The internet brings us great historical facts:
[..]all-nighters at Les Cousins! I played there many times during late ’65 and the first two months of ’66, emceeing the midnight to 7 am sessions on Saturday January 15, February 5th, 19th and March 11th. Pay was 10 Quid and I was glad to have the bookings. One of the February bookings was Paul Simon’s “Going Away” party when Paul was finally going back home to work the “Sounds of Silence” success (under duress from Columbia). That was an amazing night, Derroll Adams, Sandy Denny, Jackson C. Frank, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and the usual suspects. Meg came down and sang her “I’ll Fly Away.”[..] (see: http://mudcat.org/Detail.CFM?messages__Message_ID=2868806)
1966-02-05: London – Les Cousins – Paul Simon’s Farewell Party
Paul Simon - 'Time it was...it was' 
I was at that all night gig at Les Cousins and it was the most incredible experience. Paul Simon was astonishingly good and it was a magical experience sitting on the floor right next to him as he played the guitar and sang as if he was in our front room. I was 17 at the time and I’m now now nearly 77. It’s one of the fondest memories I have of my teenage years when I was also lucky enough to see live in other venues: The Stones, The Animals, John Mayall, Sonny Boy Williamson, Ginger Baker (an amazing 10 minute drums solo) and all the rest of those madly talented musicians around at the time. What an amazing time it was to be young.
Hello Alison, thank you for your story. Although it is a long time ago now, do you have any recollection of how that evening went? Did they (who were there?) sing with or for him? All information is welcome. Thanks, Rob
Hello Rob, because the gig lasted ALL night and we staggered out bleary eyed into the morning when it finished, the whole memory is rather dream like but because I didn’t take drugs or alcohol – it was a very pure experience as well. From what I can remember there were other great acts earlier on in the evening/ night and then Paul came on, on his own, to play guitar and sing in a very simple manner. It was humbling to be listening to an artist of such genius in what were very intimate surroundings. My friend and I were incredibly affected by the experience.
Hello Rob, because the gig lasted ALL night and we staggered out bleary eyed into the morning when it finished, the whole memory is rather dream like but because I didn’t take drugs or alcohol – it was a very pure experience as well. From what I can remember there were other great acts earlier on in the evening/ night and then Paul came on, on his own, to play guitar and sing in a very simple manner. It was humbling to be listening to an artist of such genius in what were very intimate surroundings. My friend and I were incredibly affected by the experience.
Hello, thanks again for sharing these memories. Think most of us would wanted to see him that nig (and other nights of course too). Your information is much appreciated.
Noel Murphy, Trevor Lucas and Dizz Disley were booked to see us through into the New Year. Paul Simon turned up un announced. I was knocked out by his wonderful fingerstyle playing. Much of his performance came from his newly released LP The Paul Simon Songbook. A brilliant event that has stayed with me through the decades.
John Lawrence