Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Paul Simon discovered that his song “The Sound of Silence” was becoming a hit while he was in Europe, after reading an issue of Cashbox magazine.
Paul Simon has experienced many turning points throughout his long career.
In an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, recorded April 3, the 84-year-old musician reflected on his early rise to fame. He recalled moving to London in 1964, where he spent two years developing his musical style and deepening his skills as a guitarist.
During that time, Simon said his musical influences expanded significantly. He developed a strong appreciation for the music scene around him and transitioned from electric guitar to acoustic, learning fingerpicking techniques that shaped his performance style. He also performed regularly in small folk clubs—often simple rooms above pubs—where audiences were typically only a few dozen people. These early gigs helped him learn how to structure a live set and connect with an audience.
While speaking with Colbert, Simon also revisited the moment he was abroad when “The Sound of Silence,” recorded with Art Garfunkel, unexpectedly began gaining traction in the United States. The original 1964 release had initially failed to chart, but after being remixed with electric instrumentation in 1965, it started climbing the charts.
Without modern technology to track its success, Simon relied on Cashbox, a music industry magazine that published weekly rankings. He recalled checking the “bubbling under” section, which tracked songs just below the top 100, and gradually seeing the track rise week by week until it reached No. 59.
At that moment, he realized the impact it would have on his future, later describing it as the point when he understood his life had permanently changed.
“The Sound of Silence” eventually reached No. 1 on both Cashbox and Billboard charts in 1966, launching Simon & Garfunkel into major success. The duo went on to release numerous classic hits before Simon later embarked on a solo career that produced further acclaimed songs and earned him recognition in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as both a duo member and solo artist.
