Paul Simon, the renowned singer-songwriter, has revealed that he is struggling with almost complete hearing loss in his left ear, which is affecting his ability to perform live music. The 81-year-old musician was speaking at the world premiere of his documentary, “In Restless Dreams: the Music of Paul Simon,” at the Toronto international film festival.
During a Q&A session after the screening, Simon admitted that he hasn’t fully accepted his hearing loss but is beginning to come to terms with it. The guitar, Simon’s primary instrument, is not only a means of creative expression for him but also a source of solace. He explained that when a person experiences a disability, it alters their awareness and how they interact with life.
Sadly, Simon confirmed that there has been no improvement in his condition since he first announced the hearing loss in May. Typically, after releasing an album, the artist would embark on a tour to explore and further develop the music. However, Simon expressed uncertainty about integrating his voice with guitars during his upcoming attempt to sing songs accompanied by two guitarists.
Simon initially experienced the hearing loss while writing music for his latest album, “Seven Psalms.” The sudden loss in his left ear remains unexplained, adding to his frustration and annoyance. Simon had hoped that the condition would repair itself over time. However, it has now changed his perspective on certain songs he no longer wishes to perform live.
One of the songs that Simon mentioned is “You Can Call Me Al,” which he sometimes feels like a mere cover band performing. These thoughts have led him to question whether he should continue touring and prompted self-doubt.
The “In Restless Dreams” documentary, directed by renowned filmmaker Alex Gibney, provides an in-depth look at Simon’s six-decade-long career. Gibney, known for his work on documentaries like “Going Clear” and “Enron: the Smartest Guys in the Room,” covers various aspects of Simon’s life, including his time as part of Simon and Garfunkel, the recording of his iconic solo album “Graceland,” and his later years working in his home studio in Texas.
While specific release dates for “In Restless Dreams” have yet to be announced, it has been confirmed that the film will be showcased at the London Film Festival in October. Fans of Paul Simon will have the opportunity to dive deeper into the journey of this legendary artist and gain insight into the challenges he is currently facing due to his hearing loss.