Sony Music Publishing announced it has acquired the song catalog of the incomparable Paul Simon, one of the greatest and most celebrated singer-songwriters of all time. The milestone deal includes Paul Simon’s classic songs spanning more than six decades, from his time as a member of Simon & Garfunkel, through his extraordinary career as a solo artist – among them, “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “The Boxer,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “Homeward Bound,” “I Am A Rock,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover,” “Still Crazy After All These Years,” “Graceland,” and many others.
Paul Simon’s unique body of work joins a diverse collection of culture-defining catalogs represented by Sony Music Publishing, including The Beatles, Leonard Cohen, Carole King, Lieber & Stoller, Michael Jackson, Motown, Queen, Ashford & Simpson, and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Paul Simon said, “I’m pleased to have Sony Music Publishing be the custodian of my songs for the coming decades. I began my career at Columbia/Sony Records and it feels like a natural extension to be working with the Publishing side as well.”
Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Publishing said, “Paul Simon is a masterful, once-in-a-lifetime songwriter whose remarkable body of work has generated an enduring influence on our culture and consciousness. From Simon and Garfunkel standards like ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ to solo classics such as ‘Graceland,’ Paul Simon’s music resonates deeply as a cultural touchstone for people all over the world. To represent his indelible songs is an incredible honor for Sony Music Publishing, so with tremendous pride, I welcome Paul to our family!”
Rob Stringer, Chairman, Sony Music Group said, “We are truly honored to now represent the music publishing catalog of Paul Simon. To be entrusted with his songs and recorded music is a privilege of the highest artistic order for the Sony Music Group worldwide.”
Paul Simon launched his music career as a member of Simon & Garfunkel. Beginning in 1964, the duo released five studio albums and achieved enormous success, selling over 100 million records to date. Simon and Garfunkel’s iconic recordings captivated millions in the late 1960s and 1970s. Paul Simon then embarked on an incredibly successful solo career, crafting innovative, genre-bending hits that received global acclaim and brought generations of music fans together. Paul’s pioneering influence as a solo artist remains a driving force behind many of today’s most popular songs. His recorded music catalog is signed to Sony Music Entertainment.
Over the course of his expansive career, Paul has received countless esteemed honors. He has won 16 Grammy awards, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also a member of The Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of its Johnny Mercer Award. Additionally, Paul is a two-time inductee into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, a Kennedy Center honoree, and the first ever recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Paul is also recognized for his work as a philanthropist – he is co-founder of The Children’s Health Fund, which provides access to comprehensive healthcare for children and families in underserved areas across the US. Paul has currently been involved with several environmental non-profits, most notably EO Wilson’s Half Earth Foundation.
Paul Simon was represented in the transaction by Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, P.C. and Sony Music Publishing was assisted by Davis Shapiro Lewit & Grabel, LLP.
