THE Sounds of Simon, one of the country’s leading tribute bands to Simon and Garfunkel, will be appearing at Helmsley Arts Centre with their new show, All The Hits 1957-1987.

The show has delighted theatre audiences up and down the UK for the past eight years with its reproduction of the award-winning harmonies of the duo, as well as the much-publicised friction between the two singers.

All the hits released by Simon and Garfunkel and Paul Simon are covered in the two-hour show, starting with Hey Schoolgirl, released in 1957 by the pair when they were only 15, and ending with Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes from the Grammy award-winning Graceland album.

Ben Bowden and Adam Ellis, who play the duo on stage, have been described by music writers as “the world’s best Simon and Garfunkel tribute”. Last year they released their live album, Old Friends Live.

Adam said he enjoyed the challenge of playing these songs.

“It’s great to take a songwriter as brilliant as Paul Simon and then track his development over more than 30 years,” he said.

“The evening will show how a songwriter practises and develops his craft.”

Ben was recently featured on BBC’s One Show, performing as Paul Simon and talking about Paul’s visit to England in 1965. It was on this trip that Paul reputedly wrote his hit, Homeward Bound.

“We love bringing the show to new places, it’s great to make old friends in new places,” he said.

The concert takes place on Saturday, January 31. Tickets are £13 and are available from the box office on 01439 771700 or online at helmsleyarts.co.uk

Win tickets

The Gazette has a pair of tickets to giveaway to see The Sounds of Simon. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following question and send your answer, along with your name, address and phone number, to Sounds of Simon, Gazette & Herald, 84-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN or email gazette@gazetteherald.co.uk, by Wednesday, January 21.

Question: What date will The Sounds of Simon be performed at Helmsley Arts Centre?