Early Life and Education of Paul Simon: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 27, 2025

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Paul Simon. From birth to education, explore key events.

Paul Simon is an influential American singer-songwriter, most famously known as one half of the duo Simon & Garfunkel. Rising to prominence in the 1960s, they created a distinctive folk-rock sound with iconic songs like "The Sound of Silence" and "Mrs. Robinson," which resonated with the counterculture movement. Their final album, Bridge over Troubled Water, achieved massive commercial success and remains a landmark in music history. Simon later pursued a successful solo career, further solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in popular music.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1964: Met Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Chitty

In 1964, Paul Simon met Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Chitty at the Railway Inn Folk Club in Brentwood, Essex, where she worked. They started a relationship when she was 16 and he was 22.

1965: Photo of Simon and Kathy on The Paul Simon Songbook album cover

In 1965, a photo of Paul Simon and Kathy together appeared on the cover of Simon's album The Paul Simon Songbook.

1969: Married Peggy Harper

In 1969, Paul Simon married Peggy Harper.

1970: Held auditions for a young songwriters' workshop

In 1970, after recording "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Paul Simon held auditions for a young songwriters' workshop at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, selecting six teenage songwriters for tutelage. Melissa Manchester and Maggie and Terre Roche were among them.

1972: Son Harper Simon was born

In 1972, Paul Simon and Peggy Harper had a son, Harper Simon.

1973: Founded the Guitar Study Center

Sometime before 1973, Paul Simon and his brother Eddie Simon founded the Guitar Study Center.

1975: Divorced Peggy Harper

In 1975, Paul Simon divorced Peggy Harper, inspiring the song "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover".

1976: Met Shelley Duvall while filming Annie Hall

In 1976, Paul Simon met actress Shelley Duvall while filming Annie Hall, and they began living together as a couple for two years.

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1978: Began dating Carrie Fisher

In 1978, Paul Simon began dating actress Carrie Fisher after being introduced by Shelley Duvall.

1983: Married Carrie Fisher

In 1983, Paul Simon married actress Carrie Fisher.

1983: Wrote about Peggy Harper in Train in the Distance

In 1983, Paul Simon wrote about his relationship with Peggy Harper in the song "Train in the Distance" from his album Hearts and Bones.

1984: Divorced Carrie Fisher

In 1984, Paul Simon and Carrie Fisher divorced.

January 1985: Performance for USA for Africa

In January 1985, Paul Simon performed for USA for Africa and on the relief fundraising single "We Are the World", contributing to the cause.

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1986: Honorary Degree from Berklee College of Music

In 1986, Paul Simon received an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music, where he had previously served on the board of trustees, recognizing his contributions to music.

May 30, 1992: Married Edie Brickell

On May 30, 1992, Paul Simon married singer Edie Brickell.

2001: Inspiration from turning 60

In 2001, Paul Simon turned 60, which served as an inspiration for his album "Surprise", particularly the song "Old" from "You're the One".

2002: Guitar Study Center Became part of The New School

Sometime before 2002, The Guitar Study Center became part of The New School in New York City.

2003: Supported Little Kids Rock

In 2003, Paul Simon became a supporter of Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit providing musical instruments and lessons to children in public schools. He is also on the board of directors as an honorary member.

May 2012: Performed at a benefit dinner for the Turkana Basin Institute

In May 2012, Paul Simon performed at a benefit dinner for the Turkana Basin Institute in New York City, raising over $2 million for Richard Leakey's research institute in Africa.

April 26, 2014: Involved in a domestic dispute with Edie Brickell

On April 26, 2014, Paul Simon and Edie Brickell were involved in a domestic dispute, and each received a summons to appear in court on disorderly conduct charges.

2019: Donated fee from Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival performance

For his 2019 performance at San Francisco's Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, Paul Simon donated his appearance fee to the San Francisco Parks Alliance and Friends of the Urban Forest.