1981 was the year of the New Romantic. With its frilly shirts, deft make-up, and yards of scarves, New Romantics were so flamboyant, had so much flair, and were so incredibly photogenic, that swiftly the movement caught the attention of even the daily papers.

Culture Club

Culture Club were one of the biggest pop bands of the 80s, racking up seven straight Top 10 hits in the UK and nine Top 10 singles in the US.
They were harbingers of the so-called "new pop" that swept through the UK charts in the early 80s. Central to the band's appeal was the flamboyant front man Boy George, whose cross-dressing and heavy make-up created an image which was completely unique on the pop scene.

With dreadlocks and eccentric dress, even by modern fashion standards where anything goes and who cares, he stood out as a kind of unisexual figure. Some people even thought he was a girl. The voice was so good, the makeup was perfect too. But the 'Boy' in his name was taken as significant of his gender. George was also noted for his biting wit and frequently came up with cutting quips that won Culture Club media exposure on both sides of the Atlantic.

Although they drew influence from the 'New Romantic' movement, Culture Club were also inspired by the music and fashion of 'Northern Soul', which helped to create a broader appeal.

Culture Club grew out of the ashes of 'Sex Gang Children', formed by George and bassist Mikey Craig. Drummer Jon Moss and guitarist Roy Hay came on board, and by 1981 the band had been renamed. Early in 1982 a deal was signed with Virgin Records. Success eluded them until the release of their third single in the autumn, the massive breakthrough hit 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me'. This song put them on the world map. It ran right against everything else in the charts. The band was firmly established as one of the most popular new acts in the country.

Shortly after this Culture Club's debut album 'Kissing To Be Clever', climbed to No.5 on the UK charts, while another non-album single 'Time (Clock Of The Heart)' reached No.3. The band's US success followed early in 1983 with the album and both singles riding high in the charts. The launching of MTV in the USA ensured that many UK acts were infiltrating the American charts and the colourful persona of George, coupled with the irresistible charm of Culture Club's melodies, effectively broke them Stateside early in 1983.

Their second album 'Colour By Numbers' spawned 'Karma Chameleon' a transatlantic No.1, which sold over five million copies worldwide. Meanwhile the album was kept off the US No.1 spot for six consecutive weeks by Michael Jackson's record-breaking 'Thriller'. However the band's third album, 1984's 'Waking Up With The House On Fire', failed to repeat their earlier success with the critics and on the charts. Its lead single 'The War Song' was widely criticized for its simplistic politicizing. It was their final Top 10 hit of the decade on both sides of the Atlantic.

George began a long battle against drug dependence, confirming the group's break-up in 1987. That year he released his first solo single, a cover of the reggae classic 'Everything I Own', which rode a wave of public sympathy that culminated in a UK No.1.
In 1989 George embarked on a new dance orientated career having several hits across Europe with Jesus Loves You, which led on to him becoming established as one of Britain's leading club DJs.