Time for East Hampton and Montauk to Honor Paul Simon

Sadly Montauk homeowner and enthusiast Paul Simon has hinted that even with the success of his latest album, "Stranger to Stranger", he is thinking about retiring from show business. Mr. Simon, who will be 75 on October 13, has been the gold standard of American songwriting from his days of Simon and Garfunkel to his solo career.

He was instrumental 26 years back (1990) in the famous concert to “Save Montauk Lighthouse,” that at the time was in ill repair. Due to that concert and the efforts of so many others, like Billy Joel, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet, and Christie Brinkley, the Montauk Lighthouse today stands proud, well painted and maintained yearly. Paul Simon's almost silent footprint on the Montauk shoreline is a testament to his resolve to be all things Montauk.

Ten years ago Paul Simon showed up at a Sunday Stephen Talkhouse benefit for a Montauk local who had medical issues. Wearing a Yale baseball cap he played a 5 song set and then bought everyone in the filled to capacity venue “a beer,” after singing his classic, “The Boxer.” I know this for a fact, I was there, and mine was a Heineken. He even brought out Montauk’s own Nancy Atlas to adjoin him on the rocking, “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard.”

He married Edie Brickell in 1992, they have three children along with son Harper, from Simon's previous marriage to Carri Fisher.

I believe it is time for East Hampton to honor Paul Simon, with some sort of honor. Either naming a beach after him, or a section of Town Park Land or even a section of Route 27, east of downtown Montauk. It would be wonderful to do this while Mr. Simon is able to appreciate it and enjoy it during his golden retirement. Hopefully he will compose and record a song about Montauk before he calls it quits!