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.
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 and songwriter. He is famous for his solo music and for being part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel. He met Art Garfunkel in elementary school in 1953. They became very popular in the 1960s.

Simon & Garfunkel created a mix of folk and rock music. Their hit songs like "The Sound of Silence" (1965), "Mrs. Robinson" (1968), and "Bridge over Troubled Water" (1970) became anthems of the 1960s. Their album Bridge over Troubled Water is one of the best-selling albums ever.

As a solo artist, Paul 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 successful. They featured popular songs like "Mother and Child Reunion" and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover".

In 1986, Simon released Graceland. This album was a huge hit and featured South African music. It included the famous song "You Can Call Me Al". Paul Simon has won sixteen Grammy Awards. He is also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Paul Simon was born on October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey. His father, Louis, was a musician and a teacher. His mother, Belle, was an elementary school teacher. In 1945, his family moved to Flushing, Queens, in New York City.

Paul Simon met Art Garfunkel when they were 11 years old. They sang together in a school play. They started singing together regularly when they were 13. They sometimes performed at school dances. Simon wrote his first song, "The Girl for Me," when he was 12 or 13. His father helped them write down the music.

In 1957, when they were teenagers, they recorded a song called "Hey, Schoolgirl." They used the name "Tom & Jerry" for this song. It became a small hit, reaching number 49 on the pop charts.

After high school, Simon studied English at Queens College. He graduated in 1963. Garfunkel went to Columbia University.

Music Career Highlights

Before 1964, Paul Simon wrote and recorded many songs. He sometimes reunited with Art Garfunkel as "Tom & Jerry." Most of the songs Simon recorded during this time were solo. He used different names like "Jerry Landis" and "Paul Kane."

Simon had some success with a group called Tico and the Triumphs. Their song "Motorcycle" reached number 99 on the Billboard charts in 1962.

Simon & Garfunkel's Rise to Fame

In 1964, Simon and Garfunkel signed with Columbia Records. The record company decided to call them Simon & Garfunkel. Their first album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., came out in October 1964. It did not sell well at first.

Simon in 1966

In 1965, Simon moved to London and played in folk clubs. He loved his time in England. He learned new guitar styles and was inspired by English folk music. He wrote songs like "Homeward Bound" and "I Am a Rock" there.

Meanwhile, in America, radio stations 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 a number 1 hit.

The success of "The Sound of Silence" brought Simon back to the U.S. He reunited with Garfunkel. They recorded more albums, including Sounds of Silence (1966) and Bridge over Troubled Water (1970). Bridge over Troubled Water became one of the best-selling albums ever.

Garfunkel, left, with Paul Simon, right, performing outside at a concert in Dublin as Simon & Garfunkel

Simon & Garfunkel also made music for the movie The Graduate (1967). This included the famous song "Mrs. Robinson". Their relationship became difficult, and they decided to split up in 1970.

Paul Simon's Solo Journey

After the duo split, Paul Simon started his solo career. He sometimes performed with Garfunkel for special events.

His album Paul Simon was released in 1972. It included the hit song "Mother and Child Reunion", which was inspired by Jamaican music. Critics loved the album for its different music styles. It reached number 4 in the U.S. and number 1 in the UK.

His next album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon, came out in 1973. It had popular songs like "Kodachrome" and "Loves Me Like a Rock".

In 1975, he released Still Crazy After All These Years. This album was written after his divorce and had a more serious mood. It included the hit "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", which reached number 1 on the charts. This album won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

Graceland and World Music

In 1986, Paul Simon released his most famous album, Graceland. He was inspired by South African music and recorded with many African musicians, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The album sold over 16 million copies worldwide. Graceland won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1987.

Simon faced some criticism for recording in South Africa during a time when many artists were boycotting the country due to apartheid. However, the United Nations Anti-Apartheid Committee later supported Graceland because it showed off black South African musicians.

After Graceland, Simon continued to explore world music with his 1990 album, The Rhythm of the Saints. This album featured Brazilian and African musicians. It was also very successful, reaching number 4 in the U.S. and number 1 in the UK.

In 1991, Simon held a huge concert in Central Park, New York. Over 750,000 people attended, making it one of the largest concerts ever.

Later Albums and Retirement from Touring

In 1998, Simon wrote a Broadway musical called The Capeman. It told the story of a real-life Puerto Rican youth. The musical did not do well.

In 2000, Simon released the album You're the One. It mixed folk-pop with sounds from North Africa. It received good reviews and was nominated for a Grammy.

After the September 11 attacks in 2001, Simon performed "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on a TV special to help victims. In 2002, he wrote "Father and Daughter" for a movie, which was nominated for an Oscar.

In 2003, Simon and Garfunkel reunited for a tour called "Old Friends." They also performed together at a free concert in Rome, which drew 600,000 people.

In 2006, Simon released Surprise, an album he worked on with Brian Eno. Many songs were inspired by the September 11 attacks.

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 continued to tour around the world. On the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, he performed "The Sound of Silence" at the memorial site in New York.

In 2018, Paul Simon announced he would retire from touring. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family. He played his final concert in Queens, New York, on September 22, 2018. However, he still records music.

His album Seven Psalms was released in May 2023. It is a 33-minute musical meditation. Simon said the idea for the album came to him in a vivid dream. He also revealed that he has lost most of the hearing in his left ear.

Songwriting Style

Paul Simon is known for his amazing songwriting. He often talks about love, family, and social issues in his songs. He also explores themes of religion and spirituality.

Simon has explained that the music usually comes first when he writes a song. Then, the words follow the sound of the music. He sees it like a puzzle, finding the right words to fit what the music is saying.

Other Projects

Film and Television Appearances

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

He appeared on The Muppet Show and several episodes of Sesame Street. He performed "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" on Sesame Street in 1977.

Saturday Night Live

Simon has appeared on Saturday Night Live (SNL) many times. He was even a host of the show. In one famous sketch from 1976, he performed "Still Crazy After All These Years" while wearing a turkey costume.

Simon wearing the Kennedy Center Honors ribbon in 2002

He also appeared in the music video for his song "You Can Call Me Al" with SNL star Chevy Chase. Simon closed the 40th anniversary SNL show in 2015. His most recent SNL appearance was on his 77th birthday in 2018.

Awards and Recognition

Paul Simon has received many awards for his music. He has won sixteen Grammy Awards. This includes three for Album of the Year for Bridge Over Troubled Water, Still Crazy After All These Years, and Graceland. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys.

In 2002, he was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors. This is one of the highest tributes for artists in the U.S.

In 2007, he was the first person to receive the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress. This award celebrates popular music's impact on culture.

Rolling Stone magazine has named him one of the greatest guitarists and one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

Personal Life

Paul Simon has been married three times. His first marriage was to Peggy Harper in 1969. They had a son named Harper Simon in 1972. They divorced in 1975.

His second marriage was to actress Carrie Fisher from 1983 to 1984.

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

Paul Simon is a big fan of New York sports teams. He supports the New York Rangers (ice hockey), the New York Knicks (basketball), and the New York Yankees (baseball).

Helping Others

Paul Simon cares a lot about music education for children. In 1970, he held workshops for young songwriters. He wanted to help them learn about writing songs and recording music.

He also supports Little Kids Rock, a group that 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 Fund. This organization provides 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.

Discography

This list includes only Paul Simon's solo studio albums. It does not include his work with Simon & Garfunkel or live albums.

Solo studio albums

Filmography

Broadway

• Rock 'n Roll! The First 5,000 Years (1982) – revue – featured songwriter for "Mrs. Robinson"
• The Capeman (1998) – composer, co-lyricist and music arranger – Tony Nomination for Best Original Score

See also

In Spanish: Paul Simon para niños