Paul Simon

Who is Paul Simon?

Paul Simon is a celebrated American musician whose career spans several decades and genres, with notable achievements both as a solo artist and as part of the iconic duo Simon & Garfunkel. He rose to prominence through his partnership with Art Garfunkel and further cemented his musical legacy with the release of Graceland, an album that introduced a fusion of world music with pop and rock. Simon’s influence extends across various cultures and musical traditions, having collaborated with artists from around the world. With numerous hits, accolades, and critical acclaim, Simon was named one of Time magazine’s “100 People Who Shaped the World” in 2006, underscoring his impact on both the music industry and global culture.

Early Life

Born on October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, Paul Simon grew up in a family immersed in education and music. His mother, Belle, was an English teacher, and his father, Louis, was both a teacher and a bandleader. These influences would shape Simon’s early affinity for music and storytelling. The family often gathered to watch television shows like The Jackie Gleason Show and Arthur Godfrey and His Friends, where Simon’s passion for music was further nurtured.

Simon’s musical journey began in Queens, New York, where he met Art Garfunkel at Forest Hills High School. Simon was inspired to pursue singing after hearing Garfunkel perform in a talent show, with a classmate’s praise motivating him to take the leap. The two formed a duo called “Tom and Jerry,” using pseudonyms to avoid any ethnic connotations. They performed at school dances and frequented New York’s Brill Building, where Simon worked as a demo singer and songwriter, earning $15 per song. By 1957, the duo recorded their first hit single, “Hey Schoolgirl,” which earned them a spot on American Bandstand and began their professional careers.

Though Tom and Jerry initially found success, their later attempts to record additional hits were unsuccessful, leading them to pursue separate paths. Garfunkel attended Columbia University to study art history, while Simon enrolled at Queens College. Simon continued his work as a session musician and songwriter, learning the intricacies of studio production and the music business—a foundation that would prove essential to his career. Simon later credited his New York upbringing as key to his knowledge of the industry, a sentiment he shared with John Lennon, who was curious about Simon’s understanding of the business during a conversation years later.

Simon & Garfunkel: Early Career and Breakthrough

Simon & Garfunkel, one of the most iconic musical duos in history, initially formed in the late 1950s, but it wasn’t until a chance encounter years later that they reunited to release their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., under their real names. The album, which contained five original songs by Paul Simon, was not a commercial success. However, it did feature an early, acoustic rendition of “The Sound of Silence,” a track that would eventually become pivotal in their rise to stardom.

Following the album’s failure, Paul Simon ventured to Europe, where he busked in France, Spain, and England, often living in precarious conditions. During this period, he fell in love with his first muse, Kathy, and recorded a solo album, The Paul Simon Songbook (1965). Although the album did not sell widely, it included songs like “I Am a Rock” and “Kathy’s Song,” both of which would later become beloved by fans. The album’s liner notes revealed Simon’s internal struggle, expressing doubt about his own talent, but in reality, he was thriving in London—playing well-paid gigs and enjoying his time abroad.

The Sound of Silence and Commercial Success

Back in the United States, producer Tom Wilson, who had previously worked with Bob Dylan, reworked “The Sound of Silence” in the studio and released it as a single. The song quickly became a #1 hit, propelling Simon & Garfunkel into the mainstream. Simon returned to the U.S. and moved back into his parents’ home. He fondly recalls a moment when, while hanging out with Garfunkel, they heard their chart-topping song on the radio. Garfunkel, reflecting on their unexpected success, remarked, “That Simon & Garfunkel, they must be having a great time.”

In 1966, Simon & Garfunkel released their second album, Sounds of Silence, which was met with commercial success. Three of its tracks charted in the Top 10. The duo followed with Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme later that year, and then Bookends in 1968. Their contribution to the soundtrack of The Graduate (1967), a film starring Dustin Hoffman, was another milestone, further solidifying their status as one of the most influential acts of the era. Despite their growing success, however, tensions within the partnership were beginning to surface.

Bridge Over Troubled Water and the End of an Era

Simon & Garfunkel’s final album of original material, Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970), marked the pinnacle of their career. With its innovative studio production and gospel influences, the album became a cultural phenomenon. The title track, in particular, became an anthem of the 1960s generation. However, while Simon was eager to explore new musical directions, such as his work on the track “El Condor Pasa,” inspired by a melody performed by the South American group Los Incas, Garfunkel was pursuing acting, with roles in films like Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge.

By the time the album won six Grammy Awards, the duo’s career paths had begun to diverge. After years of collaboration, both Simon and Garfunkel were ready to move on, and they officially parted ways in 1970.

Solo Career

In 1972, Paul Simon embarked on a solo career, recording his self-titled album. With tracks like “Mother and Child Reunion” (named after a dish at a Chinese restaurant) and “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” Simon marked a significant departure from his earlier work, earning critical acclaim despite initial skepticism. Though he still humorously claims to be unsure of what exactly he and Julio were doing by the schoolyard, the song became a major hit. Throughout the early 1970s, Simon’s career flourished, with successful singles from There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, Live Rhymin’, and Still Crazy After All These Years, the latter of which won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Inspired by his appearance in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall, Simon ventured into filmmaking in 1980 with One-Trick Pony, both writing and starring in the film. While the movie itself was a commercial failure, the soundtrack produced the hit single “Late in the Evening”. However, the limited success of the single signaled a slump in Simon’s career. In 1981, he reunited with Art Garfunkel for a free concert in Central Park, which attracted a record-breaking 500,000 people at the time (a number Simon surpassed with a solo performance in 1991, which drew 750,000). The resulting live album was a commercial success, and the duo toured together. However, their plans to record new material together led to creative disagreements, ultimately resulting in a lengthy estrangement. The album they had hoped to create together, Hearts and Bones, became a Simon solo project, though despite its strong material, it was a commercial failure.

‘Graceland’ and Subsequent Projects

In the 1980s, Simon developed a deep interest in African and Brazilian music. This led him to South Africa in 1985, where he began working on Graceland, an album that fused rock, zydeco, Tex-Mex, Zulu choral music, and mbaqanga (or “township jive”). The decision to record in South Africa, violating an ongoing cultural boycott, was controversial, but Simon was determined to share these vibrant sounds with the world. Graceland became an unexpected success, not only winning the Grammy for Album of the Year but also bringing South African music to global prominence, helping to restore Simon’s superstardom. It also marked the beginning of Simon’s enduring collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, a South African vocal group. In 2012, Graceland’s impact was further acknowledged with the documentary Under African Skies, which premiered at Sundance and featured interviews with Simon, Harry Belafonte, Quincy Jones, and the musicians involved in the original recording.

Following Graceland, Simon released The Rhythm of the Saints in 1990, which incorporated Latin American influences. While it did not match the success of Graceland, it still achieved commercial success and garnered two Grammy nominations.

In 1997, Simon turned his attention to Broadway, writing and producing The Capeman. Despite closing after only 68 performances due to critical backlash, the musical received three Tony Award nominations.

Simon continued to produce successful albums in the 2000s, with You’re the One (2000), Surprise (2006), and So Beautiful or So What (2011) all receiving Grammy nominations and achieving commercial success. In 2003, he received his first Oscar nomination for “Father and Daughter”, a song written for The Wild Thornberrys Movie soundtrack, which featured backing vocals from his son Adrian.

Simon’s passion for live performances persisted, with tours alongside Garfunkel and numerous other collaborators. In 2014, he embarked on a yearlong world tour with Sting, a friendship that began when both musicians lived in the same New York City apartment building in the late 1980s. Two years later, Simon wrote and performed the theme song for Louis C.K.’s TV show Horace and Pete and appeared in its final episode.

Throughout his career, Simon has maintained a close relationship with Saturday Night Live and its creator, Lorne Michaels, having appeared on the show 15 times, both as host and musical guest, including a memorable appearance alongside Illinois Senator Paul Simon.

Charity Work

A committed philanthropist, Simon has been an active contributor to and fundraiser for numerous local and global charitable causes. He has raised millions of dollars for organizations such as amfAR, The Nature Conservancy, The Fund for Imprisoned Children in South Africa, The Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, and Autism Speaks. In 1987, Simon co-founded the Children’s Health Fund, which launched a mobile medical clinic to provide healthcare services to homeless children. Today, the organization operates a fleet of 50 mobile medical, dental, and mental health clinics, which became a critical healthcare resource in communities devastated by Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina.

Simon’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare for underserved children earned him the 2014 Service to America Leadership Award.

Personal Life

Simon’s personal life has been marked by significant relationships and family milestones. His first marriage, to Peggy Harper, ended in divorce but produced a son, Harper, who has since pursued a career in music. His second marriage, to actress and writer Carrie Fisher, inspired many of the songs on Simon’s albums Hearts and Bones and Graceland. However, the couple divorced in 1984 after several attempts at reconciliation. In 1992, Simon married singer Edie Brickell, with whom he shares three children. The family divides their time between New York and Connecticut. Outside of his musical endeavors, Simon enjoys coaching his son’s baseball team and remains an avid fan of the sport.

Simon’s 2016 album Stranger to Stranger debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, marking his highest debut ever, and topped the UK Albums Chart. The album cover features a painting of Simon by renowned artist Chuck Close.

Awards and Recognition

Simon has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including 13 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. In 2001, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2007, he became the first-ever recipient of the Library of Congress’s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

In 2016, Simon shared his perspective on songwriting with NPR, reflecting on his creative journey: “I really wonder what would happen to my creative impulses, which seem to come on a regular basis; every three, four years they manifest themselves. And by habit, they manifest themselves as songs. But this is really the decision of a 13-year-old. Me, who said, at 13, ‘No, I want to write songs.’ So I’m doing it 60 years later. This 13-year-old is still telling me what to do.”