Paul Simon's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Paul Simon.
Paul Simon is an American singer-songwriter, most famously known as one half of the duo Simon & Garfunkel. Meeting in elementary school, Simon and Art Garfunkel rose to fame in the 1960s. Their folk-rock sound, characterized by hits like "The Sound of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," "America," and "The Boxer," resonated with the counterculture movement. Their final album, Bridge over Troubled Water (1970), became one of the best-selling albums ever, solidifying their place in music history.
1965: "The Sound of Silence" Release
In 1965, Simon & Garfunkel released "The Sound of Silence", which became a hit and contributed to their rise to prominence.
1966: "Sounds of Silence" inducted into the National Recording Registry
In 1966, "Sounds of Silence" by Simon & Garfunkel was inducted into the National Recording Registry for its cultural significance.
1966: Success of "The Sound of Silence" and recording albums
In 1966, "The Sound of Silence" became a number 1 hit, leading Paul Simon to return to the US and reunite with Art Garfunkel to record albums.
1970: Release and Success of "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
In 1970, Simon & Garfunkel released "Bridge over Troubled Water", which became the bestselling album of all time at that point.
1971: Grammy Award for Album of the Year
In 1971, Paul Simon won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Bridge Over Troubled Water.
1976: Grammy Award for Album of the Year
In 1976, Paul Simon won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Still Crazy After All These Years.
1986: Release of "Graceland"
In 1986, Paul Simon released "Graceland", his most successful and acclaimed album, which incorporated South African influences.
1986: Awarded Honorary Degree from Berklee College of Music
In 1986, Paul Simon was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music, where he had served on the board of trustees.
1987: Graceland Wins Grammy
In 1987, Paul Simon's album Graceland won the Grammy for Album of the Year, marking a significant achievement in his career.
1988: Grammy Award for Album of the Year
In 1988, Paul Simon won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Graceland.
1990: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1990, Paul Simon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Simon & Garfunkel.
1990: Simon and Garfunkel Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1990, Simon and Garfunkel were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant contributions to music history.
1998: Induction into Grammy Hall of Fame
In 1998, Paul Simon's album Bridge over Troubled Water was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
2000: Released 'You're the One'
In 2000, Paul Simon released his album 'You're the One', which received favorable reviews and a Grammy nomination.
2001: MusiCares Person of the Year
In 2001, Paul Simon was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year.
2001: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a Solo Artist
In 2001, Paul Simon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his solo career.
2002: Oscar Nomination for Best Original Song
In 2002, Paul Simon received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for his song "Father and Daughter".
2002: Kennedy Center Honors Recipient
In 2002, Paul Simon was one of five recipients of the annual Kennedy Center Honors.
2002: Wrote and Recorded "Father and Daughter"
In 2002, Paul Simon wrote and recorded "Father and Daughter", the theme song for The Wild Thornberrys Movie, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
2003: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and US Tour
In 2003, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel performed together again after receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which led to a US tour.
2005: Honored at BMI Pop Awards
In 2005, Paul Simon was honored at the 53rd Annual BMI Pop Awards for his songwriting catalog, which had earned 39 BMI Awards.
2006: Named One of the 100 People Who Shaped the World
In 2006, Paul Simon was named as one of the "100 People Who Shaped the World" by Time.
2006: Graceland Added to National Recording Registry
In 2006, Paul Simon's album Graceland was added to the United States' National Recording Registry for its cultural and historical importance.
2007: Receives Gershwin Prize
In 2007, Paul Simon received the first annual Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, honoring his profound and positive effect on the world's culture.
2007: Recipient of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song
In 2007, Paul Simon was the first recipient of the Library of Congress's Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
2007: Inaugural Gershwin Prize Recipient
In 2007, Paul Simon was the inaugural recipient of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, awarded by the Library of Congress.
April 2008: Brooklyn Academy of Music Celebrates Paul Simon
In April 2008, the Brooklyn Academy of Music celebrated Paul Simon's works, dedicating a week to Songs From the Capeman.
2011: Named one of the 100 greatest guitarists by Rolling Stone
In 2011, Rolling Stone named Paul Simon one of the 100 greatest guitarists.
February 26, 2012: Tribute to Chuck Berry and Leonard Cohen
On February 26, 2012, Paul Simon paid tribute to Chuck Berry and Leonard Cohen at the JFK Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts, where they received the first annual PEN Awards for songwriting excellence.
2012: Awarded Polar Music Prize
In 2012, Paul Simon was awarded the Polar Music Prize, recognizing his contributions to music.
2015: Ranked 8th in the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time
In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked Paul Simon 8th in their list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.
2020: "Song for Sam Cooke" Honored
In 2020, American Songwriter honored Dion's "Song for Sam Cooke (Here in America)", featuring Paul Simon, as the "Greatest of the Great 2020 Songs".
2023: Ranked as 246th Greatest Guitarist of All Time
In 2023, Paul Simon was ranked the 246th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone.
