A LIFE OF
FAITH
A TRIBUTE TO HIS AMAZING GRACE
Simon got his first big break in 1966, with an invitation to the renowned Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow. Pianist extraordinaire, Van Cliburn, won the first International Tchaikovsky competition in 1958 and Simon was sponsored by the U.S. State Department in the first year it was open to vocalists. Before the event Simon spoke no Russian and recalls praying, “God, I am not asking you to grant me a favor, please just bring about what you think is right.”
On the plane to Moscow, Simon was seated next to a Russian actress who also spoke German which Simon could speak. During the flight she taught him phonetically the Russian lyrics to his first song. Simon won the round. Then in just four days Simon had to memorize an aria from Eugene Onégin, a piece familiar to all Russians. In a momentary lapse Simon jumped from the first movement to the finale, skipping the middle section. He covered the error so gracefully it seemed like an intentional change to the score. Simon’s singing was so good the judges moved him on to the final round. Simon finished third overall winning the bronze medal and was then invited to a dinner at the White House by President Lyndon Johnson, along with his mother.
RESPECT YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER
Love endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7)
In 1961 Simon was attending the University of Iowa in Iowa City as a pre-med student when he got an emergency call from his mother requesting that he return home immediately. Simon’s father had tremendous pain that a doctor attributed to heart disease. When meeting with the white doctor Simon suggested they consult a cardiologist, and this doctor became incensed that a young black man had used a medical term and questioned his authority.
The doctor offered to withdraw his services knowing full well the Estes family did not have the means to move Simon’s father to another hospital. Explaining that he was only suggesting that the opinion of a specialist might help, the doctor replied, “We’re doing everything we can, and he’s probably going to die anyway.” Simon’s father did die – of a ruptured appendix. It had nothing to do with his heart and was completely curable. The response of Simon’s mother was simple, “Son, you must not hate that doctor. You should pray for him.” She provided Simon this same sage advice whenever he was confronted with prejudice or hatred.
SINGING IS A GOD-GIVEN GIFT
Simon displays his faith on a necklace that says “Try God” everyday.
