Paul Simon, former songwriter and backup singer for the duo Simon & Garfunkel, completely embarrassed himself trying to sing the 1970 Simon & Garfunkel classic Bridge Over Troubled Water at the Democratic Convention in Philadelphia last night.
The song, a challenge for anyone, was originally sung mainly by Art Garfunkel. Supposedly the seeds for the break-up of the duo were planted with Simon seething on the side of the stage (as people marveled at Art's vocalization on Bridge): "Yeah, I wrote this!!!! He just sings it!..."
If only Arty had been called up to come to Philadelphia for a reunion of the famed duo. He could have done this song justice...
But Simon probably put the kibosh on that, even though that would have been a better metaphor for the alleged bridge-building going on between the forces of Hillary and the Berners.
Besides spending decades disparaging Garfunkel, Simon has also been accused of ripping off Los Lobos on The Myth of Fingerprints, and there are numerous tales over the years of him being rude to random people, especially underlings.
I worked at an event where Paul was one of the performers. I passed him backstage, well before the show started. There was no one else around and nothing was going on at the time. Our eyes met and I said "hello". He did not answer and stared into the distance. The amount of energy it would have taken him to say "hello" or nod his head was infinitesimal, compared to the amount of ill will this snub generated in a one-time fan.
That's just one person's anecdote. But multiply that by the scores of similar tales told over time, and the picture emerges of an egomaniacal singer who can no longer sing, which is about as flattering as Simon's comb-over at this point.
Many, many years ago I walked into Manny's Music in Manhattan just after they'd opened for business in the morning. I was looking for a new 12 string guitar and there was Simon playing the exact instrument I was considering. I thought it no big deal at the time (I'd not realized I was in the presence of deity) and asked him what he thought of that particular instrument. He turned toward me and his look was one of outrage and incredulity. I was much younger then and said something like "Oh excuse me. I forgot to genuflect." Maybe he was working on a song in his head or something, and I'd spoiled his concentration, but his reaction seemed rather harsh.
ReplyDeleteHis manager called out some girl claiming she took a picture when the girl did not even know it was Paul Simon who came up to her group that she was taking pics of. The girl tried to show Simon and that manager her camera and she was dismissed after the nasty accusation. The girl did not even go to Simon‘s concert and could care less about getting a photo. There is an inflated self-worth of both Mr Simon and his manager that registers as misogyny given that there was ZERO APOLOGY. I‘m sure Carrie Fisher was mistreated in her marriage if Mr Simon does not have the balls to stand up for women who are falsely accused of taking photos of somebody who does not even look like Paul Simon. He has no voice. Art Garfunkel is AMAZING though!
ReplyDeleteGo away Pablo .....
ReplyDeleteYes Paul is delusional about his self worth and he has ripped off other artists music but if you look at everything he's done musically it's pretty obvious he's a genius. I'm not defending him but I can see why he believes that about himself.
ReplyDelete1.) Because he really is that great in the music part of his life.
2.) He doesn't like people to bother him. Especially ones he doesn't know. I think I would get sick of it also.
Remember the line from Stevie Nicks...."Players only love you when they're playing". That's true for most people.
Maybe he hasn't got that patience with all the fans he constantly meets.
DeleteI know that fans can be hard on the people they admire also.
If the musician doesn't 'give' what the fan expects sometimes the musician gets hard reactions also. Maybe he likes to keep distance from all of that. Out of self protection.
Yes Paul is delusional about his self worth and he has ripped off other artists music but if you look at everything he's done musically it's pretty obvious he's a genius. I'm not defending him but I can see why he believes that about himself.
ReplyDelete1.) Because he really is that great in the music part of his life.
2.) He doesn't like people to bother him. Especially ones he doesn't know. I think I would get sick of it also.
Remember the line from Stevie Nicks...."Players only love you when they're playing". That's true for most people.
Good post, Unknown, May 25
ReplyDeleteHe did rip off Los Lobos. He's not even worthy of hauling their equipment. So full of himself it's pathetic.
ReplyDeleteSame type of story here. Working security backstage in Boston during a S&G tour back in around 2003 or '04.
ReplyDeleteThere was a huge snow storm so both artists were driven up from NYC in separate limos because the airports were closed.
Garfunkel got there first and was so pleasant and happy and even stopped when I said hello and told me how much he always loves the energy from the crowd here in Boston.
A few minutes later Mr Simon shows up and marched right down the hallway literally grumbling, withou making eye contact with any of the 15 or so people there to greet him.
There is also the other side pointed out in another post. Hes a musician not a politician. I love what he has given me in that respect.
I met Simon backstage after a concert of his in Costa Mesa in 2006. He was walking around and I spoke to him briefly and told him he did a great job. He couldn't even look me in the eye. He acted as if there was nothing he'd rather be doing less. Such an awkward, unapproachable person. I'm about a foot taller than him so maybe that's why he was being rude. Haha. I was 19. I had met Artie a couple years earlier after a show of his and he was seriously such a sweet guy. He kept marveling over how someone so young could be such a big fan and took a picture with me. No doubt who the aggressor was in their quarrels.
DeleteWhen a Martin guitar rep delivered a guitar to Simon, he poked his head out of the room after given it a private test run. "It sucks", said Simon. He then laughed. He was "joking" and took possession of the instrument. However, this just illustrates how Simon's default mode is A-hole, even when he is getting what exactly what he wants - in this case, a custom made Martin guitar.
ReplyDeleteAt the private opening night party for Capeman, his rather mediocre Broadway musical that didn't run for very long, I attempted to talk to Paul and he pretty much looked through me. I handed him a business card and he looked around, trying to find a place to put it down where I wouldn't notice. His musical was about Hispanic street people in New York's Hell's Kitchen, in the late fifties. I'm sure this arrogant little twit never actually had a conversation with a poor Hispanic. Maybe he observed them as he drove by in his limousine. "Seeking out the poorer quarters where the ragged people go." Is that how a "poor boy" would talk or are these the words of an above it all millionaire celebrity, looking down at a poor boy?
ReplyDelete