Paul Simon

American singer, song-writer who teamed up with Art Garfunkel to become folk-rock music icons of the 60s with songs such as "The Sounds of Silence," Homeward Bound," "America," "The Boxer" and "Scarborough Fair." The troubled duo broke up in 1970 after winning six Grammy awards for their album "Bridge Over Troubled Water." After a slump in the early 80s Simon came back in 1986 to win several Grammys for "Graceland." Simons parents, Louis and Belle, were a happily married couple who produced a secure home environment for him and his brother. Simons first love was sports, particularly baseball, and he claims it gave him confidence and a certain male image. He began writing songs at 13 while growing up in Queens, NY, listening to Gospel and rock n roll. In sixth grade Simon met Art Garfunkel, also a pretty good ballplayer, who later became the other half of the singing duo. At 15 they recorded "Hey Schoolgirl" under the name of Tom and Jerry and when it was released in 1957 it became a top-50 hit. After two more records flopped Simon went on to Queens College and Garfunkel to Columbia University. Later an accidental meeting would find them auditioning for and being signed up with Columbia Records. In 1964 they released the album "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M." but got nowhere. When Columbia saw the success of Bob Dylans folk-rock records, Columbia took a song from the "Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M." album, over-dubbed the acoustic version with electric guitar, drums and bass and re-released "The Sound of Silence," 1964. It became a No. 1 single which Simon calls a turning point in his life. The duo continued to create hits including "The Boxer," "America," and "Mrs. Robinson," which was in the soundtrack of the movie "The Graduate" starring Dustin Hoffman. Simon and Garfunkel had a turbulent relationship and in 1970, after winning six Grammys for the album "Bridge Over Troubled Water," they spit up. They had a reunion concert in New Yorks Central Park in 1981. Different styles of music have always influenced Simons song writing. In the early 60s, while living in England, he was drawn to folk ballads from the north country where he learned "Scarbourough Fair," and the Bolivian group, Los Incas, influenced "El Condor Pasa." Ska, the bouncy two-beat Jamaican style that preceded reggae strongly influenced his 1972 hit "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." A downward trend in the early 80s brought him several flops including an autobiographical film he starred in, "One-Trick Pony," 1980, and the LP "Hearts and Bones," 1983, was a disappointment. After retreating for three years he reemerged with the critically acclaimed LP, "Graceland," inspired by the music of South Africa. In the early 90s he released "The Rhythm of the Saints," a mélange of Brazilian drums, West African guitars and American pop. In 1987 Simon co-founded the Childrens Health Fund, a program that uses mobile medical units to provide health care for the homeless kids of New York City with pediatrician Irwin Redlener. His first marriage to Peggy Harper produced a son, Harper James. After years of living with his significant other, novelist, screenwriter and actress Carrie Fisher, their relationship fell apart in three months after they married in 1983. In 1992 he married, Edie Brickell, the lead singer of New Bohemians and had a son, Adrian. Edward, born on 12/28/1992, New York City. Simon and Garfunkel have reunited for a tour, beginning with a performan Read less