First published 2018
Robert Hilburn traces Paul Simon's evolution from Queens teenager to musical icon. The veteran Los Angeles Times critic examines Simon's early partnership with Art Garfunkel, their meteoric rise with songs like "The Sound of Silence" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and the tensions that ultimately split the duo. Hilburn follows Simon's solo career as he explored world music, collaborated with South African musicians on Graceland, and continued pushing creative boundaries into his seventies. Drawing on extensive interviews and decades of music industry insight, Hilburn reveals the perfectionist artist behind classics like "Mrs. Robinson" and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." The book captures Simon's relentless drive to innovate and his struggles with fame, relationships, and artistic fulfillment.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, american, non-fiction, music, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: biography, creative-journey
Setting: Queens, Los Angeles
Period: 20th Century, 21st Century
448 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster