GEORGE WAYNE Q & A

Simon says

As front man for Duran Duran, the quintessential 80s "pop band," Simon Le Bon has a louchesophisticate persona that elicits many a swoon from fans. After the release of a 13-disc boxed set of its heyday songs, Duran Duran is finalizing a world tour. Le Bon pauses to sound off on his relationship with Nick Rhodes, 80s drug use, and Prince Philip.

George Wayne: You look really good, Simon! All tanned, glowing, and healthy.

Simon Le Bon: Thank you. I've been in Ibiza for a whole month with my wife, "Yazzy," and my three girls.

G.W.Is Le Bon the last name on your birth certificate?

S.L. It certainly is.

G.W.G.W. always assumed it was your version of a chignon—a little French twist.

S.L. Have you ever heard of the Huguenots? That's where my family comes from. We just managed to escape from the massacring Catholics by the skin of our teeth. Holed up in La Rochelle, then shipped out to England on a ferry back in the 16th century.

G.W.When does inspiration come to you—at night in bed?

S.L. A lot, not so much lyrics, but the melody. I'm lying in bed falling asleep and I'll have a tune pop into my head. I have dreams—musical dreams.

G.W.What do you mean "musical dreams"?

S.L. I dream tunes. The only other person I know who has them is [producer] Nile Rodgers. I dream tunes that have never been written, never been played. So I have [a cassette recorder] right by my bed so when I wake up I can sing right into it.

G.W.What does "Hallelujah" mean to Simon Le Bon? Does it come with the most incredible sex? Or with an unforgettable concert? Or is it some sort of spiritual epiphany?

S.L. Epiphany is when I've been waiting a long time for something and it finally happens.

G.W.Like finally being honored with an MTV Lifetime Achievement Award?

S.L. Maybe. Maybe there is a little "Hallelujah" going on in the back of my mind. It's worked out really well. They couldn't have given us this award before, because they couldn't just give it to two or three of us—it would have to be to the whole band. So we've had the decline and fall already, so now we have the reaffirmation.

G.W.Who is your best friend in the band? It has to be Nick Rhodes.

S.L. Nick and I have stuck together for many, many years, through some very difficult times and through some great times as well. We have a very, very deep bond. We made a promise a long time ago that we would look after each other no matter what. He is the guy that I've spent the most time with, but the band is its own relationship. The relationship is equal, the same amongst all of us. When we're writing, recording, it is a completely level playing field. Outside of the band's work is maybe when I'm the closest to Nick.

G.W.Was he responsible for naming the band? Only Nick Rhodes could come up with a fagulous name like Duran Duran.

S.L. Well, you're wrong. It was John Taylor who named the band.

G.W.Really, with Nick being such a cineaste, a film buff, G.W. thought he must have been the one who took the name from the movie Barbarella. S.L. John is very much, as well. We were sitting thinking of what to name the band, and he'd watched Barbarella the night before, and he turned around and said to Nick, "What about Duran Duran—do you like that?" And Nick went, "Yeah, I do. I really like that." And that was it.

G.W.Why do rock stars always marry supermodels?

S.L. Because they can. Why does a dog lick his balls? Because he can.

G.W.How is the new album coming along? I hope you guys are collaborating with G. W.'s favorite pop-music geniuses, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys.

S.L. I'm a big fan of the Pet Shop Boys. Neil is a truly great lyricist. They are very good friends of mine. I go to the occasional boxing match with Chris.

G.W.Well, you guys need to work together. Who is on your collaborative wish list?

S.L. I'd love to work with Timbaland—he's a fantastic producer and at the top of my list. And then there are the Neptunes.

G.W.Who is your favorite member of the royal family?

S.L. I love the Queen, but for sheer entertainment value it has to be Prince Philip. There is a book out on the gaffes of Philip.

G.W.That miserable old codger.

S.L. I don't think he is. I think he has a special sense of humor. Very funny, very dry, and he's the best-dressed man in England.

G.W.Speaking of members—who has the biggest member of Duran Duran?

S.L. You know—that is a really intelligent question. I'm going to have to think about that for a while.

G.W.Is it you, Simon? You're blushing. But thank you very much.