October 13, 1941
One of the greatest songwriters of our time, Hall of Fame singer Paul Simon was born on this date in Newark, New Jersey.
As a teen growing up in Queens, New York, he first became involved in music at 15, forming a duo with classmate Arthur Garfunkel known as Tom & Jerry – named after the ’50s cartoon duo of the same name.
Garfunkel used the name Tommy Graph (after his interest in mathematics) while Simon called himself Jerry Landis, the surname of a girl he once dated.
The two teenagers were signed to a recording contract with the independent label Big Records, owned by an entrepreneur named Sid Posen.
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[Note] Some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
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HEY, SCHOOLGIRL
Tom & Jerry
[1957]
Modeling their harmonic vocal style after their idols, The Everly Brothers, they recorded an entire 10-track album (written by Graph and/or Landis) for the Big label, called Two Teenagers, which produced the single Hey, Schoolgirl in 1957 (it even has an Everly’s Wake Up Little Susie feel to it).
[Note] On September 19, 1981, Simon & Garfunkel performed and recorded ‘Wake Up Little Susie’ live during The Concert In Central Park, which is on the album of the same name. Also released as a single in 1982, it reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 – and is the duo’s last Top 40 hit.
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‘Hey, Schoolgirl’ ended up selling 100,000 copies and reached #49 on the Billboard Singles chart – remaining in the Top 100 for 9 weeks.
[Note] After the U.S. Senate began investigating the illegal Payola Scandal with 1959’s Congressional Payola Investigations, it’s now a well known fact that along with many other record companies/labels for their songs, Posen used payola (cash for airplay) to secure favor for Tom & Jerry’s record on the Top 40 radio show of legendary rock’n’roll DJ Alan Freed, as well as for exposure on Dick Clark‘s famed TV dance show American Bandstand.
DEEP TRAK!
DANCIN’ WILD
Tom & Jerry
[1957]
Here’s the B-side of ‘Hey Schoolgirl’, titled Dancin’ Wild.
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Reportedly, Paul and Arthur shared just 2% of the proceeds from sales of the single (about $4,000) while Posen kept the rest.
Oldies Freaks Fact: The single was released one year later in 1958 on King Records
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The duo reverted to their real names, becoming Simon & Garfunkel in 1963. But after the failed success of their first single (the acoustic folk song The Sounds Of Silence) in 1964, they split up shortly after, with Simon going to graduate school.
But while on sabbatical, the initial S&G record was re-worked by their record company, Columbia Records – an electrified folk-rock version of ‘The Sounds Of Silence’ – and became a #1 hit in 1965. This led to the duo reforming and remaining together until 1971.
During those 5 years, the partnership produced five studio albums and a dozen Top 20 singles on the Hot 100, including two additional #1’s – Mrs. Robinson (1968) and their biggest hit, Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970).
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
Simon & Garfunkel
[1970]
The song was written by Simon – although Garfunkel sings the solo lead vocal (at Paul’s invitation). This is one of their very best; featuring the legendary L.A. group of studio musicians The Wrecking Crew – Hal Blaine on drums, Joe Osborn playing bass and the classic piano parts performed by keyboardist Larry Knechtel.
The title track from their fifth and last studio album Bridge Over Troubled Water is ranked at #48 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time.
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Simon & Garfunkel have briefly re-united off and on since 1971, with both Paul and Arthur subsequently having prolific solo careers – particularly Simon.
While Garfunkel has had but two Top 20 hits – All I Know (1973 • #9) and I Only Have Eyes For You (1975 • #18) – Simon has produced six, including three million-sellers – Loves Me Like A Rock (with The Dixie Hummingbirds) (1971 • #2), 50 Way To Leave Your Lover (with Patty Austin, Phoebe Snow and Valerie Simpson on backup vocals) (1975 • #1) and Slip Slidin’ Away (with the Oak Ridge Boys singing backup) (1977 • #5).
50 WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER
Paul Simon
[1975]
Here’s Paul Simon’s biggest solo hit – and only #1 record – from his fourth album Still Crazy After All These Years.
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In 2001, Paul Simon was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and earlier this year was ranked 8th by Rolling Stone on their elite list of The 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
Paul Simon: Circa 2013
DEEP(er) TRAK!
MOTORCYCLE
Tico & The Triumphs
[1962]
In early 60’s pre-Simon & Garfunkel, Paul used several pseudonyms (Jerry Landis, Paul Kane, and True Taylor) to write more material for a group of which he was a part (center/below) called Tico & The Triumphs. They recorded four singles, one of which – Motorcycle – clawed to #99 on Billboard.
[Note] During this period, Art Garfunkel also penned songs as Artie Garr.
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DEEP(est) TRAK!
THE LONE TEEN RANGER
Jerry Landis
[1963]
Also pre-S&G, Simon wrote and recorded a song as Jerry Landis in 1963, a novelty record called The Long Teen Ranger. It only faired a little better than Motorcycle, peaking at #97 on the charts.
On Paul Simon’s 74th today, here’s hoping he’s “still crazy after all these years” – the best way to be!
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Songs Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
