Simon, Paul

Simon, Paul, 1941–, American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, b. Newark, N.J. A polished and intelligent folk-rock lyricist and performer, he first gained fame as half of Simon and Garfunkel. Not long after their highly successful album Bridge over Troubled Water (1970), Simon split with Garfunkel and pursued a solo career, releasing the album Paul Simon in 1972. In his solo work, Simon has used a startling variety of national and international styles, mingling them with an idiosyncratic and highly personal content. His folk-inflected and often introspective songs of the 1970s are typified by the album Still Crazy after All These Years (1975). Simon broadened his themes in Graceland (1986), one of the most popular albums of the decade, which featured several African musicians, including the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His next album, The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), explored Afro-Brazilian music. After the failure of his Latin-themed Broadway musical The Capeman (1997, written with Derek Walcott), Simon toured (1999) with Bob Dylan. Later albums include You're the One (2000) and Surprise (2006).

Bibliography

See biography, P. Humphries, Paul Simon: Still Crazy after All These Years (1989); M. S. Cohen, Simon and Garfunkel (1977); J. Morella and P. Barey, Simon and Garfunkel (1991); S. Luftig, ed. Paul Simon Companion: Four Decades of Commentary (1997); S. Steinberg, dir., American Masters, Paul Simon (video documentary, 1993).

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Simon, Paul (Frederic)

(born Oct. 13, 1941, Newark, N.J., U.S.) U.S. pop singer and songwriter. Simon began performing with Art Garfunkel (b. 1941) in the 1950s, using the name Tom and Jerry. After a break, the two reunited in 1964 as Simon and Garfunkel. Their first hit single was “Sounds of Silence” (1966); others over the next six years included “Mrs. Robinson” (for the film The Graduate) and “Bridge over Troubled Water.” After the two parted company, Simon released several hit albums, including Still Crazy After All These Years (1975). His Graceland (1986) album, recorded with African musicians, became the most successful and influential of the new genre of world music. Both African music and Brazilian music informed his album The Rhythm of the Saints (1990). With the West Indian poet Derek Walcott he wrote the Broadway musical The Capeman (1998).

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Simon, Paul (1942–  ) singer, composer, lyricist; born in Newark, N.J. Son of teachers (his father also played double bass in a radio orchestra), he got to know Art Garfunkel (1942–  ; b. New York City) in the sixth grade at their Queens (New York City) public school. Sharing an interest in sports and pop music, they began to sing together—Simon played the acoustic guitar—and soon were performing at local social functions. By 1957 they were calling themselves "Tom and Jerry" and had a recording contract; one of their songs, "Hey Schoolgirl," became a minor hit. By 1959 they had drifted apart, Simon going to Queens College, Garfunkel to Columbia University, but by their sophomore year they were reunited and turning to folk music. Simon had continued his professional singing career but after taking his B.A. he briefly attended Brooklyn Law School. They cut their first album as Simon and Garfunkel in 1964, and one of its songs, "Sounds of Silence," was so popular that it was issued as a single and became a top hit. This led to a series of highly successful singles and albums, a constant round of appearances at colleges, on television, tours in Europe and the U.S.A., and special concerts. Their music for the movie The Graduate (1967) included a new hit, "Mrs. Robinson." "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" (1970) was their next big hit. They split up in 1970—Simon simply stated that "I didn't want to be half of something"; they appeared together at a political rally in 1972, but then not again until a 1981 concert in Central Park; they toured together in 1982 and 1983 and thereafter appeared infrequently on special occasions. Garfunkel—who for the most part had simply been singing Simon's compositions—went on to pursue a career as a movie actor (as in Carnal Knowledge, 1971) although he also continued to record solo albums. Simon continued expanding his musical interests and styles and maintained his standing as one of the major figures in popular music. His recordings, such as Still Crazy After All These Years (1975), continued to win awards. He wrote the screenplay and songs as well as starred in the movie One-Trick Pony (1980), and had a small role in Annie Hall (1977). In 1985 he went to South Africa and recorded with some prominent (black) South African musicians; this led to his highly successful album, Graceland (1986), but also to some protests against his being perceived as cooperating with the racist authorities; he denied this and in 1992 was invited by black South Africans to play there. The Rhythm of the Saints (1990) reflected his continuing interest in music from other cultures. He was generous with both his money and musical talents in supporting a variety of charitable causes.