Paul Simon

Singer/Songwriter

Paul Simon's early idol, when he was first starting out playing with Art Garfunkel, were the Everly Brothers. His music has evolved into an amalgamation of traditional and contemporary folk influences, world rhythms, and lyrical poetry that brings to mind any number of Caribbean artists, as well as American folksingers like Arlo Guthrie and Joni Mitchell.

Paul Simon has recorded under several pseudonyms, including Jerry Landis, Paul Klane, Tico, and True Taylor.

The Studio Recordings 1972-2000 (Rhino, 2004). Graceland (Warner Bros., 1986). Rhythm of the Saints (Warner Bros., 1990).

"My whole artistic life has always been about change, change, change, move on, move on. It's the only thing I find interesting."

Paul Simon was Born in October, 1941, in Newark Heights, New Jersey, and raised in Queens, NY. In high school at Forest Hills High, Simon met Art Garfunkel, with whom he began playing music at local dances and other venues. Orginally, the duo went as Tom & Jerry, and they had a hit in 1957 with a song called, "Hey, Schoolgirl."

After high school, Simon attended Queens College, where he studied English literature. Over the next seven years, he recorded a few dozen songs, reunited a bit with Garfunkel, and did a short stint as a student at Brooklyn Law School.

In 1964, he and Art Garfunkel scored a record deal with Columbia Records. It was Columbia who decided to rename the duo Simon & Garfunkel.

After they released Bridge Over Troubled Water in 1970, Simon broke off to pursue his own solo career. In 1972, he released his self-titled debut solo album, which was well received.

Since then, Paul Simon has released numerous solo albums, including the hugely popular Graceland in 1986, when he teamed up with Ladysmith Black Mombazo. Paul has released 14 solo albums to date; and in 2003, Simon & Garfunkel were awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammy's, and spent a year on a reunion tour.
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