Jews Making News: Simon, Baron Cohen
Simon Fans Rejoice; He’ll Soon Be Visiting Emory
Singer-songwriter Paul Simon will be visiting Emory University in late September, after canceling previous appearances at the university due to illness.
Simon, 71, will be participating in the 2013 Richard Ellmann Lectures in Modern Literature with his series, “The Insomniac’s Lullaby: Awake and Aware of Time.” His appearances, beginning on Sept. 22, will be spread out over three days, treating audiences to two public lectures and a talk with U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins.
The visit will conclude with a performance with guitarist Mark Stewart.
Looking for more Simon, and don’t mind spending some extra cash? Then you’ll be happy to learn that the veteran musician will be releasing a full set of his major albums in October.
The massive box set is comprised of 15 discs spanning over 45 years and will also include two concert recordings and a photo book in addition to 12 albums chocked full of rare bonus recordings.
Simon will also be contributing his talents to the upcoming “And I’ll Scratch Yours,” a tribute album to Peter Gabriel’s own 2010 collection of covers, “Scratch My Back.”
Simon was born to Louis and Belle Simon in Newark, N.J. He met Art Garfunkel when he was only 11 and the two began performing together soon after. The duo’s first song was created roughly a year later, entitled, “The Girl for Me.”
Simon has since earned 12 Grammys, a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was even named one of the “100 People Who Shaped the World” by Time Magazine.
Sacha Baron Cohen Decides Biopic Not His Cup of Tea
Sacha Baron Cohen surprised moviegoers and music fans alike when he unexpectedly pulled out of his upcoming, high-profile role as Freddie Mercury in a biopic about the late singer.
Baron Cohen had been tapped to play the Queen front man for three years now, but according to Deadline.com, creative differences between he and the remaining members of the band were too great to reconcile.
The 41-year-old actor was reportedly headstrong about portraying the darker parts of Mercury’s life, while the band wanted something a little tamer.
Even without this particular flick, it seems as if Baron Cohen’s bank account will be just fine. Earlier this year he made it onto the Britain’s “Rich List” for the first time, counting him among the country’s highest-paid entertainers.
He is reportedly worth $109 million (68 million pounds), coming in at 31 on the TV and film category with wife Isla Fisher. The spot is currently shared with fellow actor Liam Neeson.
Born to Gerald Baron Cohen and Daniella Naomi, Baron Cohen was raised Jewish in Hammersmith, West London. His mother was born in Israel, where his maternal grandmother currently lives. Baron Cohen’s early resume includes stints in “Fiddler on the Roof” and work in the Habonim Dror Jewish theatre.
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