Boy George

George Alan O'Dowd (born June 14, 1961), better known as Boy George, is a British gay singer, musician, and disc jockey who gained a large degree of fame with his group Culture Club in the 1980s.

Musical career

George's androgynous style caught the attention of music executive Malcolm McLaren, who arranged for George to appear as Lieutenant Lush in a theater concert with Annabella Lwin. Although George and Lwin's act didn't last long, it did introduce George to former DJ Mikey Craig, with whom he created a duo named In Praise Of Lemmings, with Craig playing bass guitar. Shortly after, Adam Ant drummer Jon Moss and guitarist Roy Hay came into the mix, and they changed the name of the band to Culture Club.

Related Topics:
Malcolm McLaren - Annabella Lwin - Mikey Craig - Bass guitar - Adam Ant - Drummer - Jon Moss - Guitarist - Roy Hay

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The band's breakthrough hit in the UK was "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?", which enjoyed wide exposure on the music station, MTV. This was followed by "Time (Clock Of The Heart)" and the debut album "Kissing To Be Clever". In 1983, the band had their biggest year, dominating the singles charts with "Church Of The Poison Mind"; "Karma Chameleon" (the biggest selling single of the year, which had six weeks at No.1) and "Victims". The corresponding album, "Colour By Numbers", was a massive seller and spawned a fourth and final single, "It's A Miracle" in early 1984.

Related Topics:
MTV - No.1

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George's striking looks inspired many a Boy George look-alike contest around the world, and George's face became the image of Culture Club in many fans' minds. He became a sort of alternative teen idol, and had the extravagant lifestyle to go with it. Part of his unique appeal was attributed to his wit and charisma; he is responsible for one of the 1980s' most famous quotes - I prefer a nice cup of tea to sex - and his distinctive, soulful voice.

Related Topics:
Look-alike - Teen idol - 1980s

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In 1983, a Boy George look-alike caused a sensation when he arrived at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Members of the press believed him to be Boy George, causing one of Puerto Rican press largest bloopers ever. It turned out to be a Boy George lookalike contest winner from Chicago, Illinois, who, ironically, was enjoying his award: a trip to Puerto Rico.

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By 1984 Boy George's fame was so widespread and immense that he became a household name in over 25 countries. Along with Diana Princess of Wales he was the most photographed person on the planet.

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At the end of 1984, George appeared, orange-haired, on the Band Aid single to benefit Ethiopia's starving children, performing the second line of the song after Paul Young sang the first. The band flew in on Concorde from New York especially for the recording at the SARM studios. They arrived 12 hours after everyone else, meaning that George was the last to record his vocals and they were absent from the official Band Aid photograph.

Related Topics:
Band Aid - Paul Young - Concorde

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In 1986, he guest-starred on an episode of The A-Team titled "Cowboy George".

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But with all that success, trouble also loomed. For a long time George denied his homosexuality, then later declared himself to be bisexual. His sexual lifestyle became the target of much tabloid newspaper speculation, and eventually he stated he was simply gay. During this time also, he became a drug addict, and an American friend who was visiting his London mansion was found dead after a night of using heroin. George's brother went on UK national television and blew the whistle on him, in a desperate attempt to get him to leave the world of drugs. George had recently collapsed on stage at a benefit concert. He finally quit using heroin in 1987, after an ultimatum was given to him by his doctor: either he'd stop using drugs, or he'd die in less than three months.

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At the same time, Culture Club was dissolved, and his solo hit "Everything I Own" became a No.1 hit in the UK. Many of his following releases were produced to protest the UK's anti-homosexual bill of Clause 28. In 1989, George formed his own label, named More Protein, and a band named Jesus Loves You, a tribute to the Christianity that helped him overcome his drug problem. Much of Jesus Loves You's material was life-celebrating stuff, including the hit "Bow Down Mister", which was attributed to George's belief in the Hare Krishna movement.

Related Topics:
Clause 28 - Hare Krishna

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