of course, for his enduring, if occasionally tempestuous, partnership with Art Garfunkel. Their story, which began in the hallowed halls of elementary school in 1953, blossomed into the iconic duo Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s. Their music, a delicate alchemy of folk and rock, became the sonic wallpaper for a generation grappling with change. Think "The Sound of Silence" in 1965, the instant classic "Mrs. Robinson" in 1968, the wistful "America" that same year, and the poignant "The Boxer" in 1969. These weren't just songs; they were anthems for the 1960s counterculture. Their swan song, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970), remains a titan, a monument on the ever-expanding list of the best-selling albums of all time.

Simon's solo journey, however, is where he truly stretched his sonic palette, venturing into the hallowed grounds of gospel, the infectious rhythms of reggae, and the soulful depths of soul. Albums like Paul Simon (1972), There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973), and the critically lauded Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) cemented his individual artistry. These records gifted us enduring hits such as "Mother and Child Reunion" (1972), the deceptively simple "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" (1972), and the ubiquitous "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (1975). The reunion with Garfunkel wasn't a one-off; it manifested in several memorable tours and the legendary 1981 Concert in Central Park. Simon, a surprisingly adept performer outside of music, hosted Saturday Night Live a remarkable four times between 1975 and 1987, making numerous appearances as a musical guest. He even dipped his toes into acting, making a memorable cameo in Woody Allen's iconic romantic comedy Annie Hall (1977).

Then came 1986, a year that redefined Simon's solo career with the release of Graceland. This wasn't just an album; it was a cultural phenomenon, a bold infusion of South African musical traditions into his already rich tapestry. The infectious "You Can Call Me Al" became an instant anthem, and Graceland itself garnered immense critical acclaim and commercial success. It was followed by the equally impressive The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), and another colossal Concert in the Park in 1991, this time without Garfunkel, drawing an astonishing 500,000 attendees. Though his 1998 foray into Broadway with The Capeman met with a less enthusiastic reception, Simon's creative drive never waned. He continued to release vital work well into the 21st century, with albums like You're the One (2000), So Beautiful or So What (2011), and Stranger to Stranger (2016), each introducing his distinctive sound to new generations. His most recent offering, Seven Psalms, arrived in 2023, a testament to his ongoing artistic evolution.

The accolades, as one might expect, are a testament to his impact. Simon has been enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame not once, but twice. His mantelpiece groans under the weight of 16 Grammy Awards, including a remarkable three for Album of the Year. Two of his most significant works, the Simon & Garfunkel classic Sounds of Silence (1966) and the groundbreaking Graceland, have been recognized by the National Recording Registry for their indelible cultural significance. His contributions were further acknowledged with the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 2001 and the Library of Congress's own Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2007. Beyond the accolades, Simon is a dedicated philanthropist, co-founding the Children's Health Fund, an organization committed to providing medical care to underserved children. He's also a notable proponent of effective altruism, a philosophy that champions evidence-based giving.

Early Life and Education

Paul Frederic Simon entered the world on October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Hungarian-Jewish immigrants. His father, Louis, a man who navigated the world of academia as a professor of education at the City College of New York, also harbored a passion for music, performing as a double bass player and dance bandleader under the stage name Lee Sims. His mother, Belle, found her calling in the classroom as an elementary school teacher. The family’s journey led them to the vibrant borough of Queens in New York City, specifically settling in Kew Gardens Hills in 1945.

The musician Donald Fagen, with a perceptive eye, once described Simon's upbringing as embodying "a certain kind of New York Jew, almost a stereotype really, to whom music and baseball are very important." He posited that this stemmed from parents who, as immigrants or first-generation Americans, often felt like outsiders, making assimilation a primary goal. This, in turn, led them to embrace alternative cultures, particularly black music and baseball. Simon himself acknowledged the accuracy of Fagen's observation, recalling his father as a witty and intelligent man, though one whose demanding schedule often meant he was absent from his children's lives. It was on the radio program Make Believe Ballroom that Simon first encountered rock and roll, specifically the song "Gee" by The Crows. He vividly remembers the feeling of hearing "Earth Angel" and trying, unsuccessfully, to convey that profound emotional impact to his father, a musician steeped in the more sophisticated sounds of big bands and Sinatra.

The fateful meeting with Art Garfunkel occurred when both were eleven years old. Their shared stage debut was in a production of Alice in Wonderland for their sixth-grade graduation. By thirteen, they were harmonizing together, their nascent musical journey marked by performances at school dances. Simon's first composition, penned at twelve or thirteen, was "The Girl for Me," intended for their shared performance. It became, by Simon’s account, the "neighborhood hit." His father meticulously transcribed the lyrics and chords onto paper, a document that now resides in the Library of Congress and holds the distinction of being the first officially copyrighted Simon and Garfunkel song. In 1957, as teenagers, they recorded "Hey, Schoolgirl" under the moniker "Tom & Jerry," a name bestowed by their label, Big Records. The single managed to climb to number 49 on the Billboard charts, a promising start.

After graduating from Forest Hills High School, Simon pursued higher education at Queens College, earning an English degree in 1963. Meanwhile, Garfunkel was honing his mathematical education skills at Columbia University in Manhattan. Simon also found himself a brother in the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and, for a brief semester in 1963, attended Brooklyn Law School.

Career

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Between 1957 and 1964, Simon was a prolific creator, penning, recording, and releasing over thirty songs. He and Garfunkel would occasionally reconvene as Tom & Jerry to cut singles like "Our Song" and "That's My Story." However, the majority of Simon's recordings from this period were solo efforts or involved musicians other than Garfunkel. These tracks found their way onto smaller labels such as Amy, Big, Hunt, King, Tribute, and Madison. Simon adopted several pseudonyms for these releases, including "Jerry Landis," "Paul Kane," and "True Taylor." By 1962, operating as Jerry Landis, he had established himself as a regular writer and producer for various Amy Records artists, shaping material for Dotty Daniels, the Vels, and Ritchie Cordell.

Simon experienced a modicum of success with singles released as part of the group Tico and the Triumphs. Their 1962 track "Motorcycle" reached number 99 on the Billboard charts. Tico and the Triumphs put out four 45s. While Marty Cooper, known as Tico, typically sang lead, it was Simon's voice that graced "Motorcycle." In that same year, Simon, under the name Jerry Landis, charted at number 97 with the whimsical novelty song "The Lone Teen Ranger."

1960s: Simon & Garfunkel

In the early months of 1964, Simon and Garfunkel presented themselves to Columbia Records. Clive Davis, an executive at the label, saw potential and signed them, entrusting them with the production of an album. Columbia's decision to bill them as "Simon & Garfunkel" instead of their established "Tom & Jerry" name was, according to Simon, a significant shift, marking the first instance of artists being identified solely by their surnames in popular music. Their debut LP, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., released on October 19, 1964, comprised twelve tracks, five of which were penned by Simon. The album, however, was met with initial indifference, a commercial flop.

Following the album's release, Simon relocated to London in 1965, immersing himself in the city's burgeoning folk club scene. He found a certain solace and creative freedom there, later remarking in 1970, "I had a lot of friends there and a girlfriend. I could play music there. There was no place to play in New York City. They wouldn't have me." England's bohemian folk community embraced him. He recounted learning the intricacies of finger-picking guitar from Martin Carthy, who was connected to the Watersons. This period exposed him to a wealth of traditional English folk music, including the ballad "Scarborough Fair," which profoundly influenced him. Simon reflected, "I was 21, 22, and emotionally open to everything." During this formative time, he penned "Homeward Bound" and "I Am a Rock," and also learned the intricate guitar instrumental "Anji" by Davey Graham. He candidly admitted, "Nothing in my repertoire can’t be traced back to something I’ve heard at some point, and the two big influences were street corner doo-wop from New York and the folk music I heard in England."

While in England, Simon recorded his solo album, The Paul Simon Songbook. Featuring only his voice and acoustic guitar, it was initially released exclusively in the UK, though it later found wider distribution. He also lent his production skills to Jackson C. Frank's sole album and collaborated with Bruce Woodley of the Australian group the Seekers on several songs, including "I Wish You Could Be Here," "Cloudy," and "Red Rubber Ball." Simon's composition "Someday, One Day" was recorded by The Seekers, charting around the same time as "Homeward Bound."

Back in the United States, radio stations on the East Coast began to experience a surge in requests for "The Sound of Silence," a track from the Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. album. Simon & Garfunkel's producer, Tom Wilson, took it upon himself to overdub the song with electric guitar, bass, and drums, releasing it as a single. The track's ascent was meteoric, eventually reaching the number 1 spot on the U.S. pop charts. Wilson's unilateral decision caught Simon completely off guard, and he later described his reaction to hearing the remixed version as one of sheer "horror." The single's unexpected success served as the catalyst for Simon's return to the U.S. to reunite with Garfunkel. Together, they embarked on recording their subsequent albums: Sounds of Silence (1966), Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (1966), and Bookends (1968).

Simon & Garfunkel also contributed significantly to the soundtrack of Mike Nichols's seminal film The Graduate (1967). During the songwriting process for "Mrs. Robinson," Simon experimented with the title, at one point considering "Mrs. Roosevelt." When Garfunkel relayed this indecision to Nichols, the director's response was characteristically blunt: "Don't be ridiculous! We're making a movie here! It's Mrs. Robinson!"

The creative and personal dynamic between Simon and Garfunkel became increasingly strained, ultimately leading to their split in 1970. At the insistence of his wife, Peggy Harper, Simon contacted Davis to formally confirm the duo's dissolution. For the ensuing years, their interactions were infrequent, limited to only two or three conversations annually. Their final collaborative album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970), achieved phenomenal success, becoming the bestselling album to date. The title track, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," soared to number one, while "Cecilia" and "The Boxer" both secured spots in the top ten.

1970–1976: Solo and Still Crazy After All These Years

In 1970, Simon took on a teaching role in songwriting at New York University. He expressed a long-held desire to impart his knowledge, hoping to guide aspiring songwriters away from the pitfalls he had encountered. "You can teach somebody about writing songs," he stated. "You can't teach someone how to write a song... I'd go to a course if the Beatles would talk about how they made records because I'm sure I could learn something." He also contributed the lyrics for "Half of the People" to Leonard Bernstein’s Mass in 1971.

While pursuing his solo career, Simon continued to engage in occasional reunions with Garfunkel for various projects. In April 1972, he performed at the Cleveland Arena alongside fellow artists Joni Mitchell and James Taylor at a benefit concert supporting George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign. In mid-June of that year, he and Garfunkel reunited once more at Madison Square Garden for another concert benefiting McGovern's campaign.

Simon's next album, Paul Simon, was unveiled in January 1972. This record marked an early exploration into world music, featuring the reggae-infused "Mother and Child Reunion," recorded with the band of Jimmy Cliff. The single achieved Top 5 status in both the American and British markets. The album itself garnered widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers lauding its stylistic diversity and introspective lyrics. Paul Simon climbed to number 4 in the U.S. and number 1 in the UK and Japan, also spawning another Top 30 hit, "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard". Simon also contributed his guitar talents to Garfunkel's 1973 album Angel Clare, adding backing vocals to the track "Down in the Willow Garden".

Simon's subsequent project, the pop-folk album There Goes Rhymin' Simon, was released in May 1973. Its lead single, "Kodachrome," became a number 2 hit in the U.S. The follow-up, the gospel-tinged "Loves Me Like a Rock," topped the Cashbox charts. Other notable songs from the album, such as "American Tune" and "Something So Right" (a heartfelt tribute to Simon's first wife, Peggy), became staples of his live performances. The album reached number 1 on the Cashbox album charts. In March 1974, he released a live album, Live Rhymin', showcasing elements of Latin and religious music.

His next album, co-produced with Phil Ramone, was Still Crazy After All These Years, released in October 1975. The album's mood, shaped by Simon's recent divorce, was notably more somber. It included "Gone at Last", a duet with Phoebe Snow, and the Simon & Garfunkel reunion track "My Little Town". This song, a number 9 hit on Billboard, was originally written by Simon for Garfunkel, whose solo work Simon felt lacked "bite." Despite popular belief, the song was not inspired by Simon's early life in New York City. The album Still Crazy After All These Years stands as his sole number 1 album on the Billboard charts to date. At the 18th Grammy Awards, it was honored with the award for Album of the Year, and Simon's performance on it earned him the award for Best Male Pop Vocal. The third single from the album, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", achieved the number 1 position on the Billboard charts. On May 3, 1976, Simon organized a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden for the New York Public Library, successfully raising over $30,000.

1977–1985: One-Trick Pony and Hearts and Bones

Following the release of three highly successful studio albums, Simon engaged in a variety of projects. He contributed music to Hal Ashby's film Shampoo (1975). "Slip Slidin' Away", the lead single from his 1977 compilation album Greatest Hits, Etc., reached number 5 in the U.S. Simon also made several acting appearances in films and television programs. He portrayed music producer Tony Lacey, a supporting character in Woody Allen's film Annie Hall (1977) and made a brief cameo in the mockumentary The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash the following year. In 1981, he graced an episode of The Muppet Show, an unusual installment as it exclusively featured the songs of a single songwriter. He was also a recurring guest on Sesame Street throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including a memorable performance of "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" in 1977, and a cameo in the song "Put Down the Duckie!" in 1986.

In 1980, Simon released One-Trick Pony, his first album under the Warner Bros. Records label and his first in nearly five years. The album was released in conjunction with the motion picture of the same name, which Simon wrote and starred in. The single "Late in the Evening" peaked at number 6 on Billboard, but the album itself did not achieve strong sales. In 1981, Simon & Garfunkel incorporated eight songs from Simon's solo catalog into the setlist for their September 19 concert in Central Park. Five of these were re-arranged as duets, with Simon performing the remaining three solo. The subsequent live album, television special, and videocassette (later DVD) releases were all highly successful.

Following the triumph of The Concert in Central Park, Simon & Garfunkel returned to the studio with plans to record an album of new material, which would have been their first new recordings as a duo since "My Little Town" and their first album of new material since Bridge over Troubled Water. Ultimately, Simon decided to remove Garfunkel's vocals from the recordings, and in 1983, he released Hearts and Bones as a solo album. This polished, confessional work was eventually recognized as one of his finest, yet it achieved the lowest sales of his career. Hearts and Bones featured "The Late Great Johnny Ace", a poignant song reflecting on the deaths of American R&B singer Johnny Ace and John Lennon. The album also included an orchestral coda composed by Philip Glass. In January 1985, Simon participated in the USA for Africa project, contributing to the relief fundraising single "We Are the World".

1986–1992: Graceland and The Rhythm of the Saints

In 1986, Simon was bestowed with an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music, where he had previously served on the board of trustees.

Simon’s decision to record an album of South African music was sparked by hearing a bootlegged tape of mbaqanga, a vibrant style of South African street music. In 1986, he traveled to Johannesburg and commenced recording sessions with African musicians, with additional sessions taking place in New York. These sessions involved numerous South African artists, most notably Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Simon also collaborated with several American artists, including a duet with Linda Ronstadt on "Under African Skies" and a collaboration with Los Lobos on "All Around the World or The Myth of Fingerprints."

The resulting album, Graceland, became Simon's most commercially successful studio album. Simon recalled his creative process: "I improvised in two ways - by making up melodies in falsetto, and by singing any words that came to mind down in my lower and mid range. I tried not to censor the words and to keep an ear cocked to see if a phrase came out that was interesting enough to suggest that my subconscious had allowed something significant to bubble out. Though I had no intentions of writing about Elvis Presley, the word 'Graceland' came very early. While writing the lyrics, I always tried to stay true to the mood of the music, which was flowing, pleasant and easy." Critic Stephen Holden observed, "Listening to Graceland, one gets the sense of an artist submitting to, and being swept up by, musical forces he does not totally understand. Adding a crucial extra dimension to the album is Mr. Simon's very urbane literary sensibility, which pulls against the simplicity of the music and lends the songs a kind of double vision. The music extends and enriches the language while the lyrics meditate on the music." It is estimated that Graceland has sold over 16 million copies worldwide. The album earned Simon the 1987 Grammy for Album of the Year. In 2006, it was recognized by the United States' National Recording Registry as "culturally, historically or aesthetically important."

Simon faced accusations of violating the cultural boycott imposed by the international community against South Africa's apartheid regime. Organizations such as Artists United Against Apartheid, anti-apartheid musicians including Billy Bragg, Paul Weller, and Jerry Dammers, along with James Victor Gbeho, Ghana's Ambassador to the United Nations, voiced their criticisms. Simon vehemently denied the allegations, stating he had not gone to South Africa to "take money out of the country" and emphasizing that he paid the black artists involved, split royalties with them, and was not compensated for performing to a segregated audience. The United Nations Anti-Apartheid Committee initially supported Graceland, recognizing its showcase of black South African musicians and its lack of support for the South African government. However, the African National Congress protested, deeming it a breach of the boycott. Consequently, the Congress voted to ban Simon from South Africa, and he was placed on the United Nations blacklist, from which he was eventually removed in January 1987. In 1989, Simon made an appearance on Dion's song "Written on the Subway Wall"/"Little Star" from the album Yo Frankie, which charted at number 97 in October 1990. In 1992, Simon and his band received an invitation from Nelson Mandela to perform in South Africa.

Following the immense success of Graceland, Simon delved deeper into global rhythms with the Brazilian-influenced album The Rhythm of the Saints. Recording sessions for the album commenced in December 1989 in Rio de Janeiro and New York, featuring guitarist J.J. Cale and a host of Brazilian and African musicians. The album's overall tone was more introspective and subdued compared to Graceland. Released in October 1990, the album garnered excellent reviews and achieved strong sales, peaking at number 4 in the U.S. and number 1 in the UK. The lead single, "The Obvious Child", featuring the Grupo Cultural Olodum, marked Simon's last Top 20 hit in the UK and charted near the bottom of the Billboard Hot 100. While not reaching the commercial heights of Graceland, The Rhythm of the Saints received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. Simon's ex-wife, Carrie Fisher, alluded to their relationship in her autobiography [Wishful Drinking], suggesting the song "She Moves On" was inspired by her.

The success of both Graceland and The Rhythm of the Saints enabled Simon to stage another significant concert in New York. On August 15, 1991, he presented a second concert in Central Park, this time accompanied by African and South American bands. The concert's attendance surpassed all expectations, with an estimated 48,500 people present. Simon later described the event as "the most memorable moment in my career." Its success led to the release of a live album and an Emmy-winning television special. Simon embarked on the "Born at the Right Time" tour, further promoting the album with singles such as "Proof", accompanied by a humorous music video featuring Chevy Chase and Steve Martin. On March 4, 1992, Simon made an appearance on MTV Unplugged. In 1990, Simon & Garfunkel were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1993–1998: Paul Simon 1964/1993 and The Capeman

Another reunion of Simon & Garfunkel took place in September 1993, coinciding with the release of Columbia's compilation album Paul Simon 1964/1993. Initially a three-disc set, it was later condensed into a two-disc version titled The Paul Simon Anthology a month later. In 1995, Simon appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, performing "Ten Years," a song he had composed for the show's tenth anniversary. Also in 1995, he featured on Annie Lennox's rendition of his 1973 song "Something So Right," which briefly entered the UK Top 50 as a single.

Simon collaborated with poet Derek Walcott on a musical titled The Capeman, which premiered on January 29, 1998. He had dedicated considerable time and effort to this project over many years, describing it as "a New York Puerto Rican story based on events that happened in 1959—events that I remembered." The musical chronicled the life of Salvador Agron, a real-life Puerto Rican youth who, while wearing a cape, committed two murders in New York in 1959. Agron later became a writer during his imprisonment. Featuring Marc Anthony as the young Agron and Rubén Blades as the older Agron, the play did not achieve commercial success, receiving mixed reviews and poor box-office returns. Critic Clive Barnes lauded the score as "the most bewitching and bewitched Broadway score in years -- music that, in a quite different way, only Stephen Sondheim has equaled," but noted that the production was " West Side Story particularized, de-prettified and de-balleticized. A tough call for entertainment."

Simon recorded an album of songs from the musical, released in November 1997. The album received mixed critical reception. While some reviewers praised its fusion of doo-wop, rockabilly, and Caribbean music, Songs from The Capeman proved to be a commercial failure, marking the first time in Simon's career that he did not reach the Top 40 of the Billboard charts. The cast album, initially unreleased on CD, eventually became available online.

1999–2007: You're the One and Surprise

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Simon made various television appearances. He voiced the character of Simple Simon in the Disney Channel TV movie Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme and had cameos in the series Millennium and the film The Great Buck Howard. In the late 1990s, Simon penned and produced the Broadway musical The Capeman, which incurred a loss of $11 million during its 1998 run. Following the challenges of The Capeman, Simon's career faced an unexpected crossroads, yet he persevered, continuing to record new material. In 1999, he embarked on a three-month North American tour with Bob Dylan, where they alternated headline sets and performed together during a shared segment. This collaboration was generally well-received, with only a few critics, such as Seth Rogovoy of the Berkshire Eagle, questioning its synergy.

In 2000, Simon wrote and recorded a new album, You're the One, in a remarkably short timeframe. Released in October, the album primarily featured his signature folk-pop songwriting style interwoven with global musical influences, particularly grooves from North Africa. The album garnered favorable reviews, reached the Top 20 in both British and American charts, and received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. Simon undertook extensive touring to support the album, with one performance in Paris later released on home video. In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Simon performed "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on America: A Tribute to Heroes, a multi-network broadcast benefiting the September 11 Telethon Fund. He also performed "The Boxer" at the commencement of the first episode of Saturday Night Live following the attacks. In 2002, he wrote and recorded "Father and Daughter", the theme song for the animated family film The Wild Thornberrys Movie. This track subsequently received an Academy Award nomination for Best Song.

In 2003, Simon and Garfunkel reunited once more to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. This reunion sparked a U.S. tour, the highly acclaimed "Old Friends" concert series, followed by an international encore in 2004, culminating in a free concert at Rome's Colosseum that attracted an audience of 600,000. In 2005, they performed "Mrs. Robinson" and "Homeward Bound" together, along with "Bridge Over Troubled Water" with Aaron Neville, at the benefit concert From the Big Apple to The Big Easy – The Concert for New Orleans (later released as a DVD) to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. In 2004, Simon's solo studio albums were reissued individually and as a limited-edition, nine-CD boxed set titled Paul Simon: The Studio Recordings 1972–2000. Simon was then collaborating with Brian Eno on a new album, Surprise, which was released in May 2006. Many of the album's songs drew inspiration from the September 11 attacks and the Iraq War. Simon also found inspiration in reaching the milestone age of 60 in 2001, a theme humorously explored in the song "Old" from You're the One. Surprise proved to be a commercial success, reaching number 14 on the Billboard 200 and number 4 in the UK. The album was largely praised by critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic commented, "Simon doesn't achieve his comeback by reconnecting with the sound and spirit of his classic work; he has achieved it by being as restless and ambitious as he was at his popular and creative peak." The album was supported by the Surprise Tour in 2006.

In March 2004, Walter Yetnikoff published Howling at the Moon, a memoir in which he offered critiques of Simon and their past business relationship with Columbia Records. In 2007, Simon was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and he subsequently performed as part of a gala celebrating his work.

2008–2013: So Beautiful or So What and touring

After residing in Montauk, New York, for an extended period, Simon relocated to New Canaan, Connecticut. He is among a select group of artists who retain copyright ownership of their recordings, a distinction not commonly held by musicians, who often cede such rights to their record labels. This development occurred subsequent to the Bee Gees' successful $200 million lawsuit against RSO Records, which represented a significant legal victory for artists against record companies. All of Simon's solo recordings, including those originally released by Columbia Records, are now distributed by Sony Records' Legacy Recordings division. His albums were released by Warner Music Group until mid-2010, at which point Simon transferred his catalog of solo work from Warner Bros. Records to Sony/Columbia Records, the label that holds the Simon & Garfunkel catalog.

In April 2008, Songs From the Capeman was staged at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, featuring original cast members and the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Simon made appearances during the BAM shows, performing "Trailways Bus" and "Late in the Evening". In February 2009, Simon performed two consecutive shows in New York City at the newly renovated Beacon Theatre. For the first show, he was joined by Garfunkel and members of The Capeman cast. The band included Bakithi Kumalo, the bassist from the Graceland sessions. In May 2009, Simon toured with Garfunkel in Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. In October of that year, they performed together at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts. At this event, Simon engaged in a duet with Dion on "The Wanderer" and joined Graham Nash and David Crosby for a rendition of "Here Comes the Sun". In April 2010, Simon & Garfunkel reunited again at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. In August 2010, The Capeman was presented for three nights at the Delacorte Theatre in New York's Central Park. The production was directed by Diane Paulus and co-produced with the Public Theater.

Simon released a new song, "Getting Ready for Christmas Day," on November 10, 2010. The track incorporated a sample from a 1941 sermon by J. M. Gates and premiered on National Public Radio. Simon performed the song on The Colbert Report on December 16, 2010. During the inaugural episode of the final season of The Oprah Winfrey Show on September 10, 2010, Simon performed an updated version of a song he had written for the show's tenth anniversary, commemorating its 25-year run. Simon's subsequent album, So Beautiful or So What, was released on the Concord Music Group label on April 12, 2011. Simon expressed his belief that it was the best work he had produced in two decades. It was also reported that he had hoped to feature Bob Dylan on the album. At the conclusion of his 2011 World Tour, which spanned the U.S., UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany, Simon performed at Ramat Gan Stadium in Israel in July 2011, marking his first concert appearance in the country since 1983. On the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, he performed "The Sound of Silence" at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York, on the site where the World Trade Center once stood.

On February 26, 2012, Simon paid tribute to fellow musicians Leonard Cohen and Chuck Berry, who were honored with the inaugural PEN Awards for songwriting excellence at the JFK Presidential Library. In 2012, Simon released a 25th-anniversary box set of Graceland. This comprehensive collection included a remastered edition of the original album, the 2012 documentary film Under African Skies, the original 1987 "African Concert" from Zimbabwe, an audio narrative titled The Story of Graceland narrated by Simon, and additional interviews and memorabilia. He performed a limited number of concerts in Europe with the original musicians to commemorate the anniversary. On December 19, 2012, Simon performed at the funeral of Victoria Leigh Soto, a teacher tragically killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. In September 2013, he delivered the Richard Ellmann Lecture in Modern Literature at Emory University.

2014–2022: Stranger to Stranger and In the Blue Light

In 2014, Simon embarked on a joint 21-date concert tour of North America, titled On Stage Together, with English musician Sting. The tour extended into 2015 with ten shows in Australia and New Zealand, followed by 23 dates across Europe.

Simon made a surprise appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on September 11, 2015. He performed "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" with Colbert, having been billed prior to the show as a Simon & Garfunkel Tribute Band. He also performed "American Tune," a performance that was subsequently uploaded to the show's YouTube channel. In 2015, Dion released the single "New York Is My Home" featuring Simon.

Simon wrote and performed the theme song for comedian Louis C.K.'s show Horace and Pete, which debuted on January 30, 2016. The song is featured during the show's opening, intermission, and closing credits, showcasing Simon's voice and acoustic guitar. Simon also made a cameo appearance onscreen in the series' final episode. On June 3, 2016, he released his 13th solo studio album, Stranger to Stranger, on Concord Records.

In 2011, Simon was introduced to Italian electronic dance music artist Clap! Clap! by his son, Adrian, who was an admirer of Clap! Clap!'s work. They met in 2011 during Simon's So Beautiful or So What tour in Italy. Simon collaborated with Clap! Clap! on three songs and also worked with longtime associate Roy Halee, who co-produced the album. Following the album's release, Simon expressed a waning interest in the "showbiz" aspect of his career and alluded to retirement, stating, "I am going to see what happens if I let go." During the 2010s, he made brief appearances in television shows such as Portlandia, Welcome to Sweden, and Horace & Pete. He was also featured as an interviewee and musical guest on numerous talk shows, including The Dick Cavett Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Colbert Report, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He was the subject of two films by [Jeremy Marre], one focusing on the creation of Graceland and the other on The Capeman.

Simon performed "Bridge over Troubled Water" at the 2016 Democratic National Convention on July 25, 2016. He debuted a new rendition of "Questions for the Angels" with jazz guitarist Bill Frisell on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on May 24, 2017. On February 5, 2018, Simon announced his intention to retire from touring, citing the extensive time away from his family and the recent death of his longtime guitarist, Vincent Nguini. He did, however, leave the door open for future live performances. He commenced a farewell concert tour, "Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour," in May 2018 in Vancouver, Canada, performing shows across North America and Europe. His final concert took place in Queens, New York, on September 22, 2018.

In 2018, Simon released his 14th solo studio album, In the Blue Light. This album featured re-recordings of lesser-known songs from his extensive catalog, some with significantly altered arrangements, harmonic structures, and lyrical content. On August 11, 2019, he returned to live performance, closing San Francisco's Outside Lands festival in Golden Gate Park. He announced his intention to donate his net proceeds from the performance to local environmental nonprofit organizations. [American Songwriter] magazine honored Dion's song "Song for Sam Cooke (Here in America)", featuring Simon, as the "Greatest of the Great 2020 Songs." In March 2021, Simon sold his music publishing catalog to Sony Music Publishing, having previously been affiliated with Universal Music Publishing Group.

2023–present: Seven Psalms and return to touring

Simon released a new album, Seven Psalms, in April 2023. A documentary chronicling the project, In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon, was directed by Alex Gibney. The album was described as a 33-minute uninterrupted musical meditation, comprising seven pieces performed on acoustic guitar, linked by a motif derived from "Anji". The work incorporated elements of folk, blues, and jazz, with lyrics that explore themes of life, death, and faith. The inspiration for the album struck Simon in 2020. He recounted, "I had a dream so vivid it made me get up in the middle of the night and write it down... a voice said 'You are meant to be working on a piece called 'Seven Psalms'." Over the subsequent months, while isolated on a Texas ranch due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Simon developed a series of guitar pieces, incorporating sounds such as distant church bells produced by amplified upside-down wine glasses. He stated, "I envisioned Seven Psalms as one long thought, combined with sounds powerful enough to make the thought come alive." In December 2023, Simon rehearsed Seven Psalms with two acoustic guitarists, expressing a renewed desire to perform live and a hope that it might be possible to present the album in concert.

Simon had initially planned to retire from music altogether. However, following the positive reception of Seven Psalms, he composed an additional song, developed four more guitar pieces, and began planning an album of duets with his wife, singer Edie Brickell. He was also in the nascent stages of developing a new musical. In a May 2023 interview with The Times, he disclosed that he had lost most of the hearing in his left ear. In February 2025, Simon performed "Homeward Bound" with Sabrina Carpenter during a 50th-anniversary special for Saturday Night Live. That same month, he announced the "Quiet Celebration Tour," a series of performances in smaller venues across 20 cities in the U.S. and Canada, featuring multiple consecutive nights in most locations. The tour commenced with two shows at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans on April 4 and 5, and concluded with two filmed performances at McCaw Hall in Seattle on August 5 and 6, 2025.

Songwriting

In a 2012 interview reprinted in American Songwriter, Simon engaged in a discussion about the craft of songwriting with music journalist Tom Moon. He elaborated on the recurring themes in his work: love, family, social commentary, religion, spirituality, and God. He articulated his process: "The music always precedes the words. The words often come from the sound of the music and eventually evolve into coherent thoughts. Or incoherent thoughts. Rhythm plays a crucial part in the lyric-making as well. It's like a puzzle to find the right words to express what the music is saying."

Saturday Night Live

Simon made his debut as host of SNL on October 18, 1975, appearing in the second episode of the inaugural season. On the Thanksgiving Day episode of SNL on November 20, 1976, Simon appeared alongside George Harrison, and together they performed "Here Comes the Sun" and "Homeward Bound". Simon opened the show in a memorable comedy sketch where he performed "Still Crazy After All These Years" while dressed in a turkey costume, with Thanksgiving just a week away. Midway through the song, he halted the band, citing embarrassment, delivered a speech to the audience, and walked off stage. Lorne Michaels greeted him backstage, but Simon, still feigning indignation, berated him about the humiliating turkey costume. This sketch remains one of SNL's most frequently replayed segments.

In a 1986 SNL skit, while promoting Graceland, Simon portrayed himself waiting in line with a friend to see a movie. He astonished his friend by recalling intricate details of past encounters with passers-by, only to draw a complete blank when Art Garfunkel approached him. During an SNL episode in 1988, when he was hosting amidst the 1988 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Simon walked out with Illinois Senator and presidential candidate Paul Simon, humorously debating which Paul Simon was meant to be hosting duties.

On September 29, 2001, Simon performed "The Boxer" as the cold open for the first SNL episode to air after the September 11 attacks, which also marked the beginning of the show's 2001-2002 season.

Simon closed the 40th anniversary SNL show on February 15, 2015, with a performance of "Still Crazy After All These Years." He played a snippet of "I've Just Seen a Face" with Sir Paul McCartney during the introductory sequence. A significant portion of the Thanksgiving episode from 1976 was re-aired during this prime-time special. On October 13, 2018, his 77th birthday, he served as the musical guest. His most recent SNL appearance was on February 16, 2025, when Paul Simon performed "Homeward Bound" alongside Sabrina Carpenter for the opening of the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special.

Credits

Film

Year Title Credit(s) Role Notes
1967 The Graduate Songs by — With Art Garfunkel
1975 Shampoo Composer —
1977 Annie Hall Actor Tony Lacey Acting debut
1980 One-Trick Pony Actor, writer, composer Jonah
1985 The Statue of Liberty Composer —
1996 Mother Composer — Mrs. Robinson – Movie Theme Song
2002 The Wild Thornberrys Movie Composer — Wrote and Performed: "Father and Daughter"
2008 The Great Buck Howard Actor Grateful Old Performer
2014 Henry & Me Actor Thurman Munson Voice; Animated film

Television

Year Title Credit(s) Role Notes
1975–2018 Saturday Night Live Performer Himself / Various 18 episodes
1978 All You Need Is Cash Actor Paul Simon Television film
1990 Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme Actor Simple Simon Television film
1999 Millennium Actor John Dryden Episode: "Via Dolorosa"
2008 The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg Deluxe Set Composer — Documentary
2015 Portlandia Actor — Episode: "You Can Call Me Al"
2015 Welcome To Sweden Actor — Episode: "American Club"
2015 Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special Himself — Performed: "Still Crazy After All These Years"
2016 Horace and Pete Composer, Actor Customer Composed show's opening theme music
2023 In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon Himself — Documentary
2025 Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special Himself — Performed: "Homeward Bound"

Theater

Awards, Legacy, and Honors

Simon has amassed sixteen Grammy Awards for his solo and collaborative work, including three for Album of the Year: Bridge Over Troubled Water (1971), Still Crazy After All These Years (1976), and Graceland (1988), as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award. He is one of only eight artists to have won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year more than once as the primary credited artist. In 1998, Simon was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for the Simon & Garfunkel album Bridge over Troubled Water. In 2002, he received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for his song "Father and Daughter."

Simon's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has also occurred twice: first in 1990 as a member of Simon & Garfunkel, and again in 2001 for his solo career. In 2011, Rolling Stone recognized him as one of the 100 greatest guitarists, and in 2015, he was ranked 8th in their list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. In 2023, Rolling Stone placed him at number 246 on their list of the greatest guitarists of all time. In 2001, Simon was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year. In 2002, he was among the five recipients of the annual Kennedy Center Honors, the nation's highest tribute to performing and cultural artists. In 2005, Simon was recognized at the BMI Pop Awards. His songwriting catalog had accumulated 39 BMI Awards, including numerous citations for such enduring songs as "Bridge over Troubled Water," "Mrs. Robinson," "Scarborough Fair," and "The Sound of Silence." In 2006, he was named by Time Magazine as one of the "100 People Who Shaped the World."

In 2007, Simon became the inaugural recipient of the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. This award, established in honor of George and [Ira Gershwin], acknowledges the profound and positive influence of popular music on global culture. Simon expressed his gratitude: "I am grateful to be the recipient of the Gershwin Prize and doubly honored to be the first. I look forward to spending an evening in the company of artists I admire at the award ceremony in May. I can think of a few [artists] who have expressed my words and music far better than I [have]. I'm excited at the prospect of that happening again. It's a songwriter's dream come true." The tribute concert featured performances by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Lyle Lovett, James Taylor, Dianne Reeves, Marc Anthony, Yolanda Adams, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The event was professionally filmed and broadcast, later released as Paul Simon and Friends. In 2012, Simon was awarded the Polar Music Prize.

Personal Life

Relationships and Marriages

Upon his arrival in England in 1964, Simon encountered Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Chitty at the Railway Inn Folk Club in Brentwood, Essex, where she worked part-time selling tickets. They began a relationship when she was 18 and he was 22. They later toured the U.S. together, primarily by bus. Kathy returned to England, and Simon followed weeks later. When he returned to the U.S. amidst the burgeoning success of "The Sounds of Silence," Kathy, described as quite shy, recoiled from the prospect of fame and ended their relationship. She is referenced by name in at least two of Simon's songs, "Kathy's Song" and "America". Additionally, she is alluded to in "Homeward Bound" and "The Late Great Johnny Ace". A photograph of Simon and Kathy adorns the cover of Simon's 1965 album The Paul Simon Songbook.

Peggy Harper

Simon has been married three times. His first marriage was to Peggy Harper in 1969. Their son, Harper Simon, was born in 1972, and they divorced in 1975, an event that inspired the song "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover". Simon reflected on this relationship in the song "Train in the Distance" from his 1983 album Hearts and Bones. In the late 1970s, Simon lived in New York City, neighboring Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, who has been described as Simon's "best friend" during that period.

Carrie Fisher

Simon met actress Shelley Duvall in 1976 during the filming of Annie Hall. They lived together for two years until Duvall introduced him to her friend, actress Carrie Fisher. Simon and Fisher began dating in 1978 and were married from 1983 to 1984. He proposed to her after a New York Yankees game. The song "Hearts and Bones" is said to be about their time together, and "Graceland" is believed to have been written as a solace-seeking road trip following the end of their relationship. A year after their divorce, Simon and Fisher resumed their relationship, which continued for several years.

Edie Brickell

Simon married singer Edie Brickell on May 30, 1992. Brickell and Simon have three children: Adrian, Lulu, and Gabriel. On April 26, 2014, Simon and Brickell were involved in a domestic dispute at their Connecticut residence, resulting in each being issued a summons to appear in court on disorderly conduct charges.

Family and Interests

All four of Simon's children are now adults and are musicians. Simon and his younger brother, Eddie Simon, established the Guitar Study Center sometime before 1973. The Guitar Study Center later became affiliated with The New School in New York City, prior to 2002.

Simon is a devoted fan of the New York Rangers ice hockey team, the New York Knicks basketball team, and the New York Yankees baseball team.

Philanthropy

Simon is a staunch advocate for music education for children. In 1970, shortly after recording "Bridge Over Troubled Water," he organized auditions for a youth songwriting workshop at the invitation of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. The auditions, advertised in The Village Voice, attracted hundreds of aspiring young songwriters. Among the six teenagers selected for mentorship were Melissa Manchester, Tommy Mandel, and the rock/beat poet Joe Linus. Maggie and Terre Roche (the Roche Sisters), who would later provide backup vocals for Simon, joined the workshop mid-process with an impromptu performance.

Simon invited the six teenagers to experience the recording process at Columbia studios under the guidance of engineer Roy Halee. During these sessions, Bob Dylan was simultaneously downstairs recording his album Self-Portrait, which included a rendition of Simon's "The Boxer". Violinist Isaac Stern visited the group with a CBS film crew, engaging the young musicians in discussions about lyrics and music. Manchester later paid tribute to Simon with her recorded song "Ode to Paul." Other musicians Simon mentored include Nick Laird-Clowes, who co-founded the band the Dream Academy. Laird-Clowes credited Simon with significantly influencing the shaping of the band's most successful hit, "Life in a Northern Town".

In 2003, Simon became a supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free musical instruments and lessons to children in U.S. public schools. He serves on the organization's board of directors as an honorary member. Simon is also a principal benefactor and co-founder, alongside Irwin Redlener, of the Children's Health Project and The Children's Health Fund. This initiative began by deploying specially equipped buses to deliver medical care to children in medically underserved urban and rural areas. Their initial bus was deployed in the impoverished South Bronx in New York City, and the program has since expanded to operate in 12 states, including along the Gulf Coast. The project has grown considerably, forging partnerships with major hospitals, local public schools, and medical schools, and actively advocates for policies supporting children's health and medical care.

In May 2012, Paul Simon performed at a benefit dinner for the Turkana Basin Institute in New York City, raising over $2 million for Richard Leakey's research institute in Africa. For his 2019 performance at San Francisco's Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, Simon donated his appearance fee to the San Francisco Parks Alliance and Friends of the Urban Forest. After reading Peter Singer's book The Life You Can Save, Simon became a proponent of effective altruism, a movement that utilizes evidence to determine how charitable giving can achieve the greatest impact. He reflected, “You really have to know what and to whom you’re giving this money. All these years I had been doing these benefit concerts with all my friends and musicians. We’d come. We’d play. We pack up our guitars. We leave. And nobody ever says, ‘Where’d that money go?’” In 2015, he performed a benefit concert for the Fistula Foundation.

Discography

This discography excludes compilation albums, concert albums, and works with Simon & Garfunkel. Simon's solo concert albums frequently feature songs originally recorded with Simon & Garfunkel, and conversely, many Simon & Garfunkel concert albums include songs Simon first recorded on his solo albums.

Simon has a few songs that appear exclusively on compilation albums, such as "Slip Slidin' Away", which first appeared on the compilation album Greatest Hits, Etc. (1977) and has since been included in subsequent compilations like Negotiations and Love Songs (1988).

Solo Studio Albums

Bibliography

  • Kingston, Victoria (1996). Simon and Garfunkel: The Definitive Biography. London: Sidgwick & Jackson. p. 308. ISBN) 9780283062674.
  • Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits. Billboard Books. ISBN) 0-8230-7677-6.

See also