A Word with Simon Le Bon

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CELEBRITY CONCIERGE • MAY 2016

The 1980s heart-throb and lead singer of Duran Duran, Simon Le Bon still travels the world performing for the group’s devoted fans. A keen sailor, he has competed in two round-the-world yacht races and is passionate about preserving the world’s oceans

What’s your most memorable travel experience?

Recently, I went down to Margaret River, just south of Perth in Australia, for a food festival. Rick Stein, Sat Bains and Heston Blumenthal were there. We went to the beach where a native Maori showed us how they hunt abalone off the rocks. We cooked and ate them for breakfast next morning. It was magical.

Which destination inspires you musically?

Being in New York in the 1980s, with the club scene at its peak, was incredible. We hung out in places such as the Peppermint Lounge, Palladium and Studio 54, with people like Billy Idol, Iggy Pop and David Bowie. They were amazing times.

Where do you love going back to?

I love Croatia. The Dalmatian Coast is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. In the north of the country there’s an incredible national park called the Kornati, with rocky islands where nothing grows, and the sea in between them. It’s stunning.

Where’s top of your bucket list?

China. I’ve toured with the band all over the world, but never there.

What do you like to do on holiday?

I love snorkelling, but nowadays in the water I often find myself looking at fields of dead coral. Overfishing is killing our sea life, which inspired me to become an ambassador for the Blue Marine Foundation. It does great work around the world to deliver practical solutions that will combat overfishing and enable the creation of marine reserves. We’re aiming to make 10 per cent of the oceans protected areas by 2020.

What’s the most memorable location you’ve performed in?

Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and the Roman amphitheatre in Verona both stand out, but my favourite was a square in Rome. There were around 200,000 people in the audience – it was incredible.

What are your packing essentials?

Flip flops, swimming trunks and a head torch so I don’t wake up my wife if I want to read a book in the middle of the night.

To find out more about the work of the Blue Marine Foundation in tackling the problem of overfishing, visit bluemarinefoundation.com

Interview by Paul Joseph

Courtesy The Club magazine