Paul Simon.Photo: Erik Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock
Happy Birthday,Paul Simon!The musical icon turns 82 on Oct. 13, 2023, and has a lifetime of hits and history to look back on. He’s earned 16 Grammy wins (and 35 nominations) over the course of his career, in addition to one Oscar nomination and two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.A father four times over, he also uses his platform to promote accessible music education for kids, in addition to raising funds for environmental causes.Here, on his latest birthday, take a look at Paul Simon’s life in photos.
Happy Birthday,Paul Simon!
The musical icon turns 82 on Oct. 13, 2023, and has a lifetime of hits and history to look back on. He’s earned 16 Grammy wins (and 35 nominations) over the course of his career, in addition to one Oscar nomination and two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A father four times over, he also uses his platform to promote accessible music education for kids, in addition to raising funds for environmental causes.
Here, on his latest birthday, take a look at Paul Simon’s life in photos.
01of 23Paul Simon’s Early YearsA young Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.James Kriegsmann/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesBorn on Oct. 13, 1941 in Newark, New Jersey,Paul Simonbegan creating music from a remarkably young age. Meeting his on-again, off-again music partner, Art Garfunkel, as young kids in Queens, New York, set the stage for a decades-long career — both together and apart.
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Paul Simon’s Early Years
A young Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.James Kriegsmann/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Born on Oct. 13, 1941 in Newark, New Jersey,Paul Simonbegan creating music from a remarkably young age. Meeting his on-again, off-again music partner, Art Garfunkel, as young kids in Queens, New York, set the stage for a decades-long career — both together and apart.
02of 23Paul Simon in Tom & JerryPaul Simon in Tom & Jerry.James Kriegsmann/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesSimon and Garfunkel — as they would later become known — got the attention of Sid Prosen at a record label called Big Records as teens. They released the song “Hey, Schoolgirl” as a single under the stage name Tom and Jerry. They two appeared onAmerican Bandstandand the song went onto sell more than 100,000 copies,Rolling Stonereported.“You can’t imagine what it was like having a hit record at 16,” Simon said, per the outlet. “It made me a neighborhood hero.”
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Paul Simon in Tom & Jerry
Paul Simon in Tom & Jerry.James Kriegsmann/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Simon and Garfunkel — as they would later become known — got the attention of Sid Prosen at a record label called Big Records as teens. They released the song “Hey, Schoolgirl” as a single under the stage name Tom and Jerry. They two appeared onAmerican Bandstandand the song went onto sell more than 100,000 copies,Rolling Stonereported.
“You can’t imagine what it was like having a hit record at 16,” Simon said, per the outlet. “It made me a neighborhood hero.”
03of 23Paul Simon Working with Carole KingPaul Simon and Carole King.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesCarole King, lyricist Gerry Goffin and Simon (above) all met at Queens College. While they never wrote together,NPRsaid, King and Simon would help record demos for other bands. Goffin and King would later marry.
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Paul Simon Working with Carole King
Paul Simon and Carole King.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Carole King, lyricist Gerry Goffin and Simon (above) all met at Queens College. While they never wrote together,NPRsaid, King and Simon would help record demos for other bands. Goffin and King would later marry.
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Paul Simon in Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel.Sulfiati Magnuson/Getty Images
The duo would drift apart multiple times, first in the late ’50s after Simon did some work on his own — quietly. “He made a record without telling me,” Garfunkel toldThe Guardianin 2015. “That was 1956, maybe 1957. He was my best friend and I thought friendship involves candor and telling a friend what’s up, so the fact that he had a hidden surprise shocked and hurt me.”
05of 23Simon & Garfunkel’s Grammy AwardsPaul Simon and Art Garfunkel at the 13th Grammy Awards.Bettmann ArchiveAt the 13th annualGrammy Awardsin 1970, Simon & Garfunkel took home five awards including record of the year for “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” album of the year forBridge Over Troubled Waterand song of the year for the same track. Two years prior, the duo won two Grammys for the song “Mrs. Robinson,” famously featured in the filmThe Graduate.Simon also took home the award that year for best original score written for a motion picture or a television special for the film’s score. As a duo, the men have won a total of seven Grammys and have been nominated for 11.
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Simon & Garfunkel’s Grammy Awards
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel at the 13th Grammy Awards.Bettmann Archive
At the 13th annualGrammy Awardsin 1970, Simon & Garfunkel took home five awards including record of the year for “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” album of the year forBridge Over Troubled Waterand song of the year for the same track. Two years prior, the duo won two Grammys for the song “Mrs. Robinson,” famously featured in the filmThe Graduate.Simon also took home the award that year for best original score written for a motion picture or a television special for the film’s score. As a duo, the men have won a total of seven Grammys and have been nominated for 11.
06of 23Paul Simon Becomes a FatherPaul Simon and Harper.Express Newspapers/Getty ImagesSimon and his first wife, Peggy Harper, welcomed their first child, Harper, in 1972. Simon is now the father of four, welcoming Adrian,Luluand Gabriel with wife Edie Brickell.
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Paul Simon Becomes a Father
Paul Simon and Harper.Express Newspapers/Getty Images
Simon and his first wife, Peggy Harper, welcomed their first child, Harper, in 1972. Simon is now the father of four, welcoming Adrian,Luluand Gabriel with wife Edie Brickell.
07of 23Paul Simon at the Grammy AwardsPaul Simon at the 17th Grammy Awards.Tim Boxer/Archive Photos/Getty ImagesSimon poses with David Bowie, Garfunkel, Yoko Ono, John Lennon and Roberta Flack backstage at the 17th annualGrammy Awardsin New York City.
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Paul Simon at the Grammy Awards
Paul Simon at the 17th Grammy Awards.Tim Boxer/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Simon poses with David Bowie, Garfunkel, Yoko Ono, John Lennon and Roberta Flack backstage at the 17th annualGrammy Awardsin New York City.
08of 23Paul Simon’s PEOPLE CoverPaul Simon’s PEOPLE Cover.On Nov. 3, 1980, Simon was front and center on the cover of PEOPLE.
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Paul Simon’s PEOPLE Cover
Paul Simon’s PEOPLE Cover.
On Nov. 3, 1980, Simon was front and center on the cover of PEOPLE.
09of 23Paul Simon’s Friendship with Lorne MichaelsPaul Simon and Lorne Michaels.Richard E. Aaron/RedfernsSimon is a longtime friend ofSaturday Night Livecreator Lorne Michaels, meeting him in 1975 just a few months before the show premiered, Simon wrote inVanity Fair. Simon has appeared on the show numerous times, including in 1976, alongside George Harrison (above).
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Paul Simon’s Friendship with Lorne Michaels
Paul Simon and Lorne Michaels.Richard E. Aaron/Redferns
Simon is a longtime friend ofSaturday Night Livecreator Lorne Michaels, meeting him in 1975 just a few months before the show premiered, Simon wrote inVanity Fair. Simon has appeared on the show numerous times, including in 1976, alongside George Harrison (above).
10of 23Paul Simon in ‘One Trick Pony’Paul Simon in ‘One Trick Pony’.George Rose/Getty ImagesIn 1980, Simon wrote and starred in a feature film calledOne Trick Ponyabout a folk-rock musician whose popularity is waning as he works to create his next album. Simon’s album of the same name was released that year.
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Paul Simon in ‘One Trick Pony’
Paul Simon in ‘One Trick Pony’.George Rose/Getty Images
In 1980, Simon wrote and starred in a feature film calledOne Trick Ponyabout a folk-rock musician whose popularity is waning as he works to create his next album. Simon’s album of the same name was released that year.
11of 23Simon & Garfunkel Reunite in Central ParkSimon & Garfunkel reunite in Central Park.Nancy Kaye/AP/ShutterstockIn 1981, 11 years after parting ways as a duo, Simon and Garfunkel performed in front of hundreds of thousands of fans in Central Park for a reunion show.
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Simon & Garfunkel Reunite in Central Park
Simon & Garfunkel reunite in Central Park.Nancy Kaye/AP/Shutterstock
In 1981, 11 years after parting ways as a duo, Simon and Garfunkel performed in front of hundreds of thousands of fans in Central Park for a reunion show.
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Paul Simon’s Marriage to Carrie Fisher
Paul Simon and Carrie Fisher.
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Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’
Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’.Marty Lederhandler/AP/Shutterstock
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Paul Simon in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Paul Simon in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.Larry Busacca/Getty Images
15of 23Paul Simon’s Marriage to Edie BrickellPaul Simon and Edie Brickell.Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagicSimon married singer-songwriter Edie Brickell in 1992 and they have three children together. On June 6, 2022, Simon shared a photo of the couple across his social media platforms with the caption, “A Happy Anniversary.”
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Paul Simon’s Marriage to Edie Brickell
Paul Simon and Edie Brickell.Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Simon married singer-songwriter Edie Brickell in 1992 and they have three children together. On June 6, 2022, Simon shared a photo of the couple across his social media platforms with the caption, “A Happy Anniversary.”
16of 23Paul Simon’s ‘Capeman’Paul Simon’s ‘Capeman’.Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty ImagesAnother one of his ventures, Simon wrote the music for the Broadway musicalCapeman,which premiered in 1998 and starredMarc Anthony, Ednita Nazario and Ruben Blades. Based on the true story of Salvador Agron, a man convicted of the murder of two teenagers in the late 1950s, the show was generally not well received, withprotestors standing outside of the theater on opening night.It ultimately closed after just 68 performances, according toPlaybill.
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Paul Simon’s ‘Capeman’
Paul Simon’s ‘Capeman’.Walter McBride/Corbis via Getty Images
Another one of his ventures, Simon wrote the music for the Broadway musicalCapeman,which premiered in 1998 and starredMarc Anthony, Ednita Nazario and Ruben Blades. Based on the true story of Salvador Agron, a man convicted of the murder of two teenagers in the late 1950s, the show was generally not well received, withprotestors standing outside of the theater on opening night.It ultimately closed after just 68 performances, according toPlaybill.
17of 23Paul Simon on Tour with Bob DylanPaul Simon on Tour with Bob Dylan.Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesIn 1999, Simon hit the road and went on tour withBob Dylan.
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Paul Simon on Tour with Bob Dylan
Paul Simon on Tour with Bob Dylan.Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
In 1999, Simon hit the road and went on tour withBob Dylan.
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Paul Simon’s 9/11 Tribute
Paul Simon’s 9/11 Tribute.KMazur/WireImage
19of 23Paul Simon at the Kennedy Center HonorsPaul Simon at the 2002 Kennedy Center Honors.Eric Draper/White House/Getty ImagesIn 2002, Simon was a recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor alongsideElizabeth Taylor,James Earl Jones, Chita Rivera andJames Levine.
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Paul Simon at the Kennedy Center Honors
Paul Simon at the 2002 Kennedy Center Honors.Eric Draper/White House/Getty Images
In 2002, Simon was a recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor alongsideElizabeth Taylor,James Earl Jones, Chita Rivera andJames Levine.
20of 23Paul Simon’s Old Friends TourPaul Simon’s Old Friends Tour.Luciano Viti/Getty ImagesIn 2003, Simon and Garfunkel embarked on a nine-month tour called the Old Friends Tour. Their final show was in Rome, where the duo played outside the Colosseum toa crowd of more than 500,000,Rolling Stonereported.
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Paul Simon’s Old Friends Tour
Paul Simon’s Old Friends Tour.Luciano Viti/Getty Images
In 2003, Simon and Garfunkel embarked on a nine-month tour called the Old Friends Tour. Their final show was in Rome, where the duo played outside the Colosseum toa crowd of more than 500,000,Rolling Stonereported.
21of 23Paul Simon and The YankeesPaul Simon in the New York Yankees’ dugout.Linda Cataffo/NY Daily News Archive via Getty ImagesIn 1999, the Native New Yorker and Yankees fan sang “Mrs. Robinson” at Yankee Stadium in a memorial ceremony for Yankees’ legendJoe DiMaggio.
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Paul Simon and The Yankees
Paul Simon in the New York Yankees' dugout.Linda Cataffo/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
In 1999, the Native New Yorker and Yankees fan sang “Mrs. Robinson” at Yankee Stadium in a memorial ceremony for Yankees' legendJoe DiMaggio.
22of 23Paul Simon’s Final TourPaul Simon at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.Erik Pendzich/REX/ShutterstockIn 2018, Simon finished his farewell tour with a hometown show at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, marking his retirement from touring.
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Paul Simon’s Final Tour
Paul Simon at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.Erik Pendzich/REX/Shutterstock
In 2018, Simon finished his farewell tour with a hometown show at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, marking his retirement from touring.
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Paul Simon in 2022 and 2023
Paul Simon at the Newport Folk Festival.Newport Folk Festival Facebook
In May of 2023, Simon revealed that he’d recently lost hearing in his left ear.
“Nobody has an explanation for it,“he toldThe Times.“So everything became more difficult. My reaction to that was frustration and annoyance.”
source: people.com
