School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Paul Simon

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Paul Simon was born in 1941 in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in Queens, New York. He is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. At primary school in 1953 he met Art Garfunkel. In the 1960s the two became known together as Simon & Garfunkel, with a blend of folk and rock and hits such as The Sound of Silence (1965), Mrs. Robinson (1968), America (1968) and The Boxer (1969). Their last album, Bridge over Troubled Water from 1970, is among the best-selling albums ever.

Music and breakthrough

As a solo artist Simon tried, among other things, gospel, reggae and soul. The albums Paul Simon (1972), There Goes Rhymin' Simon (1973) and Still Crazy After All These Years (1975) produced hits such as Mother and Child Reunion, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Kodachrome and 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. In 1981 he played the Concert in Central Park with Garfunkel. In 1986 came Graceland, his most successful album, with South African influences. You Can Call Me Al became one of his biggest singles. Then came The Rhythm of the Saints (1990) and a second concert in the park in 1991 without Garfunkel, which drew about 500,000 people. The musical The Capeman from 1998 was poorly received.

Influence

Simon was inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and won sixteen Grammys, including three for Album of the Year. Graceland is in the National Recording Registry. He made his acting debut in Woody Allen's Annie Hall and co-founded the Children's Health Fund.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to You Can Call Me Al from Graceland. Notice the South African influence in the guitars and the rhythm.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: ArtistsMbaqanga