Paul Simon performs live at Central Park on August 15, 1991

16 years ago today on August 15th of 1991, Paul Simon performed live to approximately 750,000 people in New York City's Central Park.

The show was free to all attended and was also broadcast on television. It featured many South African musicians much like his 1986 album Graceland (many of the songs performed were from this album.)

This show was almost 10 years after Simon & Garfunkel's Central Park show in 1981.

Some performances from this show:

"The Obvious Child" (The first song of the set with an intro by NYC mayor at the time, David Dinkins)



"I Know What I Know"



"You Can Call Me Al"



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Paul Simon released Graceland on August 12, 1986

Paul Simon released his most critically acclaimed solo album, Graceland, on August 12th of 1986.

The album is heavily influenced by "world music" and much of the album was recorded in South Africa. The album features many South African musicians and singers.

American artists also appear on the album. The Everly Brothers sang harmonies "Graceland." Linda Ronstadt sang on the track "Under African Skies." Los Lobos appear on the on "All Around The World or the Myth of Fingerprints."

The album has been featured on many best of/greatest albums of all time lists. It's #81 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time from 2003. It ranked #56 all time on a Q magazine readers poll in 1998. VH1 ranked it #84 in 2003.

"You Can Call Me Al" was the biggest hit single from the album and the video (see below) featured actor/comedian Chevy Chase.



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