Paul Simon’s landmark Grammy-Award Winning 1986 album Graceland is celebrating its 40th anniversary in August 2026

Paul Simon’s landmark 1986 album Graceland is celebrating its 40th anniversary in August 2026. 

The album, which fused Western pop with South African township music, originally sparked controversy for recording in apartheid-era South Africa but went on to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and sell over 16 million copies worldwide. 

Major celebrations are occurring globally, including a special BBC Proms concert titled Under African Skies at the Royal Albert Hall in London, featuring original collaborators Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  

Additional tributes include a reimagined performance by the London African Gospel Choir and the release of a new book by Ashley Kahn detailing the album's creation. 

TAKEN FROM THE MESAZONA ARCHIVES 2019-2022

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Crazy Love, Vol. II · Paul Simon
Graceland (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

℗ 1986 Sony Music Entertainment

Guitar: Chikapa "Ray" Phiri
Bass: Lloyd Lelose
Arranger: Raymond Chikapa Phiri
Drums: Isaac Mtshali
Penny Whistle: Morris Goldberg
Assistant Engineer: Peter Thwaites
Assistant Engineer: Mark Cobrin
Engineer: Roy Halee
Mastering Engineer: Greg Calbi
Re-mastering Engineer: Dan Hersch
Re-mastering Engineer: Bill Inglot

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Friday, December 13, 2019

Just Listen > GraceLand Again / One More Time

DO SEE THIS ABOUT THE MUSIC PRODUCER JERRY WEXLER

Jerry Wexler and Graceland

Jerry Wexler played a pivotal, though ultimately uncredited, role in the creation of Paul Simon's landmark 1986 album Graceland. Wexler, who had previously produced Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years, initially championed the project and facilitated Simon's first trip to South Africa to record with local musicians.

However, Wexler famously clashed with Simon over the album's production direction.

1.   Wexler advocated for a more traditional, polished "American" sound, suggesting the addition of prominent American session musicians and a smoother production style to ensure commercial viability. 
2. Simon, conversely, was determined to preserve the raw, authentic textures of the South African recordings and the voices of the local artists. 
3. This fundamental creative disagreement led to Wexler's departure from the project before its completion. 
4. Despite his exit, his initial encouragement and logistical support were instrumental in launching the sessions that resulted in the Grammy-winning album. 

Post Note: Simon absorbed the financial loss of Wexler's involvement and the potential commercial risk of defying his producer's advice, betting that the unique sonic landscape would resonate with audiences on its own terms—a gamble that ultimately resulted in a Grammy-winning masterpiece. 

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Podcast Rex

podcastrex.com › home › brendan o'connor › paul simon’s graceland at 40

Paul Simon’s Graceland at 40 — Brendan O'Connor — Podcast Rex

2 weeks ago - 🦴Paul Simon's album 'Graceland' turns 40 in August 2026.

The Queen's Hall

thequeenshall.net › whats-on › paul-simons-graceland-40th-anniversary-celebration-london-african-gospel-choir

Paul Simon's Graceland: 40th Anniversary Celebration by the London African Gospel Choir | Wed 18th Nov 2026

December 16, 2025 - The London African Gospel Choir returns with their critically acclaimed re-imagining and making 40 years of Paul Simon’s iconic album “Graceland”. Performed with passion, soul, and electrifying rhythm, this concert brings together soaring voices, vibrant harmonies, and an irresistible celebration of African musical heritage.

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San Diego Reader

sandiegoreader.com › events › 2026 › aug › 26 › 40th-anniversary-tribute-to-paul-simons-graceland

40th Anniversary Tribute to Paul Simon's Graceland - Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 6:15 p.m. | San Diego Reader

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Broadway World

broadwayworld.com › home › westend › review: bbc proms: under african skies - songs from paul simon's 'graceland', royal albert hall

Review: BBC PROMS: UNDER AFRICAN SKIES - SONGS FROM PAUL SIMON'S 'GRACELAND', Royal Albert Hall

5 days ago - When does a late-night prom turn into London's greatest party? When exuberant Ladysmith Black Mambazo, South Africa's legendary a cappella group, makes its Royal Albert Hall Proms debut to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Paul Simon's Graceland.

Southbank Centre

southbankcentre.co.uk › whats-on › graceland-reimagined-40-year-anniversary

Graceland Reimagined: 40-Year Anniversary | Southbank Centre

The London African Gospel Choir presents their critically acclaimed reimagining of Paul Simon’s iconic Graceland to mark the album’s 40th year.

BBC

bbc.co.uk › programmes › prom nights on radio 2 › under african skies - the songs of graceland

BBC Radio 2 - Prom Nights on Radio 2, Under African Skies - The Songs of Graceland

in 1 week - The BBC Proms celebrates the 40th anniversary of Graceland, Paul Simon’s Grammy-winning, era-defining album featuring Paul’s original collaborators, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music

theglasshouseicm.org › whats-on › london-african-gospel-choir

London African Gospel Choir: Paul Simon’s 'Graceland' Reimagined - 40th Anniversary | The Glasshouse

The London African Gospel Choir returns a with full band, presenting their critically acclaimed re-imagining and making 40 years of Paul Simon’s iconic album, Graceland.

Castlemaine Mail

castlemainemail.com.au › home › blog › 40 years of graceland

40 years of Graceland | Castlemaine Mail

2 weeks ago - To celebrate it’s 40th anniversary, Andy McGarvie brings Paul Simon’s Graceland to life at the Theatre Royal Castlemaine next Friday August 7 as part of a special tribute event ’40 years of Graceland’. Andy will be joined by a 10-piece ...

Eden Court

eden-court.co.uk › event › 40th-anniversary-of-paul-simons-graceland-1

40th Anniversary of Paul Simon’s Graceland | Eden Court

Celebrate one of the most influential albums of all time as we bring Paul Simon’s legendary masterpiece back to the stage in a breathtaking live concert experience. Created by the award-winning producers behind The Simon & Garfunkel Story, this brand-new tribute show honours the music, rhythms and spirit of Graceland with extraordinary attention to detail and musical authenticity.

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Washington Post

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Opinion | Paul Simon’s joyful ‘Graceland’ is turning 40. Does it deserve an asterisk?

3 days ago - In the 1986 masterpiece, the roots of rhythm remain — and so does the argument.

Facebook

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Substack

simonsweetman.substack.com › sounds good! › rnz music feature: paul simon’s “graceland”

RNZ Music Feature: Paul Simon’s “Graceland”

3 days ago - A chat on RNZ about the 1986 album “Graceland” by Paul Simon, ahead of its 40th Anniversary

Music Musings & Such

musicmusingsandsuch.com › musicmusingsandsuch › 2026 › 6 › 18 › feature-under-african-skies-paul-simons-graceland-at-forty

FEATURE: Under African Skies: Paul Simon’s Graceland at Forty — Music Musings & Such

June 18, 2026 - It will be interesting seeing how people approach Graceland ahead of its fortieth anniversary on 25th August: “In his typically understated way, Paul Simon has been an ardent musical explorer since he went solo in 1972.