Paul Simon is a singer-songwriter and musician most famously known for his partnership with Art Garfunkel and his experimental blending of pop with world music.

Simon's musical career began at his New Jersey high school where he met and befriended Garfunkel. The two sang together as a duo, performing at school dances and events. Their record company eventually nick-named the inseparable pair, “Tom & Jerry,” and it was this name that earned them their first successful hit.

From there, Simon & Garfunkel penned a series of time-tested albums between 1966 and 1970: Sounds of Silence, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, Bookends and Bridge Over Troubled Water. From these folk-rock masterpieces emerged such memorable singles as “The Sound of Silence,” “Homeward Bound,” “The 59th Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy),” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “The Only Living Boy in New York.” The duo’s fame sky-rocketed as a result of their appearance on the soundtrack for the 1967 classic film, The Graduate, most notably for the centerpiece track, “Mrs. Robinson.”

In 1970, Simon & Garfunkel split, which led Simon to write and record solo material. His most famous work as a solo artist comes from the 1975 album, Still Crazy After All These Years, with most notable single, “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” In 1986, he released the seminal Graceland, for which he won a Grammy. This album was revered for its use of African rhythms and performers. He continued his exploration of world music in 1990 with the release of The Rhythm of the Saints, which featured Brazilian musical themes.

Simon has made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once for his accomplishments as a solo artist and the other for his work with Garfunkel. Simon is also a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song, the nation's highest award for popular music.