Paul Simon performs at the Brian Wilson Tribute concert on TNT, 01/03/2001

The 64-year-old hitmaker plunges into morbid misery whenever he takes a break from the piano, and prefers to keep busy to stave off his mortal fears.

He says, "I don't know how to deal with the dread.

"My mother is 96, my father is gone.

"It's a privilege to have your mind distracted by music and not to have to think about that."