R E H T E TOG
G N O S IN
The poignant lyrics, captivating melodies, and infectious rhythms of a legendary musician inspire campus-wide experiences of community.
Lindsey Best
Above: Paul Simon with Ladysmith Black Mambazo during the Graceland tour, Zimbabwe, 1987. Photograph by Luise Gubb. Courtesy of Paul Simon Archive. Left: At this year’s first Sunset Concerts performance, copresented with the Bluegrass Situation, a sold-out crowd came to hear a new generation of troubadours pay tribute to Paul Simon’s legacy. Pictured here are Cary Brothers on vocals and Sean Watkins on guitar, backed up by The Bee Eaters.
At the entrance to the major summer exhibition Paul Simon: Words & Music, an excerpt from an exclusive interview with the artist introduced Skirball visitors to his storied life and career: “It’s absolutely true that music brings people together in a way that they can’t find in any other form. It’s nonverbal and it goes to something that’s deeply ingrained in our DNA.” From the instruments, records, photographs, and handwritten lyrics on display to the listening stations, interactive music lab, and family hangout space, Paul Simon: Words & Music exemplified Simon’s observation: that music forges connections between generations and across cultures. skirball.org
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