John Simon

John Simon (born Norwalk, Connecticut, August 11, 1941) is an American music producer, composer, writer and performer. Simon produced numerous classic albums that continue to sell more than 40 years later, including The Band’s “Music from Big Pink”, “The Band”, and “The Last Waltz”, “Cheap Thrills” by Big Brother & the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin, “Bookends” by Simon & Garfunkel, “Songs of Leonard Cohen” by Leonard Cohen, and “The Child Is Father to the Man” by Blood, Sweat & Tears. 

In the early Seventies, he recorded two albums for Warner Brothers, “John Simon’s Album” and “Journey”. Then, fifteen years later, saw the first of four albums for labels in Japan, the first of which, “Out On The Street”, was released in the U.S. by Vanguard.

In the Eighties, Simon composed the score for the film, “Last Summer”, wrote two ballet scores for the choreographer, Twyla Tharp and composed circus music for aerialist Philip Petit (after his solo walk between the World Trade Towers).

He was the Music Supervisor for a Broadway venture called “Rock & Roll! The First 5,000 Years”.

Simon and wife, C.C. Loveheart, wrote and performed a cabaret act called “Alone Together For The First Time Again” and co-authored a popular play, “Jackass Flats”, which had its professional premiere in June of 2011.

A self-described “compulsive musician”. Simon continues to be active.  These days he performs his own material in concerts on rare occasions, but plays piano weekly with Ron Pirtle’s trio in Melbourne, FL.

In 2018 he wrote “TRUTH, LIES & HEARSAY: A Memoir Of A Musical Life In And Out Of Rock And Roll”, available on Amazon or through your local bookstore or wherever fine literature is sold.

Awards

Unofficial Official Piano Player Ellenville, NY (self-bestowed)

Gear

Piano. Pencil. Staff paper. Eraser.

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