Download Free Culture Club * Songs

Culture Club music biography continued...

Boy George (born George O'Dowd) whose cross-dressing appearance often attracted heavy media exposure. Other members of the short-lived band were Roy Hay (guitar, keyboards), Mikey Craig (bass), and Jon Moss (drums).

George began his music career as Lieutenant Lush from the band Bow Wow Wow. He left the band to form In Praise of Lemmings along with bassist Mikey Craig. Guitarist Jon Suede joined the group changing their name to Sex Gang Children. Jon Moss from Adam & the Ants and the Damned became a part of the band a few months following. In 1982 Suede was replaced by Roy Hay from Russian Bouquet and in that same year, George had renamed the group Culture Club. They recorded demos for EMI who ultimately refused to sign them. Virgin Records signed the band in the UK and Epic in the US, as Virgin was not present in America at the time.

Their debut album was Kissing to be Clever in 1982. The first single "White Boy" unfortunately did not make the charts and neither did the second "I'm Afraid of Me". However, the third single "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" terminated the band's slump as it peaked at number one the charts in several countries. Other tracks off the album such as "Time (Clock of the Heart)", and "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" also made the Top Ten on the charts.

The following year, Colour By Numbers, their second album, was released. The success of the follow-up album did well with its first single "Church Of The Poison Mind" reaching the Top Ten in the US. The next single "Karma Chameleon" was a smash hit reaching number one in the US and the UK and eventually becoming one of the most played songs of the decade. In 1984, they released their third album Waking Up With The House On Fire which proved to be a major letdown compared to the success of their prior album.

The group had also been experiencing major tension due to George's intense affair with Moss as well as his growing addiction to heroin. The 1986 album From Luxury To Heartache allowed the band a comeback with the hit "Move Away". However, mounting issues within the band led them to their breakup soon after in 1987. George eventually fought his addiction and went on to pursue a solo career scoring several hits in Europe.

Culture Club came together, despite their previous concerns, in 1998 for a reunion tour. The tour began with an incredible performance on VH1 Storytellers and did very well throughout. The band later issued a two disc compilation featuring the VH1 performance and their Greatest Hits. They toured for a few more years until becoming inactive in 2000 due to George's decision to focus on his successful career as a DJ.