Paul Frederick Simon was born in Newark, New Jersey, 13 October 1941. In a career going as far back as the 1950s, Paul Simon as earned his place among the best and most popular songwriters of the rock era.

Paul Simon got his education at "Queens College" and the "City University of New York". He hooked up with his childhood friend, Arthur Garfunkel, while they were both in high school. They parted, however, after releasing a minor hit, "Hey Schoolgirl", in 1957. The duo reunited in college when they both discovered that they shared an interest for folk-rock music.

In 1964 Simon and Garfunkel recorded their first album together for "Columbia Records". Wednesday Morning, 3AM earned the duo their first gold record. The album featured several Paul Simon originals, among which "The Sound of Silence" rose to a number one hit.

But their success did not end there. The duo released another 5 albums, which all sold to gold. Sounds of Silence (1965), Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme (1967), The Graduate - (film soundtrack) (1967), Bookends (1968), Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970). Bridge Over Troubled Water also won six Grammy Awards.

Paul and Art parted again in 1970. Paul was determined to pursue a career as a solo artist, and he released a solo album, Paul Simon, in 1972. The album featured rock, jazz and reggae music. In 1973 and 1974 he released two more albums, There Goes Rhymin' Simon and Live Rhymin'. A quiet period followed in his career. But in 1977 he released his most successful solo album of the 1970s, Still Crazy After All These Years.

In 1980 Paul showed his skills as a fairly good screenplayer. He wrote the screenplay, starred and composed the soundtrack for the movie, One Trick Pony. In 1981 he reunited for a short period with Art. A huge reunion concert in Central Park, NY, 13 September 1981 was followed by the release of Simon and Garfunkel - The Concert In Central Park. The duo considered a more permanent reunion, but once again the differences between them put a stop to yet another album. Instead, Paul released a solo album in 1983, Heart and Bones.

Beside being well-known for his folk-rock songs, Paul Simon also is widely known for his collaboration with musicians from many countries. In 1986 Paul visited South Africa to study their native music. The visit resulted in a new album, Graceland. The songs on Graceland was greatly influenced by Cajun and South African music and performed with a complement of more than 20 black musicians. Following the release of Graceland was a concert in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1987. The concert was greatly appreciated by an interracial audience. The same year, Graceland received a Grammy Award, and the single "Gracland" in 1988. In 1990 Paul Simon found himself in Brazil to explore the Brazilian rhythms and sounds. The trip resulted in the album, Rhythm Of The Saints.

15 August 1991, Paul Simon played a free concert in Central Park, 10 years after the record breaking Simon and Garfunkel reunion concert. A live album from the show followed shortly after. In 1993 Warner Bros. released a retrospective collectin on his career. The same year, The Paul Simon Anthology was released. Following these releases Paul undertook a tour that featured Art Garfunkel on some of their old hits, as well as covering other aspects of his career.

When Paul was working on Rhythm Of The Saints in 1989, he began thinking about the Capeman story as a basis for a musical. Almost 8 years later it became a reality. In 1997 he released Songs From The Capeman, an album featuring the songs from his upcoming Broadway musical, "The Story of the Capeman". The album included 13 brand new Paul Simon originals.

Except for a few "Best of..." releases and minor performances, it has been quiet around Paul Simon the last two years. He has spent this time well. He will this fall release a brand new album with 11 new tunes. You're The One is to be released on 26 September 2000. You can read more about the upcoming album here.