Profile of the Day: Paul Simon

Posted October 13, 2023 by Amanda | No Comment

Happy birthday to Paul Simon! Today the musician and songwriter turns 82. With a music career that has spanned over six decades, Simon is widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters in history.

Image: Paul Simon / Nationaal Archief, CC0

Paul Frederick Simon was born on October 13, 1941 in Newark, New Jersey. His mother, Belle Schulman, was a elementary school teacher and his father, Louis Simon, was a professional musician and performed on television shows and in clubs.

Simon’s path to music stardom began at the age of 11 when he first met Art Garfunkel. The two called themselves “Tom & Jerry” and performed at school dances. They even recorded a song, “Hey, Schoolgirl,” and became a hit in their neighborhood. Afterwards, the duo went their separate ways but a chance encounter brought them back together and by 1964, they were signed by Columbia Records under the name “Simon & Garfunkel.” The pair had a rocky relationship and eventually split in 1970 at the height of their popularity. Some of their biggest hits include “The Sounds of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Simon has gone on to have a successful solo career. He’s won 16 Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.

Explore Paul Simon’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re connected!