Welcome to the Monday edition of the Forgotten 45 at 3:45! Paul Simon is celebrating his 84th birthday today, so today’s choice is his 1972 hit “Mother and Child Reunion”.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer was part of the famed due Simon & Garfunkel and then as a solo performer with songs inspired by many different types of music. In his legendary career, Paul has won 16 Grammy Awards, including 3 for Album of the Year.
“Mother and Child Reunion” was the first single from his self-titled ’72 album. Inspired by reggae music, Simon recorded the song in Kingston, Jamaica and was instructed there on the differences between reggae, ska, and he said he felt awkward at first because he was the only white guy and was American. The result was a good one however as the song went all the way to #4 on the charts.
Happy Birthday Paul Simon! I found a video of him performing “Mother and Child Reunion” at Hyde Park. Today’s Forgotten 45 is sponsored by Honey Creek Furniture in Manchester, Eastern Iowa’s fastest growing La-Z-Boy store. You’ll find them at honeycreekfurniture.com.
