Paul Simon Net Worth: A Career of Innovation and Influence

Paul Simon is an American singer and songwriter who has a net worth of $200 million. Paul Simon first gained fame in the 1960s as one half of the folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, alongside Art Garfunkel. Together, they produced timeless hits like “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which have left an indelible mark on the music industry. After the duo disbanded, Simon embarked on a successful solo career, showcasing his versatility and innovative approach to music. His 1986 album “Graceland” is particularly celebrated for its fusion of pop with South African township music, winning him several Grammy Awards and international acclaim. Simon is known for his lyrical prowess, exploring themes of love, alienation, and spirituality. Throughout his career, Simon has received numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as a solo artist and as part of Simon & Garfunkel.

Paul Simon Early Life

Born on October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, Simon was surrounded by music from a young age. His mother was an elementary school teacher, while his father was a double bass player and dance bandleader, in addition to being a college professor. At the age of four, Simon and his family moved to the borough of Queens in New York City. While attending Fairfax High School, Paul met his future bandmate Art Garfunkel when the two were performing in a sixth-grade production of “Alice in Wonderland”.  They hit it off and soon began performing at school dances. They were influenced by such people as The Everly Brothers and Woody Guthrie. They enjoyed some initial success when they signed with the Big Records label under the name Tom & Jerry. The two boys would occasionally reunite to perform together while in college.

Paul Simon Solo Career

Following the formal split of Simon & Garfunkel in 1970, Simon focused on his solo projects. He released a self-titled album in 1972 after having released the hit single “Mother and Child Reunion.” The album was very successful, reaching No. 4 on the U.S. charts and No. 1 in the United Kingdom. In the years that followed, he continued to steadily produce albums and was frequently a regular on the top music charts. In 1975, he released Still Crazy After All These Years , which earned him the Grammy Award for Album of the Year as well as Best Male Pop Vocal. In the latter half of the 1970s and into the 1980s, Simon began to release music more slowly, and it was often met with less enthusiastic popular response. However, one of his albums, Hearts and Bones, released in 1983 to disappointing sales, went on to be viewed as one of his best works to date.This slowdown did not last long, as Simon was thrust back into the spotlight with the release of Graceland, which became his most successful solo album. The sound of the album was highly inspired by Simon’s experience working with South African musicians, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Graceland won the 1987 Grammy Award for Album of the Year as well as the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1988. In 1990, he followed up by releasing The Rhythm of the Saints, primarily recorded in Rio de Janeiro, which was also very favorably reviewed.

Paul Simon and Garfunkel

While Simon had been performing and writing solo material while in college, he and Art had continued performing together and signed a deal with Columbia Records in 1964, when they also started going by Simon & Garfunkel rather than Tom & Jerry. Their first LP, 

Wednesday Morning 3 A.M., was not initially successful upon its release in October of 1964. However, one of the tracks from the album, “The Sound of Silence,” started earning a great deal of radio play, and when Simon & Garfunkel’s producer re-released the song with some overdubbing, it went on to become No. 1 on the U.S. pop charts. Simon & Garfunkel subsequently released four more albums together: Sounds of Silence; Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme; Bookends; and Bridge over Troubled Water. The duo enjoyed substantial success together and continued to reunite even after Simon decided to pursue solo projects. Simon & Garfunkel were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990and they received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. They have toured both the United States and the world during reunion tours, drawing large crowds.

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Paul Simon Musical Success and Contributions

Paul Simon’s solo career is marked by numerous critical and commercial successes. Albums like “Graceland” and “Still Crazy After All These Years” not only achieved commercial success but also received critical acclaim. Simon’s innovative approach to music, incorporating world music elements, has influenced countless artists.

Paul Simon Personal Life

Simon has been married three times. He married his first wife, Peggy Harper, in 1969 and had a son with her, Harper Simon, in 1972. They then divorced in 1975. He then met actress 

Carrie Fisher of Star Wars and married her in 1982. The couple divorced in 1984, but the two remained in a relationship for several years beyond their divorce.

In 1992, Simon married singer Edie Brickell. The two have three children together and have remained married. Paul is 25 years her senior. Simon is very close friends with Lorne Michaels, the creator of “Saturday Night Live.” The two became friends in the 1970s while Simon lived in New York. Simon has also devoted himself to youth music education and is involved with or contributes to a number of music-related organizations and festivals.

Paul Simon Real Estate

In 2012, Paul and Edie spent around $16 million to acquire a 32-acre property in New Canaan, Connecticut. They listed the home for sale for $14 million in April 2019. The property features an 8,800 square-foot main house and sprawling grounds. They finally found a buyer in June 2022 for $10.8 million. They continue to own a duplex in a celebrity-filled NYC building on the Upper West Side. Their neighbors include good friends Lorne Michaels and Robert De Niro.

FAQs

What is Paul Simon’s net worth?

Paul Simon has an estimated net worth of $200 million, largely due to his successful career as a singer, songwriter, and performer both as part of Simon & Garfunkel and as a solo artist.

When was Paul Simon born?

Paul Simon was born on October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, USA.

What is Paul Simon solo career like?

After Simon & Garfunkel split in 1970, Paul Simon enjoyed a highly successful solo career. His most famous solo albums include Graceland (1986), Still Crazy After All These Years (1975), and The Rhythm of the Saints (1990). Graceland in particular was a massive success, blending pop with South African township music, and won several Grammy Awards.

What is the significance of the album Graceland?

Graceland is one of Paul Simon’s most influential albums, praised for its innovative fusion of American pop and South African music. It won the 1987 Grammy Award for Album of the Year and helped bring world music to a mainstream audience.

Conclusion

Paul Simon’s enduring legacy in the music world is built on his immense talent, innovative approach, and ability to blend diverse musical influences. From his groundbreaking work with Art Garfunkel in Simon & Garfunkel to his successful solo career, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of folk, pop, and world music. Albums like Graceland and Still Crazy After All These Years showcase his songwriting mastery and his ability to connect with listeners across generations.

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