Does Paul Simon Have A Cancer, What Kind Of Illness Does The Musician Have?

Does Paul Simon, an American musician and the founding member of Simon & Garfunkel, have cancer? What is he suffering from? You will have your answers by the end of this article. 

Paul Simon is an American singer and songwriter whose career has crossed six decades. Paul is one of the most lauded songwriters in the music scene. 

In 1956, Simin started performing with his friend Art Garfunkel. The duo was still in their teenage years. Their song, “The Sound of Silence,” became an instant hit in 1966.

Simon & Garfunkel have recorded five albums together featuring songs primarily written by Paul Simon, including the hits “America,” “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “The Boxer.”

Does Paul Simon Have A Cancer? What Kind Of Illness Does The Musician Have? 

Paul Simon has been diagnosed with cancer, but he has been suffering from mental health problems for a long time. 

In 1956, Simon & Garfunkel were born. After achieving milestones together, the duo sadly grew apart. Simon and Art officially split in 1970 and went their ways. 

In 1970, Paul started recording and writing solo material again. At that moment, Paul experienced some dark mental health experiences.

In the mid-1980s, he disclosed that he was suffering from depression. The superstar revealed in an interview that he had sensed mental issues in the early Simon & Garfunkel days.

In an interview with Playboy, the artist said, “I’d say early Simon and Garfunkel times. That’s when I started to experience it.” Paul had a severe problem with smoking dope, i.e., marijuana. 

However, he had stopped smoking when his depression started getting severe. He said, “In 1966 and ’67, by ’69, it got so serious that I stopped smoking dope. I said, “This isn’t helping; it’s making things worse.” So I didn’t smoke another joint for 11 years.”

Simon was in and out of treatment and wrestled with his mental health for a very long time. 

A winter’s day
In a deep and dark December
I am alone
Gazing from my window
To the streets below
On a freshly fallen, silent shroud of snow

— Paul Simon (@PaulSimonMusic) December 22, 2021

In 1984, Paul said, “Most people look at me and wonder, “How could that guy be depressed?” And I now feel that people were seeing a more accurate picture of me than I was.

“I eventually realized, ‘Jesus, all I’ve been looking at is this thin slice of pie that has got the bad news in it, and I’m disregarding the rest of the picture.”

Paul has three failed marriages, first in 1969 to Peggy Harper. Peggy and Paul had a son together, and his name was Harper Simon. Sadly, they divorced in 1975. 

Simon wrote about this relationship in the song “Train in the Distance” from his 1983 album Hearts and Bones. 

His failed marriages are somewhat linked to his mental health problems.