Culture Club

It is difficult to find a more popular new wave band in the 80s than Culture Club. Throughout the decade the band generated seven straight top ten hits in the U.K. and six top ten singles in the U.S. Culture Club had all the elements of success with their light infectious pop-soul music, their charismatic cross-dressing lead singer and radio friendly tunes. The media were also attracted to Boy George who had an outstanding ability to fill any interview or live performance with colour and pizzazz.

Boy George was a regular in the new romantic clubs in London around the late 70s. He was often spotted with his cross-dressing friend Marilyn (who also appeared on Countdown). Underground music high roller Malcolm McLaren (Sex pistols manager) invited him to join an early version of Bow Wow Wow. George left the band shortly afterwards and created In Praise of Lemmings with bassist Mikey Craig. Jon Suede soon joined the group and they changed their name to Sex Gang Children. It wasn’t till Jon Moss joined on drums they changed there name to Culture Club and Suede was replaced by Roy Hay.

Towards the end of 1981, they recorded a set of demos but EMI turned them down. Richard Branson’s Virgin Records picked them up in early 1982 and the band released there first singles 'White boy' and 'I’m afraid of me' which didn’t make the U.K. charts. It wasn’t till they released 'Do you really want to hurt me' they experienced instant international success (number one in U.K., US and Australia). Over the next two years the band had multiple success with singles 'Time', 'Kissing to be clever' and 'I’ll tumble for ya'.

In 1983 they followed up with the release of their second album Colour by numbers which etched the band as one of the most popular in the US, U.K. and Australia. 'Karma Chameleon' became a number one hit on both sides of the Atlantic. The momentum continued the following year and the group released singles 'It's a miracle' and 'Miss me blind', which both reached the top ten.

In 1983, the band released its third album, Waking up with the house on fire, with 'The War Song' being a hit in the U.K., but generating disappointing sales in the US. In 1985 the band took a break from the spotlight with and some members pursued other music interests, whilst Boy George dealt with heroin addiction.

In 1986 the band released 'Move away' which became a hit, and the album Luxury to heartache stayed on the charts for a few months. Throughout this time George’s heroin addiction had grown considerably worse, escalating when British police arrested the singer for for possession of cannabis. To make matters worse, days later keyboardist Michael Rudetski, was found dead of a heroin overdose in George’s home.

Culture Club broke up in 1987 while Boy George was battling his addiction, and George began a solo career later that year. While his solo career produced several dance hits in Europe. It wasn’t till 1992 that Boy George broke back into the US charts with his version of 'The Crying Game' which was nominated for an Academy Award as best film soundtrack. 

Culture Club Countdown appearances

• 27th October 1984 Countdown tenth anniversary show feature Culture club performing in studio
• 26th June 1984 whole dedicated Culture club special
• 6th January 1984 U.K. interview with Boy George