Paul Simon Story - Recepient of 12 Grammys and a Lifetime Achievement Award

Paul Simon with Chevy Chase

Paul Simon ruled the roost as a 'musical guest' in the Garrison Keillor’s radio programme on February 6, 2016. He wrote the theme song New Louis C K Web Series.

Childhood

Simon was born on October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey. His father, Louis was a musician and a professor in college, and his mother, Belle was an elementary school teacher. The family re-located to the New York City in 1945. Simon attended the Forest Hills High School and graduated in English from Queens College. He went to Brooklyn Law School for sometime.

Simon participated in school plays and dances. Simon and Art Garfunkel sang their first song together at the age of 13. Simon had a passion for folk, blues and jazz. He wrote his first song, “The Girl for Me”, when he was just 12-13 years old.

Early Career

Paul Simon started his musical career in 1957. His singles with the group, Tico and the Triumphs, were well received. He wrote under pysuedo names. Simon's solo, “Motorcycle” was listed at 'number 97' on the Billboard charts in 1962. Simon featured at 'number 99' on the pop charts for his comical song, “The Lone Teen Ranger”.

Simon and Garfunkel signed a contract with Columbia Records in 1964 and their duo was christened Simon & Garfunkel. Their first album, “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.”, launched the same year, flopped. Simon embarked upon a solo career in England. He performed in folk clubs and coffee houses. He recorded a solo album, The Paul Simon Songbook in 1965.

Simon wrote several songs with Bruce Woodley of The Seekers, the Australian pop group in 1965. His tracks for Wednesday Morning, “The Sound of Silence” reached 'number one' on the U.S. pop charts. Simon wrote and recorded the album, “Paul Simon” in 1970. The album garnered global critical acclaim and its solo figured in the Top 5 in America and Britain. Simon launched his pop-folk album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon in 1973.

His song, 'Something So Right' was shortlisted for the Grammy Award in the category, 'Best Song of the Year'. Simon's album, “Still Crazy After All These Years” and a its single topped the Billboard charts. It was declared the 'Album of the Year' and Simon's performance was ranked as the year's 'Best Male Pop Vocal' at the 18th Grammy Awards.

Simon starred in Woody Allen's film, Annie Hall. He tasted success again when his single, 'Slip Slidin' Away' reached 'number five' in the US. Simon launched his debut album, One-Trick Pony with Warner Bros in 1980. He featured in he film by the same name.

Simon was back with Garfunkel and their album, Bridge over Troubled Water fared very well. The duo performed at a concert in Central Park in 1981.

Simon's solo album, “Graceland”, released by the Warner Bros. Records in 1986 met with much critical acclaim and commercial success. It reigned at 'number three' in the US and was accredited 5x Platinum certification. Simon was conferred the Grammy Award for “Album of the Year” (1987) and for “Record of the Year for the Title Track” (1988). He received an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music in 1986, of which Simon is a trustee.

Simon's Brazilian music album, “The Rhythm of the Saints”was released in 1990 to excellent reviews and was shortlisted for the Grammy Award in the category, 'Album of the Year'. Simon's stage concert in New York following his new-found success was a smashing hit. Simon wrote and produced The Capeman, a Broadway musical in the 1990s.

Simon and Garfunkel were initiated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Simon's album, “You're the One” in 2000 featured in the British and American 'Top 20' and was nominated for Grammy in the category of 'Album of the Year'. He wrote and recorded the song, 'Father and Daughter' for The Wild Thornberrys Movie, an animated film in 2002. It was shortlisted for an Academy Award for 'Best Song'. The duo of Simon and Garfunkel won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. Their concert at the Colosseum in Rome in 2004 was a resounding success.

Heights

Simon's album, “Surprise”, launched in 2006 was a commercial success and marked his come-back. It ruled the UK charts at 'number four' and the Billboard 200 at 'number 14'. It is no mean feat that Simon is the first to be conferred the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for 'Popular Song' in 2007. His greatest hit collections, The Essential Paul Simon was launched by Warner Bros., peaking at 'number 12' in the UK. Simon is one of the few performers who enjoy a copyright on their recordings.

Simon's works were honoured by the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2008. Simon promoted his book, Lyrics on The Colbert Report in 2008. He performed on a song by Stevie Wonder in a show to honour the singer held at the White House in 2009. The same year, The Library of Congress: Paul Simon and Friends Live Concert was launched on DVD.

Simon and Garfunkel went on a tour to Japan, Australia and New Zealand. They performed together at the The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert for its '25^th Anniversary' in 2009 and at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans in 2010. Simon shifted to New Canaan, Connecticut and transferred his works from Warner Bros to Sony/Columbia Records. His song, 'Getting Ready for Christmas Day' premiered on National Public Radio in 2010.

Simon was a guest at the The Oprah Winfrey Show's final season 2010, where he dedicated a song to her. He gave the Richard Ellmann Lectures in Modern Literature at Emory University in 2013. Simon partnered with English musician Sting for a world tour in 2014-15.

Simon hosted and was a musical guest on Saturday Night Live (SNL) 14 times. Paul Simon ruled the roost as a 'musical guest' in the Garrison Keillor’s radio programme on February 6, 2016. He wrote the theme song New Louis C K Web Series.

Personal Life

Paul Simon has been married thrice. He married Peggy Harper and they have a son. Simon married actress and author Carrie Fisher in 1983 and got divorced in 1984. He then married folk singer Edie Brickell. The couple is blessed with three children, Adrian, Lulu, and Gabriel.

Simon and his brother, Eddie Simon have set up the Guitar Study Center in New York City. Simon champions the cause of music eduction for children and is on the board of the nonprofit organization, Little Kids Rock. Simon is a co-founder of the Children's Health Project and The Children's Health Fund.

Recognitions

Simon is a recepient of 12 Grammys and a Lifetime Achievement Award. He received an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music in 1986. Simon was initiated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. It is no mean feat that Simon is the first to be conferred the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for 'Popular Song' in 2007. He was ranked among the “100 People Who Shaped the World” by Time magazine in 2006 and declared one of “The 100 Greatest Songwriters” by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2015.

Paul Simon Interview