Paul Simon Honors Scotty Moore In New York

Forest Hills High School alum Paul Simon returned to Queens last night for his first performance at the New York City borough’s venue since he played there with Art Garfunkel in 1970. Near the end of the concert at Forest Hills Stadium, the singer-songwriter paid tribute to renowned guitarist Scotty Moore who passed away Tuesday at age 84.

Simon’s show Thursday night featured his longtime favorite hits such as “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “Slip Slidin’ Away,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” “You Can Call Me Al,” and “Still Crazy After All These Years.” The 74-year-old singer-songwriter who this week hinted at retiring, also delivered songs from his recently released (and perhaps final) album Stranger To Stranger including “The Werewolf,” “Wristband” and the title track.

Before starting the encore off with a cover of the Elvis Presley hit “That’s All Right,” Simon stepped to the microphone to dedicate it to The King’s former guitarist and manager Scotty Moore who appeared on the groundbreaking 1954 recording of the song. The tribute to Moore was the second time this week “That’s All Right” was played by Simon, who also covered it at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia. The show Thursday concluded with “Late In The Evening,” “One Man’s Ceiling Is Another Man’s Floor,” “The Boxer” and “American Tune.”

Here’s audience-shot footage of Paul’s dedication and rendition of “That’s All Right” from Forest Hills Stadium last evening captured by glenn1075:

[Hat Tip – Stereogum]