I’ve been a Paul Simon fan back almost to the Tom and Jerry days. I was excited to see this press release today.
Paul Simon To Be Awarded First Annual Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by Library of Congress
Concert Gala at Warner Theatre on May 23 and Broadcast Nationally on PBS June 27
“Graceland” To Be Included in Library’s National Recording RegistryPaul Simon, one of America’s most respected songwriters and musicians, will be the recipient of the first annual Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Named in honor of the legendary George and Ira Gershwin, this newly created award recognizes the profound and positive effect of popular music on the world’s culture. The prize will be given annually to a composer or performer whose lifetime contributions exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins.
“The Gershwin Prize is a milestone in the Library’s mission to recognize and celebrate creativity in order to spark imagination in this and future generations. Few songwriters have had a broader influence or contributed more to song genres than Paul Simon. Because of the depth, range and sheer beauty of his music, as well as its ability to bridge peoples and cultures, he is the perfect first recipient of this prestigious award,” said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington in making the announcement.
Upon being notified of receiving this honor, Simon said, “I am grateful to be the recipient of the Gershwin Prize and doubly honored to be the first. I look forward to spending an evening in the company of artists I admire at the award ceremony in May. I can think of a few who have expressed my words and music far better than I. I’m excited at the prospect of that happening again. It’s a songwriter’s dream come true.”
During his distinguished career Paul Simon has received many awards and prizes, including 12 Grammy Awards, three for album of the year: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” in 1970 (with musical partner Art Garfunkel), “Still Crazy After All These Years” in 1976 and “Graceland ” in 1986, which was recently selected as part of the Library’s National Recording Registry. The Librarian will officially announce all 25 selections to the registry on March 6.
Simon is a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as half of the Simon and Garfunkel duo and again in 2001 as a soloist. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a 2002 Kennedy Center Honoree. In 2006 Time Magazine named Paul Simon one of the “100 People Who Shaped the World.” Simon was the first American artist invited by President Nelson Mandela to perform in post-apartheid South Africa.
The Library will celebrate Simon’s musical achievements with an all-star gala concert on Wednesday, May 23 at 8 p.m. at the Warner Theatre, located at 1299 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. A full lineup will be announced soon.
The creators and executive producers of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song are Peter and Bob Kaminsky, Mark Krantz and Cappy McGarr, who are also the creators and executive producers of the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, now in its 10th year. WETA executive producers of the broadcast are Dalton Delan and David S. Thompson. The event will be broadcast in high definition on Wednesday, June 27 at 9 p.m. EDT on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings).
A companion Web site featuring archival footage, images and audiovisual recordings of Simon and the Gerswhins, along with resources from the Library’s Music Division, will be launched soon at www.loc.gov.
Simon To Be Awarded First Gershwin Prize - The Library Today (Library of Congress)
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