Simon Le Bon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Simon Le Bon MBE
Le Bon in 2023
Born	Simon John Charles Le Bon (1958-10-27) 27 October 1958 (age 67) Bushey, Hertfordshire, England
Other names	Charley
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Spouse(s)	Yasmin Parvaneh ​ (m. 1985)​
Children	3, including Amber Le Bon
Musical career
Genres	New wave synth-pop pop rock
Years active	1980–present
Labels	Various labels

Simon John Charles Le Bon MBE (born 27 October 1958) is a famous English singer and musician. He is best known as the lead singer of the popular band Duran Duran. He was also part of a group called Arcadia.

Le Bon has won three Ivor Novello Awards for his music. In 2024, he received an MBE award from King Charles III for his services to music and charity.

Early life and education

Simon Le Bon was born on 27 October 1958 in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England. He was the first of three sons born to John and Ann-Marie Le Bon. When he was six years old, his mother helped him get started in acting. He appeared in a television advertisement for washing powder.

As a child, Le Bon sang in his local church choir. He went to Pinner County Grammar School and later studied art at Harrow School of Art. Afterward, he studied drama at the University of Birmingham.

Career with Duran Duran

Joining the band

Le Bon (center) with Duran Duran in 1983

In 1980, Le Bon was introduced to the band Duran Duran. The band was formed by childhood friends John Taylor and Nick Rhodes. They were looking for a singer with a special voice.

Le Bon went to the audition wearing pink leopard-print trousers. He brought a notebook full of poems he had written. The band liked his style and his writing. They matched one of his poems, "Sound of Thunder," to their music. It was a perfect fit, and Le Bon joined the band.

Success and fame

Duran Duran released their first album in 1981. They quickly became leaders of the New Romantic music movement. They were famous for their catchy songs and stylish music videos.

The band released hit albums like Rio (1982) and Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983). They toured the world and played huge concerts. In 1984, Le Bon sang on the famous charity song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" as part of Band Aid.

Over the years, the band's members changed, but Le Bon remained the singer. In the 1990s, they had a big comeback with the song "Ordinary World." This song became a top hit in many countries.

In the 2000s, the original five members of Duran Duran reunited to make new music. They released the album Astronaut in 2004. Le Bon continues to record and perform with the band today.

Other musical projects

Arcadia

In 1985, Le Bon and his bandmate Nick Rhodes formed a side project called Arcadia. They released an album called So Red the Rose. Their song "Election Day" was a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Solo work and radio

Le Bon performing on stage in 2005

Le Bon has worked on music outside of his bands too. In 1985, he recorded a song for a sailing race documentary. He also started a company called SYN Entertainment in Japan.

He has collaborated with other artists, such as DJ Ferry Corsten and producer Mark Ronson. Since 2020, Le Bon has hosted a music radio show called WHOOOSH!. On the show, he plays new songs and talks about music with his co-host.

Sailing adventures

The Drum accident

Simon Le Bon loves sailing. In 1985, he owned a large yacht called Drum. He entered the Fastnet Race, a famous sailing competition.

During the race, the boat's keel (the heavy fin at the bottom) broke off. The boat capsized, which means it turned upside down in the water. Le Bon and his crew were trapped inside the hull for forty minutes. Fortunately, the Royal Navy rescued them using a helicopter.

Despite this scary accident, Le Bon did not give up. He repaired the boat and took part in the Whitbread Round the World Race later that year. His team finished third.

Personal life

Simon Le Bon met fashion model Yasmin Parvaneh after seeing her photo in a magazine. They got married on 27 December 1985. The couple has three daughters: Amber, Saffron, and Tallulah. Le Bon became a grandfather in 2018.

Discography

with Duran Duran

• Duran Duran (1981)
• Rio (1982)
• Seven and the Ragged Tiger (1983)
• Notorious (1986)
• Big Thing (1988)
• Liberty (1990)
• Duran Duran (1993)
• Thank You (1995)
• Medazzaland (1997)
• Pop Trash (2000)
• Astronaut (2004)
• Red Carpet Massacre (2007)
• All You Need Is Now (2010)
• Paper Gods (2015)
• Future Past (2021)
• Danse Macabre (2023)

with Arcadia

• So Red the Rose (1985)

See also

In Spanish: Simon Le Bon para niños