Lucy Simon
{{Short description|American composer (1940–2022)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Lucy Simon
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Lucy Elizabeth Simon
| birth_date = {{birth date|1940|5|5}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|10|20|1940|5|5}}
| death_place = Piermont, New York, U.S.
| occupation = Composer, Singer, Musician
| years_active = 1963–2022
| spouse = {{marriage|David Levine|1967}}
| children = 2
| father = Richard L. Simon
| mother = Andrea Heinemann Simon
| relatives = {{ubl|Joanna Simon (sister)|Carly Simon (sister)|George T. Simon (uncle)|Sally Taylor (niece)}}
}}
Lucy Elizabeth Simon (May 5, 1940 – October 20, 2022) was an American singer and composer for the theatre and of popular songs. She recorded and performed as a singer and songwriter, and was known for the musicals The Secret Garden (1991) and Doctor Zhivago (2011).
In 1963, Simon began performing with her sister Carly Simon as the Simon Sisters.{{cite web |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |title= Smothers Brothers Visit 'Hootenanny' |author=Jack Harkrider |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/640266489/ |date=April 27, 1963 |quote=The Simon Sisters, Lucy and Carly, making their television debut, will sing "Winken, Blinken, and Nod."}} The duo released three albums, beginning with Meet the Simon Sisters, which featured the song "Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod"; based on the poem by Eugene Field, the song became a minor hit and reached No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite book |first=Joel |last=Whitburn |title=Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 |isbn=0-89820-089-X |publisher=Record Research, Incorporated |date=1991}} Simon won a Grammy Award in 1981 with her husband, David Levine, in the Best Recording for Children category for In Harmony, and again in 1983 in the same category for In Harmony 2.{{cite web|title=Lucy Simon|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/lucy-simon/15379|publisher=The Recording Academy|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030201231/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/lucy-simon/15379|url-status=live}} Simon received Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations for composing the music for the Broadway musical The Secret Garden.{{Cite web|title=Nominations/1991|url=https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1991/category/any/show/any/|access-date=October 16, 2022|website=www.tonyawards.com}}{{Cite web|title=Nominations/1991|url=https://www.dramadesk.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/1991-awards/|access-date=October 16, 2022|website=www.dramadesk.org}}
Early life and education
Simon was born in New York City on May 5, 1940.{{cite news|title=Lucy Simon, Singer and Broadway Composer, Dies at 82|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/21/arts/music/lucy-simon-dead.html|first=Neil|last=Genzlinger|date=October 21, 2022|access-date=October 22, 2022|newspaper=The New York Times}}{{cite news|title=Lucy Simon, composer of 'The Secret Garden,' dies at 82|url=https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-lucy-simon-carly-new-york-5d1506a0e95610c760c00a131c26124f|first=Mark|last=Kennedy|date=October 21, 2022|access-date=October 22, 2022|work=Associated Press}} Her father, Richard L. Simon, was the co-founder of the book publisher Simon & Schuster, Inc.; her mother, Andrea (Heinemann) Simon, was a former switchboard operator, civil rights activist, and singer. She was the older sister of musician Carly Simon. Her father was from a German Jewish family, while her maternal grandfather Friedrich was of German descent. Lucy's maternal grandmother, known as "Chibie", was a Roman Catholic from Cuba, and was of pardo heritage, a freed-slave descendant (the show Finding Your Roots tested Carly Simon's DNA as "10 percent black"{{cite news |last1=Elber |first1=Lynn |title=Genealogy show unlocks family secrets for Carly Simon, more |url=https://apnews.com/article/fcdd8f2cd7a14df291035bb3d06ba558 |access-date=October 23, 2022 |work=Associated Press |date=October 2, 2017 |language=en}}), and was sent to England and raised by nuns until the age of sixteen.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E3EpCgAAQBAJ&q=carly+simon+grandmother+spain |title=Boys in the Trees: A Memoir |first1=Carly |last1=Simon |date=November 24, 2015 |publisher=Flatiron Books |isbn=978-1-250-09590-9 |page=7 |language=en}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thebillmillershow.com/pages/articles/carly-simon.php|title=Interview with Carly Simon|date=January 2007|publisher=The Bill Miller Show|access-date=September 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816132538/http://www.thebillmillershow.com/pages/articles/carly-simon.php|archive-date=August 16, 2011|url-status=dead}}
In addition to her younger sister Carly, she had an older sister, opera singer Joanna, and a younger brother, photographer Peter.{{cite web|work=The News & Observer|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/652161250|title=Rutgers Plays Host to TV's 'Hootenanny' Show Tonight|page=15|date=May 4, 1963}} Simon grew up in Fieldston, a section of Riverdale in the Bronx.Jackson, Nancy Beth. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950CE7D91E3CF934A25751C0A9649C8B63&scp=1&sq=%22richard+simon%22+riverdale&st=nyt "If You're Thinking of Living In/Fieldston; A Leafy Enclave in the Hills of the Bronx"], The New York Times, February 17, 2002. Accessed May 3, 2008. "After World War II, Richard Simon, founder of Simon & Schuster, bought a Georgian red-brick Baum house where he brought up his three musical daughters: Joanna, Lucy and Carly." She attended the Fieldston School,{{cite book|title=More Room in a Broken Heart: The True Adventures of Carly Simon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xz_ZCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA45|publisher=Gotham Books|year=2012|last=Davis|first=Stephen|page=45|isbn=9781592407439}} before studying at Bennington College,{{cite news|title=Setting A Children's Classic To Music Lucy Simon, composer for 'The Secret Garden,' comes from a musical family|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/303461902|page=3C|first=Joe|last=Pollack|date=May 3, 1992|access-date=October 22, 2022|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|id={{ProQuest|303461902}}}} graduating in 1962.{{cite web|title=Class of 1962 50th Reunion|url=https://www.bennington.edu/sites/default/files/sources/docs/class62-reunionbk.pdf|year=2012|access-date=October 22, 2022|publisher=Bennington College}}
Career
Simon began her professional career singing folk tunes with sister Carly Simon as the Simon Sisters and later folk-rock. Simon's setting of "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" has been recorded by many diverse artists, including the Doobie Brothers, Mitzie Collins, and the Big Three (Cass Elliot, Tim Rose, and James Hendricks).Chute, James.[http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060521/news_1a21simon.html "A new rose blooms in Lucy Simon's secret garden"]Union Tribune (San Diego), May 21, 2006[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p125425/biography|pure_url=yes}} Biography and listing] AllMusic, accessed February 2, 2010 In the mid-1970s, after a number of years away from recording, Lucy released two albums on the RCA Victor label of mostly original compositions, along with a few collaborations and covers. Her self-titled debut album was more folk-rock in orientation while her second album, Stolen Time, had a contemporary pop sound. Carly Simon and James Taylor provided backing vocals on half of the songs from Stolen Time.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/stolen-time-mw0000891194/credits|title=Stolen Time – Lucy Simon: Credits|work=AllMusic|access-date=October 22, 2022}} Simon won a Grammy Award in 1981 with her husband, David Levine, in the Best Recording for Children category for In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record, and again in 1983 in the same category for In Harmony 2.
Simon made her Broadway debut as the composer of The Secret Garden, for which she was nominated for a 1991 Tony Award for Best Original Score and a 1991 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music. She also wrote songs for the Off-Broadway show A... My Name Is Alice.{{cite news|title=Theater: 'My Name is Alice,' At American Place|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/27/theater/theater-my-name-is-alice-at-american-place.html|page=C14|first=Frank|last=Rich|date=February 27, 1984|access-date=October 22, 2022|newspaper=The New York Times}}{{cite news|title=In 'My Name Is Alice,' Laughs, Lore and Lyrics|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2006/10/26/in-my-name-is-alice-laughs-lore-and-lyrics/9804a24f-dccc-4b37-b33f-ef0df134c933/|first=Michael J.|last=Toscano|date=October 26, 2006|access-date=October 22, 2022|newspaper=The Washington Post}}
She composed the music for a musical version of the Russian novel Doctor Zhivago, with lyricists Michael Korie and Amy Powers and book writer Michael Weller. The musical had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego, California, in May 2006.Hernandez, Ernio. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/99889-Zhivago-Musical-with-Hernandez-Burrows-Strober-and-Hewitt-Opens-in-CA-May-24 "Zhivago Musical — with Hernandez, Burrows, Strober and Hewitt — Opens in CA, May 24"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612092328/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/99889-Zhivago-Musical-with-Hernandez-Burrows-Strober-and-Hewitt-Opens-in-CA-May-24 |date=June 12, 2010 }} playbill.com, May 24, 2006 A new version of Doctor Zhivago ran in Sydney, Australia, Melbourne, and Brisbane in 2011 under the title Doctor Zhivago – A New Musical, starring Anthony Warlow in the title role and Lucy Maunder as Lara, the sensitive doctor's secret muse. The musical was produced by John Frost with Des McAnuff directing.Blank, Matthew. [http://www.playbill.com/features/article/149344-PHOTO-EXCLUSIVE-Backstage-at-the-Broadway-Aimed-Dr-Zhivago-Starring-Anthony-Warlow-in-Sydney "PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Backstage at the Broadway-Aimed 'Dr. Zhivago', Starring Anthony Warlow, in Sydney"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224134452/http://www.playbill.com/features/article/149344-PHOTO-EXCLUSIVE-Backstage-at-the-Broadway-Aimed-Dr-Zhivago-Starring-Anthony-Warlow-in-Sydney |date=December 24, 2011 }} playbill.com, March 30, 2011 Anthony Warlow starred in the Australian production of The Secret Garden and at that time Simon said of him, "There is my Zhivago".{{cite web |title=Doctor Zhivago comes to Brisbane |url=https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/07/15/3270490.htm |website=www.abc.net.au |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=October 23, 2022 |date=July 15, 2011 |quote=In the early 90's composer Lucy Simon was in Australia attending rehearsals for her hit musical, also a famous novel, The Secret Garden. As she watched Anthony Warlow engagingly portray the tortured Archie, she said to producer John Frost, "There is my Zhivago." Simon claims, "Anthony commands a stage, a rare leading man – he gets behind the character and with that unique voice enriches the story being told. I knew in my heart that here was the man to tell this love story."}} The musical premiered on Broadway on March 27, 2015 (previews), with an official opening on April 21, 2015, at the Broadway Theatre, but was not successful, closing after 26 previews and 23 regular performances.{{cite web |last1=Hetrick |first1=Adam |url=https://www.playbill.com/news/article/doctor-zhivago-brings-russian-romance-to-broadway-tonight-345181 |title=Doctor Zhivago Brings Russian Romance to Broadway Tonight |website=playbill.com |publisher=Playbill |access-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026223737/https://www.playbill.com/news/article/doctor-zhivago-brings-russian-romance-to-broadway-tonight-345181 |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |location=web.archive.org |date=March 27, 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Hetrick |first1=Adam |last2=Gioia |first2=Michael |url=https://www.playbill.com/news/article/with-no-tony-nominations-doctor-zhivago-is-next-to-post-closing-notice-348319 |title=With No Tony Nominations, Doctor Zhivago Is Next To Post Closing Notice |website=playbill.com |publisher=Playbill |access-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229052555/https://www.playbill.com/news/article/with-no-tony-nominations-doctor-zhivago-is-next-to-post-closing-notice-348319 |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |location=web.archive.org |date=May 4, 2015}} She also contributed to the Off-Broadway musical Mama and Her Boys.[https://www.ethanpaulini.com/mama Mama and Her Boys] ethanpaulini.comGioia, Michael. [https://archive.today/20140606171559/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/188248-New-York-Run-of-Mama-and-Her-Boys-Extends-Through-April-Performances-Will-Move-to-Wednesday-Nights " New York Run of 'Mama and Her Boys' Extends Through April:Performances Will Move to Wednesday Nights"] playbill.com, February 28, 2014
Personal life
Lucy Simon married David Y. Levine in 1967. They remained married for 55 years until her death. Together, they had two children: Julie and James. She died on October 20, 2022, aged 82, at her home in Piermont, New York. She had suffered from metastatic breast cancer prior to her death,[https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway-Composer-Lucy-Simon-Has-Passed-Away-20221020 " Broadway Composer Lucy Simon Has Passed Away"] broadwayworld.com, October 20, 2022 which came just one day after her sister Joanna died of thyroid cancer.{{cite web|title=Carly Simon Loses Both Sisters to Cancer: Broadway Composer Lucy Simon And Opera Singer Joanna Simon Die One Day Apart |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/lucy-simon-joanna-simon-dead-carly-simon-loses-sisters-to-cancer-1235411081/ |last=Panaligan |first=EJ |magazine=Variety |date=October 21, 2022 |access-date=October 21, 2022}}
Awards and nominations
=Drama Desk Awards=
The Drama Desk Awards is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. The awards are considered a significant American theater distinction.[http://www.baylor.edu/pr/news.php?action=story&story=40540 "Baylor's Traveling Lady Production Receives Drama Desk Nomination"], Baylor University, April 28, 2006. Retrieved June 8, 2009
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="6" align="center"| Drama Desk Awards |
|---|
| Year
! style="width:375px;" | Work ! style="width:175px;" | Award ! width="65" | Result ! width="20" | Ref |
| 1991
| {{nom}} |
=Grammy Awards=
The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by The Recording Academy of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry. Often considered the highest music honour, the awards were established in 1958.{{cite book|last=O'Neill|first=Thomas|title=The Grammys: The Ultimate Unofficial Guide to Music's Highest Honor|publisher=Perigee Trade|year=1999}}
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="6" align="center"| Grammy Awards |
|---|
| Year
! style="width:375px;" | Work ! style="width:175px;" | Award ! width="65" | Result ! width="20" | Ref |
| 1981
| In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record | rowspan="2"| Best Album for Children | {{won}} |
| 1983
| {{won}} |
| 1993
| The Secret Garden – The Original Broadway Cast Album | {{nom}} |
=Tony Awards=
The Tony Awards recognize the excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.
| class="wikitable" |
| colspan="6" align="center"| Tony Awards |
|---|
| Year
! style="width:375px;" | Work ! style="width:175px;" | Award ! width="65" | Result ! width="20" | Ref |
| 1991
| {{nom}} |
Discography
=Studio albums=
The Simon Sisters
- 1964: Meet the Simon Sisters
- 1966: Cuddlebug{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-simon-sisters-mn0000500179/discography/all|title=The Simon Sisters Albums and Discography|work=AllMusic|access-date=October 22, 2022}}
- 1969: The Simon Sisters Sing the Lobster Quadrille and Other Songs for Children
- 1973: Lucy & Carly – The Simon Sisters Sing for Children {{small|[re-issue of the "Lobster Quadrille" album]}}
- 2006: Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod: The Kapp Recordings {{small|[re-issue of their first two albums]}}
- 2008: Carly & Lucy Simon Sing Songs for Children {{small|[re-issue of the "Lobster Quadrille" album]}}
Solo
- 1975: Lucy Simon{{cite news|title=Two Unsung Masterminds Of Pop Recording|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/122977382|page=D18|first=Henry|last=Edwards|date=January 11, 1976|access-date=October 22, 2022|newspaper=The New York Times|id={{ProQuest|122977382}}}}
- 1977: Stolen Time{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lucy-simon-mn0000837775/discography/all|title=Lucy Simon Albums and Discography|work=AllMusic|access-date=October 22, 2022}}
=Singles=
The Simon Sisters
- 1964: "Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod"{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-simon-sisters-mn0000500179/songs/all|title=The Simon Sisters Songs List: All Old & New|work=AllMusic|access-date=October 22, 2022}}
Solo
- 1975: "Sally Go 'Round the Sun"
- 1977: "If You Ever Believed"{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lucy-simon-mn0000837775/songs/all|title=Lucy Simon Songs List: All Old & New|work=AllMusic|access-date=October 22, 2022}}
=Other appearances=
- 1980: "I Have a Song" by Lucy Simon – In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record{{cite web|last=Haney|first=Shawn M.|title=In Harmony|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-harmony-mw0000203141|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=May 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525162806/https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-harmony-mw0000203141|url-status=live}}
- 1981: "Maryanne" by Lucy & Carly Simon – In Harmony 2{{cite web|title=In Harmony 2|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-harmony-2-mw0000848566|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=August 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812151708/https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-harmony-2-mw0000848566|url-status=live}}
- 1981: The Rodgers and Hart Album (Simon appears on two cuts of this William Bolcom and Joan Morris album){{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-rodgers-amp-hart-cd-mw0000189198|title=William Bolcom – The Rodgers & Hart CD Album Reviews, Songs & More|work=AllMusic|access-date=October 22, 2022}}
References
{{Reflist|40em}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|nm0800254}}
- {{IBDB name|12410}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060709180036/http://www.americantheatrewing.org/seminars/detail/pop_music_and_the_new_musical_09_05 Pop Music and the New Musical] – Working in the Theatre Seminar video at American Theatre Wing.org, September 2005
- [http://www.filmreference.com/film/22/Lucy-Simon.html Biography at filmreference.com]
- {{discogs artist|Lucy Simon}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Children's Album}}
{{Carly Simon}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simon, Lucy}}
Category:Deaths from breast cancer in New York (state)
Category:American musical theatre composers
Category:Broadway composers and lyricists
Category:Bennington College alumni
Category:Musicians from the Bronx
Category:People from Riverdale, Bronx
Category:Jewish American songwriters
Category:American people of German-Jewish descent
Category:American people of Swiss-German descent