Paul Simon Opens Up About Hit Songs' Inspiration

 
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS News) For 50 years, Paul Simon has been a leader in American pop music. He's written dozens of classic songs like "The Sound of Silence" and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and "You Can Call Me Al."

Famed jazz instrumentalist and composer and CBS News cultural correspondent Wynton Marsalis recently sat down with the 70-year-old Simon - musician-to-musician - to talk about how Simon became one of the most important artists of his generation.

Simon opened up to Marsalis about the roots of his inspiration and how he expresses himself through music now.

"When I was in my 20s and 30s really pretty much what I thought was really good and liked, so did everybody else," Simon said. "That's not the case anymore. But I'm past that point in my life, I am only concentrating on what I can make and how I can do this without lying."

Watch the full "CBS This Morning" report, including discussion with Marsalis about his interview with the star, here...
VIDEO: "CBS This Morning"

Video courtesy of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Inc.

Special thanks to Paul Simon. For more on the legendary artist go to www.PaulSimon.com for a 25th Anniversary of "Graceland" special release and DVD.

See Paul Simon perform along with Cyndi Lauper, The Wallflowers, Janelle Monae and many more at San Francisco Symphony's Black & White Ball Saturday, June 2.

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