Biography for
Paul Simon (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

13 October 1941, Newark, New Jersey, USA

Birth Name

Paul Frederic Simon

Height

5' 3" (1.60 m)

Mini Biography

Born on October 13, 1941 in Newark New Jersey, Paul Simon is one of the greatest singer/songwriters ever. In 1957 he and high school pal Art Garfunkel wrote and recorded the single "Hey Schoolgirl" under the name 'Tom and Jerry'. After some failures they broke up. Simon still wrote and recorded music as 'Tico and The Triumps' and 'Jerry Landis'. He also attended Queens College and got a B.A. in English. He studied law also but quit to pursue a music career in 1964.

He and Art Garfunkel got back together as Simon and Garfunkel and recorded "Wednesday Morning 3 a.m.". After the commercial failure of the album they broke up again. Simon left America to go to England where he played in folk circuits and He made a solo album. Back in America the producer of their first album, Tom Wilson, dubbed bass, electric guitar, and drums to the all acoustic song, 'Sound of Silence', which propelled them into the folk-rock scene. Simon and Garfunkel were back and in 1966 they had popularity with the album "The Sound of Silence" which features songs such as "I am a Rock", "Richard Cory" and "Kathy's Song". Their next album "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme had songs such as "Homeward Bound" "The 59th Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)".

In 1967 Mike Nichols asked Simon to write a score for his upcoming movie The Graduate (1967). Their next album "Bookends" which is considered one of the greatest albums of the sixties, featured songs such as "Mrs. Robinson" from The Graduate (1967), "Hazy Shade of Winter", "At The Zoo", "America". Their last album "Bridge Over Troubled Water" featured songs such as the title song, "The Boxer", "Cecilia".

In the seventies Simon emerged as a singer/songwriter with albums such as Paul Simon, Still Crazy After All These Years, Hearts and Bones, Graceland, and Songs from the Capeman. Aside from music he wrote and starred in the movie One Trick Pony (1980) and reunited with friend Art Garfunkel in 1981 to give a concert in Central Park.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Paul Abb

Spouse

Edie Brickell	(30 May 1992 - present) 3 children
Carrie Fisher	(16 August 1983 - July 1984) (divorced)
Peggy Harper	(1969 - 1975) (divorced) 1 child

Trivia

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel sung and wrote songs under the name 'Tom and Jerry' in the late 1950s.

Released non-charting singles using the stage names "True Taylor" (in 1958) and "Paul Kane" (in 1963).

Before finding fame as a singer/songwriter under his real name, Paul Simon had a handful of minor hit singles under two psuedonyms. The best known psuedonym is "Jerry Landis", a name Simon initially used as a member of the duo "Tom and Jerry"; he also issued some solo material under this name. When the hits as "Landis" stopped coming, he changed his stage name to "Tico", and made some very minor chart entries as a member of "Tico & The Triumphs".

Paul Simon co-wrote the song "Red Rubber Ball" with Bruce Woodley of The Seekers. The song was recorded by the United States' group, The Cyrkle - as well as by The Seekers. Was in Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity in college with Art Garfunkel.

Married to Edie Brickell with whom he has three children: Adrian Edward (born December 1992), Lulu (born April 1995) and Gabriel Elijah (born May 1998).

Was slated to play Dunbar in Catch-22 (1970) before the character was dropped.

After his breakup with Carrie Fisher, he was depressed for 2 years. In 1985, his comeback album 'Graceland', included songs about her.

He and Art Garfunkel sang as "Simon & Garfunkel" in the 60s and part of 70s

His third child with Edie Brickell is named Gabriel.

Former son-in-law of 'Eddie Fisher' and Debbie Reynolds. Former brother-in-law of 'Todd Fisher (I)'. Former half-brother-in-law of Joely Fisher and Tricia Leigh Fisher.

Father of Harper Simon, from his first marriage.

Once co-hosted "Saturday Night Live" (1975) with like-named U.S. Senator Paul Simon.

Generally considers his solo work, especially the albums 'Graceland' (1986) and 'The Rhythm of the Saints' (1990), to be superior to his work with Simon & Garfunkel.

Asked if there were any songs he'd written that he now regrets recording, he said no. However, he does say he'd hate to be remembered for the song "Feelin' Groovy".

Is good friends with Chevy Chase. The two worked together on "Saturday Night Live" (1975). Chase has appeared in The Paul Simon Special (1977) (TV) and Simon's music videos "You Can Call Me Al" and (alongside Steve Martin) "Proof".

Designated a Kennedy Center Honors recipient for 2002 to replace Paul McCartney. McCartney had originally accepted the award, but later withdrew because of a 'personal scheduling conflict.' The conflict was the wedding of his niece.

Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of Simon & Garfunkel) in 1990.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 (as a solo artist).

Is a Life member of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity

One of the few artists from his generation to own all the songs he's written.

Wrote the song "The Only Living Boy In New York" about Art Garfunkel getting his role in Catch-22 (1970).

Didn't want to return to the US from England, where he was enjoying success with his solo album there, but Columbia Records invoked the letter of his and Art Garfunkel's recording contract, forcing him to come back. (His UK album went out of print, and was only reissued in 2004.)

Attended a recording session in 1974 with Art Garfunkel, former The Beatles John Lennon, and singer Harry Nilsson. Lennon directed the session, and he and Simon reportedly clashed on Simon's cue in the song, leading to Simon's walking out (with Garfunkel close behind, making apologies) before anything was recorded.

Is left handed, but plays guitar right handed.

Simon & Garfunkel were voted the 40th Greatest Artists in Rock 'n' Roll by Rolling Stone.

Opened the first "Saturday Night Live" (1975) episode after the September 11th attacks, with his song "The Boxer", following this was the infamous exchange between Rudolph W. Giuliani and Lorne Michaels, where Michaels asked if it was okay to be funny.

Is a long-time friend of fellow New Yorker Lorne Michaels, which has led to Simon and/or his songs appearing in numerous Michaels productions, including "Saturday Night Live" (1975) (several appearances as both host and musical guest); The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978) (TV) (brief appearance); and Coneheads (1993) (song "Kodachrome"). Michaels has also produced several of Simon's specials, including: The Paul Simon Special (1977) (TV); Simon and Garfunkel: The Concert in Central Park (1982) (TV)_; and Paul Simon: Born at the Right Time (1991) (TV).

Was nominated for Broadway's 1998 Tony Award as Best Original Musical Score for "The Capeman," his music with lyrics by Derek Walcott.

The "sleepy boy" he sings about in his song St. Judy's Comet (from the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon) is his son Harper.

Winner of the British Phonographic Industry Award for International Solo Artist in 1987.

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1982.

Awarded the first Gershwin Prize for Popular Music in 2007 by the Library of Congress.

Personal Quotes

"The public hungers to see talented young people kill themselves."

"I don't see much truth in laurels, period. The forces of habit make you go on. There's an internal engine that's been running since I was 14; I keep an ear out to see if it's still purring and it is. It chronically purrs. Music making is who you are and it doesn't go away. If you love to play music, you're lucky."

Dylan (Bob Dylan) frequently reinvents himself, and at a very sophisticated level. Nobody ever did it better. That's his real genius. He's still interesting. Love And Theft is a fascinating record.

Brian Wilson is a couple of years younger than I am - but not many - and his stuff is still interesting. The same goes for Tom Waits. There are other people doing interesting work, but the people doing it aren't coming from the same history of enormous popular success that I've had. There's a certain expectation that I'm going to reach the level I was at back when I was enormously successful. That may be impossible to do at this point.

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