Paul Simon Turns 70, Plans 2012 Graceland Tour

Singer Paul Simon, better-known for his success from his work with former musical partner Art Garfunkel, turned 70 today, and what better way to let loose than with a new tour.

In celebration of his Grammy-winning “Graceland” album’s 25th anniversary, Simon has recently announced his plans to reunite with the musical acts he played with when the album was originally released for a special tour in 2012.

With a reported 14 million copies sold worldwide, “Graceland” is the best-selling album of Simon’s career. It ranked at No. 91 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 2003 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

In addition to the tour, the talented musician will also release a box set, which will include a documentary about the album.

“The documentary took me back to the artistic aspects and the political aspects of making ‘Graceland’ and the controversy that surrounded it and how it was resolved, plus what remains of it and what we learn from it,” says Simon.

Back in 1987, Simon collaborated with several African artists for the album, including trumpeter Hugh Masekela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo in South Africa. He was accused at the time of breaking the cultural boycott against the apartheid regime in the region.

Over the course of his impressive musical journey, which began in 1965 with Simon & Garfunkel and later evolved into a successful solo career, Simon has earned 13 Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Below, check out a short clip from Paul Simon’s Graceland South Africa Concert in 1987:

via Billboard