John Simon, born on August 11, 1941, in Norwalk, Connecticut, is an esteemed American music producer, composer, writer, and performer. Renowned for his significant contributions to the music industry during the late 1960s and the 1970s, Simon is celebrated for his work with iconic albums such as The Band's "Music from Big Pink," "The Band," and "The Last Waltz." Additionally, he produced "Cheap Thrills" by Big Brother & the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin, "Songs of Leonard Cohen" by Leonard Cohen, and "Child Is Father to the Man" by Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Raised in a musically inclined family, Simon's father, a country doctor, introduced him to the violin and piano at the age of four. By high school, Simon was already leading bands and composing original musicals. He further honed his craft at Princeton University, where he wrote three more musicals and led a band to the finals of the 1st Georgetown Intercollegiate Jazz Festival.

Simon began his professional career at Columbia Records, where he worked on original cast albums and audio documentaries. His breakthrough came with the arrangement and production of "Red Rubber Ball" by the Cyrkle, which became a major hit. Encouraged by Al Kooper, Simon transitioned to freelance production, where he left a lasting impact on the music world with his innovative arrangements and production techniques.