Paul Simon withstood huge criticism from some quarters by virtue of opening up South African music to the world at the very time western countries were tightening anti-apartheid economic sanctions.

I believe hindsight confirms that he was on the right side of history in bringing the music of that country to a global audience in his Graceland album. Simon makes no apologies for what he did — and the world of music — indeed, the world itself — is all the better for it.