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. Their next album "Bookends" which is considered one of the greatest albums of the sixties, featured songs such as "Mrs. Robinson" from The Graduate, "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 and reunited with friend Art Garfunkel in 1981 to give a concert in Central Park.


Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel sung and wrote songs under the name 'Tom and Jerry' in the late 1950s. 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". 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). After his breakup with Carrie Fisher, he was depressed for 2 years. In 1985, his comeback album 'Graceland', included songs about her. His third child with Edie Brickell is named Gabriel. Father of Harper Simon, from his first marriage. 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. 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". Elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of Simon & Garfunkel) in 1990. Is a Life member of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity Wrote the song "The Only Living Boy In New York" about Art Garfunkel getting his role in Catch-22 (1970). 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. Simon & Garfunkel were voted the 40th Greatest Artists in Rock 'n' Roll by Rolling Stone. 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 "Great Performances: Paul Simon: Born at the Right Time" (1991). The "sleepy boy" he sings about in his song St. Judy's Comet (from the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon) is his son Harper. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1982. The song "Scarborough Fair/Canticles" from Simon And Garfunkel's multi-million selling "Parsley Sage Rosemary And Thyme" (1966) album contains a counterpoint melody with anti-war lyrics. The alternate melody and verse were removed when the song was issued as a single in 1967. That is the version that is most heard and performed today, though the original "Canticles " version can still be heard in the soundtrack of "The Graduate" (1967).