Paul Simon Will Be a ‘Footnote’ Next to Bob Dylan, NBC Writer Says

Paul Simon will be a forgotten name in the history books when scholars look back on 20th-century music and see only Bob Dylan and The Beatles standing tall — that’s the polarizing take of one NBC writer, anyway.

Jeff Slate — a NYC-based songwriter and journalist — penned a controversial piece for NBC Think … titled, “Paul Simon sold his catalog to Sony for millions. He’ll still end up a historical footnote to Dylan.” Indeed … it is triggering.

His subheading reads, “He was a prolific songwriter with a lucrative catalog any corporation would happily monetize. But there are only a few names our descendants will ever learn.”

We know, we know … you’re fuming already. That’s exactly what the internet is doing as well as it jumps to PS’s defense.

You can read Slate’s take in full for the big picture — which is all about how Dylan recently sold his catalog of music and the rights to it to UMG for a reported $400 million, and how Simon followed in his footsteps by doing the same with Sony for his rights — but the gist here is … Paul Simon will be an “also-ran” compared to BD when it’s all said and done.

In Slate’s view, Dylan will perhaps be alone with John, Paul, George and Ringo and as the standout folk/rock acts of the ’60s/’70s — and that artists like Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and others will fall by the wayside, especially among younger, average-Joe listeners.

That seems to be what Slate’s getting at — and of course, A LOT of people disagree … with some arguing Simon is just as prolific and culturally impactful as Dylan ever was. We don’t have to get into a pissing contest … both guys have scores of songwriting credits and hits under their belts. Of course, you could argue Dylan is perhaps the better-known of the two.