Paul Simon FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Legendary Singer and the Iconic Songs

by Dave Thompson

Overview

Here is a fascinating, all-encompassing journey through the life and career of one of America’s most influential, and literate, songwriters.

Beginning with Simon’s earliest days as an aspiring teenage idol and Tin Pan Alley songsmith, Paul Simon FAQ takes readers through Simon’s sometimes tempestuous relationship with singing partner Art Garfunkel, with whom he established the most popular musical duo in rock history.

The book goes behind the scenes of Simon’s groundbreaking work at the forefront of world music and follows him to his emotional 2018 final concert before his retirement-from performing live.

In addition, Paul Simon FAQ features chapters dedicated not only to Simon’s music but also his stage, screen, and television work, his devotion to charity, and more. Influences such as Bob Dylan, the Everly Brothers, and the Child Ballads are examined, while his songwriting is documented not only through his own recordings but also those of the myriad other artists who have covered his compositions. Fact-filled sidebars serve up a wealth of statistics and lists. In short, Paul Simon FAQ is the ultimate guide to the consummate performer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781495079917
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/20/2019
Series:	FAQ
Pages:	344
Sales rank:	1,059,850
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Dave Thompson is the author of some two hundred books on rock and pop music, pop culture, and many other topics. His writing has also appeared in Rolling Stone, Mojo, Alternative Press, Goldmine, and many other publications. He lives in Newark, Delaware.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

1 Childhood Friends 1

2 Harmony and High School 13

3 Blowing in the Wind 24

4 Paul Simon's London 37

5 Paul Simon's Songbook 53

6 The Teacher 73

7 Kingston, Jamaica 86

8 Live Rhymin'-In Concert 1973-1980 96

9 Simon and Art Reunion 115

10 That's Me on the TV 133

11 Graceland 148

12 The Music of the World 172

13 Stage and Screen 193

14 Enter the Capeman 216

15 Bobby, Paul, and Brian 231

16 Hello Artie, My Old Friend 250

17 Twenty-First-Century Philanthropist 260

18 Still Questing After All These Years 282

19 Come On, Take Me to the Next Frontier 297

20 Homeward Bound 304

Selected Bibliography 319

Index 323