Simonon was cooking food for the crew of the MV Esperanza during a protest against the Leiv Eriksson oil rig off the coast of Greenland. He was one of 18 activists arrested when the Esperanza launched speedboats to the rig, and spent two weeks in jail.
The protest was organized because Cairn Energy did not reveal how it could clean up a BP-style oil spill in the Artic. Greenpeace said the company didn’t do that because it simply can’t be done (one of the many reasons alternative energy is better).
The rest of the crew did not know about Simon’s rock star past. He approached the organization asking to join the protest and was told he could if he agreed to keep his identity secret and take up a lowly job.
“He was a quiet, humble and funny guy who just fit in. He worked really hard, cooking even on Sundays, which is usually the cook’s day off.” said Martti Leinonen, who shared a cell with Paul.
Last Thursday Simonon joined fellow rock stars Damon Albarn, Simon Tong and Tony Allen as The Good The Good the Bad & the Queen in a performance aboard Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior near Tower Bridge, London, followed by a benefit gig at the Coronet. The first Rainbow Warrior sailed past Tower Bridge on her maiden voyage decades ago.
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