Profile of the Day: Paul Simon

Happy birthday to Paul Simon! Today the legendary singer-songwriter turns 81.

Image: Paul Simon / National Archief, Wikimedia Commons

Simon was born on October 13, 1941 in Newark, New Jersey to Hungarian Jewish parents. His road to musical stardom began at the tender age of 11, when he met Art Garfunkel. The young musicians performed together in their sixth grade production of Alice in Wonderland. At 13, the duo were soon singing under the name “Tom & Jerry.” In 1964, they were signed by Columbia Records and re-named “Simon & Garfunkel.” Simon wrote nearly all of the pair’s songs, including “The Sounds of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Named one of the “100 People Who Shaped the World” by Time magazine, Simon has won 16 Grammy awards and was inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, first as a member of Simon & Garfunkel and again as a solo artist.

What’s your favorite song?

Explore Paul Simon’s family tree on Geni and share your connection to the iconic musician.

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