Billy Ocean on his biggest fears and the key to a long-lasting relationship
EIGHTIES icon Billy Ocean has opened up to Fabulous Magazine about his biggest fears and the key to a long-lasting relationship.
Billy, now 70, best known for his songs When The Going Gets Tough and Caribbean Queen, reveals that he has known his wife since he was 15.
What scares you?
Other people. People can hurt you because you’re a different colour, culture or religion. They can make your life hell.
What’s your favourite word?
Faith. You grow into faith and don’t take it into consideration until you get to a certain age in life.
Who or what is the love of your life?
My wife Judy, 67. I’ve known her since I was 15. We were friends and started sweethearting when we left school. The secret to a long relationship is patience. There’s no doubt about that.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
John Lennon, Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye. Wouldn’t that be an insane dinner party? We’d jam and talk about musical ideas and how they saw the world.
How often do you have sex?
When I was a young guy I was a raving, rampant bulldog. I was a ram goat! But as you get older you get your priorities right. You can’t have sex constantly on your mind.
What’s your worst habit?
Forgetting things. As you get older your memory starts flipping.
What is your experience of grief?
My mother dying of stomach cancer when I was 39.
Who makes you laugh the most?
My grandkids. They’re very funny. I don’t look at them as children, I look at them as little people.
What good do you think will come of lockdown?
We live in a world where we’re working, working, working. We don’t even have time to enjoy what we work for. Lockdown has given us a chance to connect again, with our families and ourselves.
All-time favourite movie?
The Lord Of The Rings is the best movie ever made. It’s escapism and more.
What was your favourite TV show as a child?
Bonanza. It was an American show about a man called Ben Cartwright and his three sons who were always the goodies getting rid of the baddies.
What is your earliest memory?
I used to live on the border of a cocoa plantation in Trinidad and I remember singing to my mother when she was washing and ironing. I was maybe five years old.
What possession would you rescue from a burning building?
My Bible, my guitar and my steel drum.
Who is the most famous person in your phone?
I don’t use a mobile very much. I still prefer the landline, and all my friends are people not at all connected to the music business. I try to live a normal life – whatever normal is!
Most read in Fabulous
What would you say has been your greatest achievement?
Being successful in America – that was always the dream – and achieving a Grammy and an Ivor Novello Award. If my mother were alive, she would be very proud.
- Billy Ocean’s new album,One World, is out now.
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk