How Dick Clark robbed Simon and Garfunkel of their first $221 pay packet
Paul Simon said Dick Clark kept the $221 performance cheque that Simon and Art Garfunkel expected to receive for appearing on *American Bandstand*. The story matters because it contrasts the show’s role in promoting young musicians with Simon’s account that performers had to hand Clark their cheques.
The duo appeared on the programme in 1957 as Tom and Jerry, performing their debut single, “Hey, Schoolgirl”, before becoming famous as Simon and Garfunkel. Simon recalled that the union payment was $221 per performer and said they were told to endorse the cheques to Clark. The article says Simon later described the experience in an interview with Howard Stern; the pair went on to become one of the most successful acts of the 1960s.
In short
- Simon said Clark kept the duo’s first performance cheques.
- The payment was reportedly $221 per performer.
- They appeared as Tom and Jerry in 1957.
Explained simply
American Bandstand was a popular US television programme that featured young musicians performing for a national audience. In 1957, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel appeared on it under the name Tom and Jerry, singing their first single, “Hey, Schoolgirl”.
Simon later said each performer was due a union payment of $221 for the appearance, but that they were told to endorse their cheques to presenter Dick Clark. The account has drawn attention to the contrast between the exposure the programme offered new acts and Simon’s recollection of how performers were paid. The duo later became one of the most successful acts of the 1960s.