Paul Simon, who drew 500,000 people to Central Park a decade ago with his former partner, Art Garfunkel, will return with his own band in a free concert Aug. 15.
Simon and his record company, Time Warner, will pick up the tab for the extra police, sanitation and paramedics needed for such a show, said the singer's spokesman, Dan Klores. The city's financial problems might have otherwise blocked the show.Simon, who is currently touring overseas with his 17-piece band, will throw in a "sizeable" donation to the parks commission for parks throughout the city, Klores said. Simon's touring band features several musicians from his current album, "The Rhythm of the Saints."
Parks Department spokesman Skip Garrett confirmed the Central Park performance was set for mid-August, with Simon footing the bill.
In 1981, Simon and Garfunkel performed in a heralded reunion concert in the park.