Paul Simon is ‘Optimistic’ About Returning to Live Performance After Partially Losing Hearing
Paul Simon has expressed his optimism about returning to live performances despite experiencing significant hearing loss in his left ear. In a recent interview with The Guardian, he acknowledged that his diminished hearing complicates his ability to perform with a full ensemble, but he remains hopeful about eventually staging a complete concert. “I’m optimistic,” Simon remarked, adding, “Six months ago, I felt quite the opposite.”
Simon initially revealed his hearing challenges during a conversation with The Times in May 2023, explaining that he suddenly lost most of his hearing in his left ear and no one could clarify why. This change made everything more challenging for him.
Prior to disclosing his hearing issues, Simon had last toured in 2018, after which he announced he would be stepping away from touring. “I never claimed I was going to retire,” he clarified in his latest interview. “I indicated I would stop, which I did. I believed that with the band and the repertoire we had, we had taken it as far as possible. It was enjoyable, but I wanted to explore what it would be like to pause.”
After taking a break, he traveled with his wife, during which he experienced a transformative dream that altered his perception of reality. This dream prompted Simon to create a work titled ‘Seven Psalms.’ He noted that the lyrics came to him through dreams over several weeks and months, culminating in a 33-minute acoustic album released in 2023. During the album’s production, Simon collaborated with seasoned filmmaker Alex Gibney, who captured the process in a 3.5-hour documentary titled ‘In Rest Dreams: Music of Simon.’
“Seven Psalms exemplifies how the entire piece arrived to me in an extraordinary manner,” Simon shared with The Guardian. “I sense a connection between my childhood self, my subconscious, and my current identity. It was a fascinating and genuinely enjoyable experience for an extended period—until my hearing loss disrupted everything.”
Recently, Simon performed at an exclusive charity event in New York, marking his longest performance in five years. The documentary ‘In Rest Dreams: Music of Simon,’ which debuted in March in the United States, is scheduled to be released in UK theaters on October 13, coinciding with Simon’s 83rd birthday.
