Search the Fresh Air Archive

Close Search

Paul Simon, Essential Then and Now

Singer-songwriter Paul Simon, recipient of the first annual Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, began his career in 1964 as half of the '60s folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, delivering classics like "The Sound of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson."

He went on to a successful solo career, with hits including Graceland, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," and "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard." He's written film soundtracks and Broadway shows, and has even done some acting.

Simon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as a solo artist and as part of Simon & Garfunkel. The pair also received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy.

This interview first aired on Dec. 11, 2000.

22:45
Queue

Guest

Host

Related Topics

Other segments from the episode on June 29, 2007

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, June 29, 2007: Interview with Paul Simon; Interview with John Peterson; Review of the films "Ratatouille" and "Sicko."
Queue
19:03

Documentary Digs 'The Real Dirt on Farmer John'

Illinois farmer John Peterson grew up on the farm, took it over after his father's death, and lost most of it in the '80s, when the bank foreclosed on his loans. Later, during the 90s, he turned the place into a community-supported agriculture venture producing organic food.

Interview
Queue
07:18

Eeew, Sick: Health Care, a Rat Chef and 'Die Hard'

Two momentous films open nationwide on the same day. Sicko radically challenges our perspective on health care. Ratatouille radically challenges our perspective on rats in kitchens. Cynics will say there's a better chance of a rodent becoming a chef than of universal health care for Americans. That underestimates the big fighting rat at the center of Sicko.

Review

Transcript

Transcripts Not Currently Available.

Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

You May Also like

Queue
42:35

Paul Simon Discusses His Long Career.

Singer/songwriter Paul Simon. In 1964 he and Art Garfunkle, as the duo Simon & Garfunkle, hit number one on the pop charts with the song “Sound of Silence.” They continued with 5 albums that all sold gold. After a split in 1970, Simon continued writing songs and took up a solo singing career. His albums include “Still Crazy After All These Years,” “Graceland,” and “Rhythm of the Saints.” His new album is “You’re The One.” (Warner Bros.)

Interview

Did you know you can create a shareable playlist?

Learn How
Advertisement

Recently on Fresh Air Available to Play on NPR

52:30

Daughter of Warhol star looks back on a bohemian childhood in the Chelsea Hotel

Alexandra Auder's mother, Viva, was one of Andy Warhol's muses. Growing up in Warhol's orbit meant Auder's childhood was an unusual one. For several years, Viva, Auder and Auder's younger half-sister, Gaby Hoffmann, lived in the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan. It was was famous for having been home to Leonard Cohen, Dylan Thomas, Virgil Thomson, and Bob Dylan, among others.

Queue

Related segments from the Fresh Air Archive:

43:04

This fake 'Jury Duty' really put James Marsden's improv chops on trial

In the series Jury Duty, a solar contractor named Ronald Gladden has agreed to participate in what he believes is a documentary about the experience of being a juror--but what Ronald doesn't know is that the whole thing is fake.

Queue

Related segments from the Fresh Air Archive:

See All Recent Segments

There are more than 22,000 Fresh Air segments.

Let us help you find exactly what you want to hear.
Just play me something
Your Queue

Would you like to make a playlist based on your queue?

Generate & Share View/Edit Your Queue