Paul Simon
The Life
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Simon & Schuster Ltd
Published:4th Apr '19
Should be back in stock very soon
This biography offers an in-depth look at Paul Simon's life, exploring his artistic journey, personal struggles, and the impact of his music on popular culture.
In Paul Simon, acclaimed biographer Robert Hilburn provides an intimate and candid portrayal of one of America's most celebrated songwriters. This definitive biography is crafted with Simon's participation and encouragement, offering readers a unique glimpse into his life and creative process. Hilburn's extensive interviews, totaling over sixty hours, reveal the complexities of Simon's artistic journey, as well as the personal challenges he has faced throughout his career.
Through iconic hits like The Sound of Silence and Graceland, Simon has expressed themes of alienation, doubt, and resilience, solidifying his place in American pop music history. Despite his reluctance to share his story with biographers in the past, Simon opens up to Hilburn, allowing family and friends to share their insights as well. This collaboration results in a rich narrative that explores not only Simon's musical achievements but also the sacrifices and struggles that accompany a life dedicated to artistry.
Paul Simon delves into the highs and lows of Simon's personal life, including his partnerships with Art Garfunkel, multiple marriages, and the impact of fame and public scrutiny. The biography paints a portrait of an artist who continuously seeks to protect his creativity from the distractions of life, making it a compelling read for fans and those interested in the intricacies of artistic expression.
'There are two great storytellers colliding here. There’s no tougher a mind, no more tender a voice than Paul Simon, and there’s no better man than Robert Hilburn to decipher the hardwiring of this hyperintellect. From the prologue I was sucked in, suckered into a sense that I too might discover the genetic code of some of the greatest songs of any century. By the epilogue, you realize the great songs can never be fully explained, but the great man on his way to find those songs surely can.' -- Bono
'When it comes to writing songs, no one does it better than Paul Simon. Robert Hilburn’s is a wise andwinning account of our most nimble, nuanced, and numinous poet-musician.' -- Paul Muldoon
'A tantalizing look into the mind and writing process of the man who is arguably the finest craftsman of the American popular song since the Gershwin brothers, this book will delight any Paul Simon fan or student of popular culture.' -- Linda Ronstadt
‘this stately biography does capture the tension between the focused, ambitious songwriter and his dreamy, unreliable former partner’ * The Times *
'This definitive biography tells the stories behind the hits - and of his fiery relationship with Art Garfunkel.' * Mail on Sunday *
'The first officially-sanctioned biography of the great singer-songwriter. It is everything fans could have hoped for, including valuable insights into Simon's life and art, and the cause of what appears to be his final personal rupture with Art Garfunkel.' * Choice magazine *
'Hilburn...ably demonstrates the respect in which Simon his held by fellow songwriters' * Spectator *
ISBN: 9781471174209
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 28mm
Weight: unknown
448 pages