The hedonism of Simon Le Bon
I'm a Duran Duran nut, like most people who grew up in the early to mid 80s. But unlike the other lads, the Duranie I always wanted to be was Simon Le Bon.
He wasn't the babe magnet that John Taylor was. Wasn't the charming, intellectual Nick Rhodes. And he sure wasn't the antisocial, misfit of either Roger or Andy Taylor. Simon just wore wristbands, struck cool poses, sang his guts out ("Siiiiiiiiiiing, Blue Siiiiiiilver!"), gave interesting quotes to the media and generally didn't care all that much what people thought of him.
Plus, Simon didn't have to play an instrument. (Unless you count the tambourine as a real instrument, and unless you're in the Partridge Family, you don't.)
Simon turns 49 today. Here are a few favorite quotes from the birthday boy to enjoy, along with links to the full articles in which they appear.
On his role in the "View to a Kill" video: "It was the closest I was ever going to get to playing James Bond and I wasn't about to miss out on that opportunity, He had the works - the girls, the guns, the gadgets, the cars. He got to do everything. I used to read the Bond books as a kid, and I thought they were really sexy. I always wanted to be Bond." [Full interview]
On staying in shape: "I've got some very serious beauty tips. Don't run too much. You'll f--k your knees up. I go for nice long walks now, uphill. And one of these days, I'm going to get a dog. But I've got a very physical job, and I'd hate to have to go to the gym. That would be awful." [More]
On recording "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" in Australia: "Oh my God, that was hedonism. I succumbed to hedonism. My God, did we have a good time. Somebody came up to us once and said, 'I think you shagged all the girls in Sydney.' And we weren't even trying. It was so funny. We had some fantastic times." [More]
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
I think I'm a bigger Duran Duran fan than I was back in the 80s. Naturally, I don't have posters and clippings hung up on my bedroom walls anymore, but I love 'em all the same. I watched the tribute to Diana just to see them perform. The fact that they did Hold Back the Rain (a fave) made it even more thrilling. I was squealing as I might have done at 17. Scary for my 13 yr old son to witness.
I love the quote on Simon's thoughts on exercise. I appreciate him even more! Great minds think alike :)
Thanks for including Simon snipets and links, Steve. I think I'm giddy now.
Posted by: Marissa | October 27, 2007 at 10:18 AM
My kids love Duran Duran almost as much as I do!! They came to Germany on the Astronaut tour and I got tickets as soon as they were on sale to see them in Munich. It was on the last day of school and it was only a half day. We came home, grabbed our bags and drove to a guest house in Munich. Hopped on the U-Bahn to the Olympia Village and saw them in the concert. This was the third time that I have seen them, but I think it was my favorite because of how much fun my kids were having with theirs totally stuck in the 80s mom. It was amazing and my daughter still wears the shirt from the concert!
Happy Birthday Simon! Thanx again for a great blog Steve!
Posted by: specialK in Germany | October 27, 2007 at 11:51 AM
Yup, happy Birthday to Simon, almost unbelievable he is 49 already!
Nice quote on recording 7 & the ragged tiger by the way. Remember the 2004 show in Wembley (I was at one of the 2 they recorded for their last dvd) + it was magnificent, beginning to end - the whole audience going crazy + simply celebrating the return of the original line-up, I think it was 5 times a sold out Wembley Arena - sth. they didn't even manage in the 80es...
And Simon was definetely a true (as one says in Germany - specialK knows what I mean): Rampensau :)
Posted by: Dennis | October 27, 2007 at 03:16 PM
Just had to add that I love VH1 Classics, it's a night of Duran Duran to celebrate Simon's birthday. Right now they are playing Hungry Like the Wolf... this is the song that brought Duran Duran to my attention and there was no turning back. Men at Work was put away and it was Duran Duran forever!
Posted by: specialK in Germany | October 27, 2007 at 04:40 PM
He was on Sirius dong celebrity super shuffle on his b-day yesterday. Simon was always my favorite, and it was great to hear him talk and play tunes he likes. He talked some about spending time with Michael Hutchence, too. He said it was in 1984, but I think he meant 94 because he said Beck's "Loser" was a song they played all the time. Time for some ginseng, Simon! ;-)
Posted by: malibu | October 28, 2007 at 10:47 AM
dong=doing. Freudian slip?
Posted by: malibu | October 28, 2007 at 10:47 AM
RE: Simon not being the babe magnet or intellectual of the group
And yet he somehow managed to marry (and stay married to) a supermodel who has her Ph.D in French literature.
It's good to be a lead singer.
Posted by: Tonianne | October 29, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Duran Duran will be performing live on the Howard Stern show tomorrow, so make sure to tune in if you have Sirius!
Posted by: malibu | October 30, 2007 at 05:14 PM