Fiona Kemp, who worked as a bartender at the Rum Runner nightclub where Duran Duran practiced, introduced Simon Le Bon to the band in May 1980. She suggested him as a possible lead vocalist.
According to legend, Le Bon arrived for the audition wearing pink leopard-print trousers and carrying a notebook filled with his enormous collection of poems, some of which subsequently became tracks on Duran Duran’s early studio albums.
Le Bon spent time adapting one of his poems, “Sound of Thunder,” to one of the band’s instrumentals after listening to their existing works and discovering a wonderful match. Duran Duran decided to let Le Bon “try out” for the summer.
The band was performing frequently in Birmingham, London, and Nottingham within six weeks. In December of the same year, they signed a recording contract with EMI Records after a nationwide tour in support of Hazel O’Connor.
Duran Duran’s debut studio album, “Duran Duran,” was released in 1981, catapulting the band to prominence as part of the New Romantic trend. Three further albums were swiftly released by the band: “Rio” (1982), “Seven and the Ragged Tiger” (1983), and the live album “Arena” (1984).
Each album was supported by substantial media advertising and lengthy performance tours. By mid-1984, the band had decided to take a sabbatical, with their only other appearance that year being on the Band-Aid charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”
Simon Le Bon Parents: Meet Ann-Marie Le Bon and John Le Bon
Ann-Marie Le Bon and John Le Bon are the parents of Simon Le Bon. Unfortunately, not much is knwn about their personal life. Our team is doing its best to make sure you’re updated.