Paul Simon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Simon
Simon in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Paul Frederic Simon
Born	(1941-10-13) October 13, 1941 (age 83) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Origin	New York City, U.S.
Died	Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day
Genres	Folk rock pop world
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter actor
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1956–present
Labels	Columbia Warner Bros. Concord
Signature

Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is famous for his solo music. He is also known for working with Art Garfunkel. They met in elementary school in 1953.

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel became very popular in the 1960s as Simon & Garfunkel. Their music mixed folk and rock styles. They had many hit songs like "The Sound of Silence" (1965) and "Mrs. Robinson" (1968). Their songs were a big part of the 1960s culture. Their last album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970), is one of the best-selling albums ever.

As a solo artist, Simon explored many music styles. These included gospel, reggae, and soul. His albums Paul Simon (1972) and Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) were very popular. They featured hits like "Mother and Child Reunion" (1972) and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (1975). Simon and Garfunkel reunited for tours. One famous reunion was the 1981 Concert in Central Park.

In 1986, Simon released Graceland. This album was very successful and praised by critics. It used music influences from South Africa. The song "You Can Call Me Al" became one of his biggest hits. He continued to make music and tour in the 2000s. His recent albums include So Beautiful or So What (2011) and Seven Psalms (2023).

Paul Simon has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. He has won 16 Grammy Awards. This includes three awards for Album of the Year. His albums Sounds of Silence (1966) and Graceland are in the National Recording Registry. This means they are important for their cultural meaning. In 2007, he won the first Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Simon also helped start the Children's Health Fund. This group helps provide medical care for children.

Growing Up and Starting Music

Paul Simon was born on October 13, 1941. His family lived in Newark, New Jersey. His parents were from Hungary and were Jewish. His father, Louis, was a music professor and played the double bass. His mother, Belle, was an elementary school teacher. In 1945, his family moved to Flushing, Queens, in New York City.

Simon met Art Garfunkel when they were 11 years old. They performed together in a school play. They started singing together at age 13. They sometimes sang at school dances. When Simon was 12 or 13, he wrote his first song, "The Girl for Me." His father helped them write down the music and words. This became the first copyrighted Simon and Garfunkel song. It is now kept in the Library of Congress.

In 1957, when they were teenagers, they recorded "Hey, Schoolgirl." They used the name "Tom & Jerry." This song reached number 49 on the pop music charts. After high school, Simon studied English at Queens College. He graduated in 1963.

Music Career Highlights

Between 1957 and 1964, Simon wrote and recorded over 30 songs. He and Garfunkel sometimes recorded as Tom & Jerry. But most of Simon's songs during this time were solo. He used different names like "Jerry Landis" and "Paul Kane."

Becoming Simon & Garfunkel

In early 1964, Simon and Garfunkel tried out for Columbia Records. They signed a deal to make an album. Columbia decided to call them Simon & Garfunkel. Their first album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., came out in October 1964. It had 12 songs, and Simon wrote five of them. The album was not popular at first.

Simon in 1966

In 1965, Simon moved to London and played in folk clubs. He loved his time in England. He learned how to play acoustic guitar from other folk musicians. He wrote songs like "Homeward Bound" there. He also learned the guitar song "Anji."

Later, radio stations in America started playing "The Sound of Silence" from their first album. Their producer, Tom Wilson, added electric guitar, bass, and drums to the song. It was released as a single and became number 1 in the U.S. Simon was surprised when he heard it. The song's success brought Simon back to the U.S. to sing with Garfunkel again. They then recorded more albums like Sounds of Silence (1966) and Bookends (1968).

Art Garfunkel (left) and Paul Simon (right) performing as Simon & Garfunkel

Simon & Garfunkel also made music for the movie The Graduate (1967). They wrote the famous song "Mrs. Robinson" for the film. Simon and Garfunkel's friendship became difficult, and they broke up in 1970. Their last album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970), was a huge success. The title song was number one.

Solo Success in the 1970s

After the duo split, Simon started his solo career. In 1970, he taught songwriting at New York University. He wanted to help new songwriters learn from his experiences.

Simon's next album, Paul Simon, came out in January 1972. It included the reggae-inspired song "Mother and Child Reunion." This song was recorded with Jimmy Cliff's band. The album was very popular in the U.S. and UK. It also had the hit song "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard."

His next album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon, was released in May 1973. The song "Kodachrome" was a number 2 hit. Another song, "Loves Me Like a Rock," was also very popular.

In October 1975, Simon released Still Crazy After All These Years. This album was written after his divorce. It included a song with Art Garfunkel called "My Little Town." This album was his only number 1 album on the Billboard charts. It won the Album of the Year at the Grammys. The song "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" from this album also reached number one.

New Directions and Graceland

After three successful albums, Simon worked on different projects. He wrote music for the movie Shampoo (1975). He also acted in Woody Allen's movie Annie Hall (1977). His song "Slip Slidin' Away" was a top 5 hit in 1977.

In 1980, Simon released One-Trick Pony. This was his first album with Warner Bros. Records. He also wrote and starred in a movie of the same name. The song "Late in the Evening" was a hit.

In 1981, Simon & Garfunkel performed together in The Concert in Central Park. This concert was a huge success. They later planned to record a new album together. But Simon decided to release the songs as a solo album instead. This album was Hearts and Bones (1983). It included "The Late Great Johnny Ace," a song about the deaths of two musicians.

Miriam Makeba and Paul Simon (1986)

In 1986, Simon released his most famous album, Graceland. He recorded it with African musicians in Johannesburg, South Africa. He also worked with American artists like Linda Ronstadt. The album was a huge success, selling over 16 million copies worldwide. Graceland won the Album of the Year in 1987. It was also added to the National Recording Registry.

Some people criticized Simon for recording in South Africa. At the time, there was a cultural boycott against the country's apartheid system. Simon said he paid the black artists fairly and did not support the government. The United Nations Anti-Apartheid Committee later supported Graceland. In 1992, Nelson Mandela invited Simon and his band to play in South Africa.

After Graceland, Simon released The Rhythm of the Saints in 1990. This album had Brazilian music influences. It was also very popular and received good reviews. In August 1991, Simon held another concert in Central Park. About 48,500 people attended. This concert was a memorable moment in his career.

Later Albums and Projects

In 1993, Simon & Garfunkel reunited again. Columbia Records released a collection of Simon's songs called Paul Simon 1964/1993.

Simon worked on a Broadway musical called The Capeman. It opened in 1998. The musical told the true story of a Puerto Rican youth named Salvador Agron. Simon worked on it for many years. He also released an album of songs from the show. The musical received mixed reviews and was not a big success.

After The Capeman, Simon continued to make new music. In 1999, he toured with Bob Dylan. In 2000, he released the album You're the One. This album mixed folk-pop with sounds from North Africa. It was well-received and nominated for a Grammy.

After the September 11 attacks, Simon sang "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on a TV special. In 2002, he wrote "Father and Daughter" for the movie The Wild Thornberrys Movie. This song was nominated for an Oscar.

In 2003, Simon and Garfunkel performed together again. They received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. This led to a U.S. tour called "Old Friends." In 2004, they played a free concert at the Colosseum in Rome. About 600,000 people watched.

In 2006, Simon released a new album called Surprise. He worked with Brian Eno on this album. Many songs were inspired by the September 11 attacks. The album was a commercial success.

Paul Simon performing live in Mainz, Germany, July 25, 2008

In 2011, Simon released So Beautiful or So What. He said it was his best work in 20 years. He toured the world to promote it. On the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, he sang "The Sound of Silence" at the memorial site in New York.

Paul Simon in 2012

In 2014, Simon toured with English musician Sting. The tour was called "On Stage Together." In 2016, he released his 13th solo album, Stranger to Stranger. He worked with Italian electronic artist Clap! Clap! on some songs.

In 2018, Simon announced he would stop touring. He said he wanted more time with his family. He started a farewell tour called "Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour." He played his last concert in Queens, New York, on September 22, 2018.

In 2018, Simon released In the Blue Light. This album had new versions of his lesser-known songs. In 2019, he performed at the Outside Lands festival in San Francisco. He donated his earnings to environmental groups.

Recent Work

Simon released a new album, Seven Psalms, in April 2023. This album is a 33-minute musical meditation. It has seven songs played on acoustic guitar. The songs are about life, death, and faith. Simon said the idea for the album came to him in a dream.

In December 2023, Simon rehearsed Seven Psalms with other guitarists. He said he missed performing live. In February 2025, Simon performed "Homeward Bound" with Sabrina Carpenter for the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special. He also announced a new tour called the Quiet Celebration Tour. This tour will feature performances in smaller venues.

How Paul Simon Writes Songs

In 2012, Paul Simon talked about how he writes songs. He said the music usually comes before the words. The words often come from the sound of the music. He tries to find words that fit what the music is saying. Rhythm is also very important in his songwriting. He said it's like solving a puzzle. His songs often explore themes like love, family, and spirituality.

Other Projects

Film and Television Appearances

Paul Simon has also acted in movies and TV shows. He played a music producer in the 1977 movie Annie Hall. He also wrote and starred in the 1980 movie One Trick Pony. He wrote all the songs for that film.

He appeared on The Muppet Show in 1981. He also made several appearances on Sesame Street in the 1970s and 1980s. He sang "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" on Sesame Street in 1977. In the 2010s, he had small roles in shows like Portlandia. He has also been a guest on many talk shows.

Saturday Night Live

Simon has been on Saturday Night Live many times. He hosted the second episode of the show in 1975.

On November 20, 1976, he appeared with George Harrison on SNL. They sang "Here Comes the Sun" and "Homeward Bound" together. Simon also did a funny sketch where he wore a turkey costume.

In 1986, during an SNL skit, Simon played himself. He pretended not to recognize Art Garfunkel. In 1988, when he hosted SNL, he appeared with politician Paul Simon. They joked about who was supposed to host the show.

Simon closed the SNL 40th anniversary show in 2015. He performed "Still Crazy After All These Years." His most recent SNL appearance was in February 2025. He sang "Homeward Bound" with Sabrina Carpenter for the 50th Anniversary Special.

Awards and Recognitions

Reverse of the 2007 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song medal awarded to Paul Simon

Paul Simon has won 16 Grammy Awards. This includes three for Album of the Year. He is one of only eight artists to win Album of the Year more than once.

In 1998, his album Bridge over Troubled Water was added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2002, he was nominated for an Oscar for his song "Father and Daughter."

Simon has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. First, in 1990, as a member of Simon & Garfunkel. Then, in 2001, for his solo career. Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the 100 greatest guitarists. They also ranked him among the 100 greatest songwriters of all time.

Brit Awards

Grammy Awards

Paul Simon wearing the Kennedy Center Honors ribbon in 2002

In 2001, Simon was named MusiCares Person of the Year. In 2002, he received a Kennedy Center Honors. This is a high award for artists in the U.S.

In 2007, Simon received the first Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. This award celebrates the positive impact of popular music. Simon was very thankful for the award. Many famous artists performed his songs to honor him. In 2012, Simon also received the Polar Music Prize.

Paul Simon's Family Life

When Simon moved to England in 1964, he met Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Chitty. She worked at a folk club where he played. They had a relationship for a while. Kathy is mentioned in some of Simon's songs, like "Kathy's Song" and "America." A photo of Simon and Kathy is on the cover of his 1965 album The Paul Simon Songbook.

Simon has been married three times. His first marriage was to Peggy Harper in 1969. They had a son, Harper Simon, in 1972. They divorced in 1975. This divorce inspired his song "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover."

Simon dated actress Shelley Duvall for two years. She introduced him to actress Carrie Fisher. Simon and Fisher started dating in 1978. They were married from 1983 to 1984. The song "Hearts and Bones" is about their time together. The song "Graceland" is thought to be about finding comfort after their relationship ended.

Simon married singer Edie Brickell on May 30, 1992. They have three children: Adrian, Lulu, and Gabriel. All four of his children are now adults and are musicians.

Simon and his younger brother, Eddie Simon, started the Guitar Study Center. This center later became part of The New School in New York City. Simon is a big fan of the New York Rangers hockey team, the New York Knicks basketball team, and the New York Yankees baseball team.

Helping Others

Paul Simon believes in music education for children. In 1970, he held auditions for a young songwriters' workshop. He wanted to help teenagers learn about writing songs. He invited them to see how music was recorded in a studio.

In 2003, Simon became a supporter of Little Kids Rock. This group gives free musical instruments and lessons to children in public schools. He is an honorary member of their board.

Simon is also a co-founder of the Children's Health Project. This project, also known as The Children's Health Fund, helps provide medical care to children in areas that don't have enough doctors. They use special buses to take medical care to kids in cities and rural areas. The project has grown a lot and works with hospitals and schools.

In 2012, Paul Simon performed at a dinner to raise money for the Turkana Basin Institute. This helped fund research in Africa. In 2019, he donated his earnings from a festival performance to environmental groups in San Francisco.

Simon supports a movement called effective altruism. This movement uses facts to figure out where charity money can do the most good. He said he wants to make sure his donations truly help people. In 2015, he performed a benefit concert for the Fistula Foundation.

Paul Simon's Music Albums

This list only includes Paul Simon's solo studio albums. It does not include his compilation albums, live concert albums, or music he made with Simon & Garfunkel.

Solo studio albums

Film and TV Appearances

Broadway Shows

• Rock 'n Roll! The First 5,000 Years (1982) – featured songwriter for "Mrs. Robinson"
• Asinamali! (1987) – co-producer
• Mike Nichols and Elaine May: Together Again on Broadway (1992) – performer
• The Capeman (1998) – composer, co-lyricist and music arranger – Tony Nomination for Best Original Score
• The Graduate (2002) – featured songwriter

See also

In Spanish: Paul Simon para niños

• List of songs written by Paul Simon