Paul Simon’s “A Quiet Celebration” Graces Forest Hills Stadium
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Paul Simon dresses up in a light blue suit, Photo by Michael Perlman.
A firsthand account of Paul Simon’s two-night decades-long extravaganza.
By Michael Perlman
It was history-in-the-making and home sweet home for Queens’-own Paul Simon, the legendary singer, songwriter, and guitarist, who made a comeback to Forest Hills Stadium on July 8 and July 9, an iconic stop along his “A Quiet Celebration” tour. This columnist attended the first concert, where he performed a diverse repertoire ranging from his new compositions to classics, and local to out-of-towners spanning all ages found his music to be soothing and occasionally danced and sang, as daylight transitioned into a starlit sky.
Some fans reminisced a definitive folk-rock sound that swept the nation in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to Paul Simon (born October 13, 1941) and singer Art Garfunkel (born November 5, 1941), graduates of Forest Hills High School in 1958. As part of the annual Forest Hills Music Festival, the duo initially took the Stadium stage on August 6, 1966, followed by August 12, 1967, August 17, 1968, and July 17 and 18, 1970. Then they pursued solo careers. Paul Simon previously made a Stadium comeback on June 30, 2016, adding a new chapter of memories without losing his spark. In February 2018, he announced a farewell tour, “Homeward Bound,” with shows throughout North America and Europe, but could not resist sharing his passion with a mix of younger and older generations alike in 2026. The very emotional concert featured distinctive phrasing and revised vocal arrangements to accommodate a modified but very memorable voice at age 84. His band was a master of the trade. Acoustic renditions were plentiful, captivating the audience, and further rapport was generated through his narration by provided engaging background details, enabling the audience to walk in his footsteps.
Paul Simon told the diverse audience, “The last time I played here, we were dodging lightning bolts. The first time that I played here was in August 1966 – Sixty years ago. I’m pretty amazed myself, actually.” After explaining the opening act’s timespan and the main set, he said, “I hope you’ll enjoy yourselves.”
The evening opened with his over 30-minute introspective quality “Seven Psalms,” consisting of “The Lord,” “Love Is Like A Braid,” “My Professional Opinion,” “Your Forgiveness,” “Trail of Volcanoes,” “The Sacred Harp,” and “Wait.” The main set featured “Graceland” from his titled signature 1986 album, “Slip Slidin’ Away,” “Train in The Distance,” Simon & Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound,” “The Late Great Johnny Ace,” a memorable and heartwarming duet with his wife Edie Brickell for “Under African Skies,” “Rene and Georgette Magritte with Their Dog After The War,” “Father and Daughter,” “Rewrite,” “Spirit Voices,” “The Cool, Cool River,” “Diamonds on The Soles of Her Shoes.” The audience was in for a generous encore featuring “Me and Julio Down by The Schoolyard,” “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover,” “Something So Right,” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer.” A second encore treated fans to Simon & Garfunkel’s “America,” last performed five years prior, and “The Sound of Silence.”
Paul Simon was humorous at times, as well as humble and grateful. In anticipation of performing “Under African Skies” from the “Graceland” album, Paul Simon said, “I wrote this song for a dear friend, Joseph Shabalala. Joseph was the founder and lead singer of a great Zulu choir, Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South African male choral group).” Another engaging moment was introducing Bakithi Kumalo, a bassist who is the only survivor from the Graceland band.
Paul Simon engages audience, July 8, 2026, Photo by Michael Perlman.
Backtracking to their roots, it is no surprise that the Forest Hills High School yearbook, The Forester, featured Paul F. Simon’s passion as chorus (alongside law) and Arthur Garfunkel’s as music. At 15, in less than an hour, they composed their earliest party tune sensation, “Hey Schoolgirl,” a spinoff of the Everly Brothers’ lyrics and harmonies of “Hey Doll Baby.” It was performed throughout Queens. At FHHS, they would perform and were known as “Tom & Jerry.” They attended PS 164 and Parsons JHS, and were nearby neighbors in Kew Gardens Hills. Paul Simon resided at 137-62 70th Road, a circa 1946 Colonial rowhouse with casement windows, whereas Art Garfunkel was raised at 136-58 72nd Avenue, a circa 1940 brick house.
A glorious evening resurfaces through the perspectives of concertgoers. Upper East Side resident Ariana Shushan who attended with her sister Natalie Shushan explained, “As a Forest Hills native, Simon and Garfunkel songs felt like they were always present. Our Forest Hills High School auditorium is the ‘Simon & Garfunkel auditorium.’ When their music plays, I proudly claim them as fellow alumni and local treasures. My introduction to Paul Simon’s music is a distinctive memory. I was in college and my sister heard the type of music I was gravitating towards, and she recommended I listen to ‘Graceland.’ It soon became the soundtrack of my days. My sister and I frequently discuss the way her dear friend in college introduced her to the album, and his brother introduced it to him previously; the way we are shaped by each other and never know quite where the influence begins or ends, but we’re altered nonetheless. Paul Simon’s music feels particularly timeless.”
Shushan will remember the July 8 concert’s electric energy, inspiring concertgoers to dance. She considers it a precious offering with lyrics as “poetry strung together with beautiful and fun rhythms.” “You hear the words, and they are inevitably relatable and joyful in the same step. Different albums have different paces. The thread is the whimsical joy they bring.” She continued, “Most songs felt like an intimate, acoustic set, while others brought new life to classic tunes. I loved the way Paul Simon prefaced singing ‘Homeward Bound’ with a story of his early days, hanging out in the neighborhood with Garfunkel, and the song itself felt so fitting at Forest Hills Stadium. Certain songs brought so much life to the stadium, like ‘Diamonds on The Soles of Her Shoes.’ ‘The Boxer’ was also a highlight. The way the crowd cheered every time there was a mention of NY brought collective joy.”
Forest Hills Stadium is idyllic, tying in with Paul Simon. “It’s an open air and warm environment that felt intimate and perfect for his acoustic and more lively set. Our neighborhood shaped him, and it’s such a gift to have it here.” Eyeing his future, she said, “I hope he continues to actualize and feel that he expressed himself to his heart’s content.”
Kew Gardens Cinemas manager Justine Mastanduno called Paul Simon’s concert a welcome home party. “Our hometown boy came back to visit and brought his wife to meet us all. What a bonus to have Edie Brickell grace the stage! It would be a dream come true to have Simon & Garfunkel reunite for some shows. They made amends a couple of years ago, so anything is possible,” she said.
Legendary Paul Simon in his shades welcoming his audience, Photo by Michael Perlman.
Mastanduno has been a fan since childhood, when her mother often played Mike Nichols’ “The Graduate” soundtrack. “As time progressed and she added more of their music to her collection, we’d sing along to songs like ‘Cecilia’ and ‘The Boxer,’ which is my favorite. What a thrill to sing along to that one at Forest Hills Stadium on July 9th! A stadium filled with neighbors in his hometown, one huge chorus, ‘lie la lie’…. Beautiful! It moved me, so I was on my feet with my hands in the air. He’s such a great storyteller that even the lesser known songs were so enjoyable.”
Forest Hills resident David Edelman, who teaches U.S. history at the Washington Irving Campus High School, could not miss this historic gig, which he felt was a homecoming in every sense of the word. “It was a celebration of Paul Simon’s remarkable career and a fitting part of New York City’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. There was also an unmistakable sense of global unity, similar to the spirit from The World Cup,” he explained.
“One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when Simon reflected on the significance of returning to Forest Hills Stadium nearly 60 years after he first performed there in 1966 with his friend and fellow FHHS alum Art Garfunkel. The audience understood they were witnessing not just a concert, but a full-circle moment in music history,” said Edelman.
Backtracking, he was first introduced to Paul Simon by his counselors at the Catskills sleepaway Camp Summit. Around the same time, he borrowed my father’s Simon & Garfunkel records, and transferred them to cassette tapes to listen to them whenever he desired. He also discovered sharing Paul Simon’s birthday (October 13), which fostered an even stronger musical connection, which is undoubtedly distinguishable. Edelman explained, “There is a remarkable blend of lyrical sophistication, storytelling, and musical curiosity. Throughout his career, he has seamlessly incorporated influences from folk, rock, gospel, jazz, South African township music, Brazilian rhythms, and other world traditions without ever losing his unmistakable voice. Even at this career stage, his performances remain intimate and thoughtful. Rather than relying on spectacle, Simon allows songs to speak for themselves, creating an atmosphere that feels deeply personal and reflective.”
“’Homeward Bound’ felt especially poignant, as Simon was literally returning to his hometown of Forest Hills while nearing the twilight of an extraordinary career. ‘America’ was an equally fitting choice, serving as a powerful soundtrack to New York City’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Hearing thousands of people sing along beneath the night sky made the song feel timeless and profoundly relevant,” said Edelman.
Forest Hills Stadium is idyllic and the perfect backdrop for Paul Simon. Edelman considers it a place where New York seems to fold time upon itself. “Hidden within one of Queens’ most beautiful neighborhoods, the historic venue evokes another era while remaining remarkably intimate. There was a quiet transformation as longtime fans filled the stands, including some of their young children, an especially fitting sight during Simon’s performance of ‘Father and Daughter.’ It felt less like attending a concert and more like gathering for a community celebration. There could hardly be a more appropriate setting for a Queens native returning home after six decades of extraordinary music-making.
Edelman is proud of how Paul Simon already secured his place as one of America’s greatest songwriters. “My hope is that he continues to find joy in making music, whether through performing, writing, or simply sharing his gifts in whatever way feels most meaningful to him. I also hope his songs continue to inspire future generations with the curiosity, adventurous spirit, compassion, and humanity that defined his remarkable career.”
Paul Simon concerts sold out, Photo by Michael Perlman.
Edelman knew Paul Simon was short, but observing him in person, even from the upper stands, really put his stature into perspective. “After the concert, I looked up his height and learned that he stands about 5 feet 3 inches tall. His physical stature only underscores a larger truth. Like many of America’s Founding Fathers, Simon demonstrates that intellectual and artistic greatness has nothing to do with height, proving that the measure of a giant is characterized through the power of their abilities.”
“Besides loving Paul Simon’s voice and his harmonies with art, I find his music to be poems set to tunes. The words are deep and meaningful, and I find listening to him to be peaceful, moving, and exciting,” said Forest Hills resident Jan Weinstein, who has a particular fondness for the period when he worked with South African musicians. She reminisced, “His music was an indelible part of my growing up, and I always felt a sense of pride whether he mentioned New York City or Corona. We joked that when he played my little town, and the line was ‘Riding my bike past the gates of the factories,’ that he must be referring to some of the bagel stores in the neighborhood, since those are some of the only factories we knew.”
“I hope Paul Simon continues to perform with Edie Brickell, since they sound great. My favorite song was ‘The Boxer,’ and it was incredible how the audience got together for the chorus. We got a bonus when he played ‘America,’ which is very meaningful in these troubled times,” said Weinstein.
Forest Hills resident Evan Cohen became a fan in 1972 at 11, upon hearing his first self-titled solo album, and then purchased every Simon & Garfunkel album and became mesmerized by their catalog. Fast-forwarding to the July 8 concert, highlights were his storytelling and overall engagement with the audience. He was pleasantly surprised that the audience’s age range was “a cool diverse mix of young and old fans.” “What makes his music distinguishable is his smooth delivery, relatability to the audience, and of course his incredible songwriting ability,” said Cohen. Some of his favorite songs were “Graceland,” “Slip Slidin’ Away,” “Homeward Bound,” “Me & Julio Down by The Schoolyard,” “50 Ways To Leave your Lover” “America,” “The Boxer,” and “Sounds of Silence.” They are epic classics in my music world, and my hope is that he lives a long, healthy life, and continues to bless us with his legendary presence,” he continued.
For Michele Pruskin, her passion originated at PS 175 when a music teacher entered her second-grade class. “Once I heard ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water,’ I loved it and Simon & Garfunkel’s music. My grandma Fay bought me the album, and I sang it often. Being a graduate of Forest Hills High school and growing up there, it was a thrill to see Paul Simon at the Forest Hills Stadium for my first time. I was so awed. I hope Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel will one day have a television special consisting of their songs.”
