Simon wins Literary Service Award
Paul Simon’s latest honor places him among public figures well outside the music industry. He is this year’s winner of PEN America’s Pen/audible Literary Service Award, which previously has been given to former President Barack Obama, the late Nobel laureate Toni Morrison and Stephen King among others.
Simon, 82, is known for such classic songs as “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “The Sound of Silence” and for his globe-spanning musical tastes, from Brazil to South Africa to his native New York City. Later this month, he will be featured in the MGM+ docuseries “In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon.”
“Paul Simon has inspired fans worldwide with lyrics and songs that entire generations know by heart and can recognize from the very first notes,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement Thursday. “His fascination with different cultures, traditions and rhythms have helped open our ears and minds to essential musical traditions. We are elated to pay tribute to this unparalleled creative artist whose music, along with his commitment to humane values and humanitarian causes, has made him a cultural icon.”
Simon will receive his award at PEN’S annual gala May 16 at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.
Barbie celebrates female artists with dolls:
As “Barbie” fever rolls into Oscar weekend, Mattel has unveiled its new slate of Role Model Dolls, featuring two Academy Awards winners, a Canadian country queen and an Australian dance music diva.
To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 and the iconic doll’s 65th birthday on March 9, the toy company announced Wednesday that it’s adding new dolls modeled on Viola Davis, Dame Helen Mirren, Shania Twain and Kylie Minogue to its canon.
The one-of-a-kind dolls were gifted to each woman to honor their achievements and contributions to the world.
Davis, 58, the only EGOT recipient and American among the new crop of role models, said she “wanted this Barbie to make little 6-year-old Viola squeal. It is my biggest gift to her ... my lifelong mission and legacy to make her feel pretty, seen and worthy,” she said.
Ledecky memoir coming in June:
Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky has written a memoir, reflecting on a life she can hardly believe is her own.
Simon & Schuster announced Thursday that the celebrated swimmer’s “Just Add Water” will be published June 11. Ledecky is a seven-time gold medal winner who has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history.
Her memoir will cover everything from childhood games of sharks and minnows while growing up in Bethesda, Maryland, to her reign as one of the world’s greatest athletes.
March 8 birthdays: Saxophonist George Coleman is 89. Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager is 80. Musician Micky Dolenz is 79. Singer Peggy March is 76. Journalist Lester Holt is 65. Actor Aidan Quinn is 65. Actor Camryn Manheim is 63. Actor Boris Kodjoe is 51. Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. is 48. Actor Laura Main is 47. Actor James Van Der Beek is 47.