“Eh, he’s alright I guess. The Sound Of Silence is a good song.”
Close to everyone I have ever met have had that reaction whenever I’ve mentioned the genius of Paul Simon, one of the most overlooked, yet legendary songwriters of all time.
Hipsters, Gen-X’ers, and boomers love the other biggies. Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Joan Baez, and Bruce Springsteen, just to name a few. Don’t get me wrong, that’s great. Yet they seem to snub the fact that Paul wrote some of the most recognizable songs with some of the most touching, impeccable lyrics in music, and has a sense of creativity that no one else has. People also tend to throw aside the authentic African sounds of Graceland, and the fact that he’s been inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame twice. And let’s not forget that he technically won the Grammy for Album Of The Year three times in his life.
His retirement isn’t a total surprise, as he’s been throwing it around for a few years now. That said, it feels far too soon to be saying goodbye to such a creative mind already, who has brought so much joy into so many lives. Even if he only worked as a solo artist for the 46 years he did, rather than making music in general for 60, he still would have made it in the biz the way he did.
To me, Paul is, creatively, one in a million. Yes, there is bitterness he has about certain things, mainly the beef between himself and his former partner Art Garfunkel. But as a man who has almost always stuck to his word, worked nonstop for over 60 years, and is a recent advocate for saving the planet, (E.O Wilson’s Half-Earth Project) I think it’s more than safe to say that the man has had an extraordinary life.
Tomorrow night in Queens, NY will be the last show of his last ever tour. If you never got to see him, chew on this: Whether you were a die-hard fan, or a rapper who was being dragged to a show by a spouse or parent, Paul live would just blow you away. From the stories he tells to the new arrangements he plays, every show had so much energy and love put into it.
As for me, I’m so glad I got to experience him live not once, but twice. I’ve loved him since I was six, and have been following him since I was 13. And though this is the end of the road, I’ll never stop being a fan.
From the bottom of my heart…
Thank you, Paul Simon, times a bajillion.
Return if possible. Your fans aren’t going anywhere.
– – Josh Dezern, 9/21/2018
Josh Bradley Live 