Boy George facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boy George
Boy George in 2016
Born	George Alan O'Dowd (1961-06-14) 14 June 1961 (age 64) Barnehurst, Kent, England
Other names	George Angela Dust
Occupation	Singer songwriter disc jockey mixed media artist
Years active	1979 (1979)–present
Musical career
Genres	Pop new wave blue-eyed soul
Instruments	Vocals turntables
Labels	EMI Virgin Epic Sire More Protein Plan A Records Very Me Records Kobalt BMG

George Alan O'Dowd (born 14 June 1961), known to the world as Boy George, is an English singer, songwriter, and DJ. He became famous as the lead singer of the pop band Culture Club. He started his solo career in 1987.

Growing up in Eltham, England, Boy George was part of the New Romantic movement in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His unique, androgynous look was inspired by glam rock stars like David Bowie and Marc Bolan. In 1981, he formed Culture Club with Roy Hay, Mikey Craig, and Jon Moss. The band's album Colour by Numbers (1983) sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Their famous songs include "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", "Karma Chameleon", and "Time (Clock of the Heart)".

Boy George has also had a successful solo career and works as a DJ. He has written books, designed clothes, and is a photographer. He has appeared on television shows, including as a contestant on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2022.

As a solo artist, Boy George has released many albums and hit songs. His music covers genres like pop, new wave, soul, and reggae. In 2015, he received a special Ivor Novello Award for his great contributions to British music.

Early Life and Inspirations

Boy George was born George Alan O'Dowd in Kent, England, on June 14, 1961. He grew up in a working-class Irish Catholic family in Eltham. He has four siblings and one older half-brother.

Boy George was a follower of the New Romantic movement, which was popular in the U.K. in the early 1980s. He and his friend Marilyn often went to a London nightclub called Blitz. The artists who inspired him included Siouxsie and the Banshees, Roxy Music, and especially the glam rock pioneers David Bowie and Marc Bolan of T. Rex.

About their influence, Boy George said:

They represented a kind of bohemian existence that I—at that point—could only imagine living. I loved the music. The first time I ever saw Marc Bolan really, properly was singing "Metal Guru" and just loved him. I don't think you can separate an artist from what they wear or what they sing—it's kind of the complete package.

Music Career

Culture Club

Boy George's unique style caught the eye of music manager Malcolm McLaren, who had him perform with the band Bow Wow Wow. After a short time, Boy George left to start his own band with bassist Mikey Craig. They were soon joined by drummer Jon Moss and guitarist Roy Hay, forming Culture Club.

The band signed with Virgin Records in the U.K. and Epic Records in the U.S. Their first album, Kissing to Be Clever (1982), was a hit. The single "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" reached No. 1 in many countries. This made Culture Club the first group since the Beatles to have three Top 10 hits in the U.S. from a first album.

Their second album, Colour By Numbers, was even more successful. The song "Karma Chameleon" became a massive international hit, reaching No. 1 in 16 countries. It was the best-selling single of 1983 in the United Kingdom.

One of Boy George's outfits on display at the Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood, showing his theatrical and androgynous fashion style.

The band's third album, Waking Up with the House on Fire, was also successful. In 1984, Boy George sang on the Band Aid charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?". The song raised money for famine victims in Ethiopia and became the best-selling single of 1984 in the U.K.

In 1986, Culture Club released their fourth album, From Luxury to Heartache. After this album, the group decided to break up.

Reunions

Culture Club has reunited several times. In 1998, they toured the U.S. and released a new song, "I Just Wanna Be Loved," which was a Top 5 hit in the U.K. They released the album Don't Mind If I Do in 1999.

Boy George with Culture Club at a New Year's Eve concert in Sydney, Australia, December 2011

In 2014, the band announced they were back together for a tour and a new album. They have continued to tour and perform around the world.

Solo Career

Boy George in 1988

After Culture Club split in 1986, Boy George launched his solo career. In 1987, he released his first solo album, Sold. It was very successful in Europe, and the song "Everything I Own" became a No. 1 hit in the U.K.

He released more albums, including Tense Nervous Headache (1988) and Boyfriend (1989). In the U.S., songs from these albums were combined into a release called High Hat (1989).

In 1989, Boy George started his own record label, More Protein. He began recording under the name Jesus Loves You. He had a Top 30 hit in the U.K. with the song "Bow Down Mister" in 1991.

In 1992, he had a big hit with the song "The Crying Game", from the movie of the same name. The song was a Top 25 hit in both the U.K. and the U.S.

Work as a DJ

Boy George also built a successful career as a DJ. In the 1990s, he mixed popular compilation albums for the rave promoter Fantazia and the famous London nightclub Ministry of Sound. He has since DJ'd at clubs and festivals all over the world.

Boy George performing as a DJ in Brazil, 2007

Later Career and Other Projects

Boy George has stayed active in music and entertainment. In the early 2000s, he starred in the London musical Taboo, which was based on the New Romantic scene. He was nominated for a Tony Award for the show's music.

Boy George performing at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London in 2003

He has released many more albums, including This Is What I Do in 2013, his first album of new songs in 18 years.

Boy George during the Here and Now Tour in 2011

From 2016 to 2020, he was a coach on the TV shows The Voice UK and The Voice Australia. In 2017, he was the runner-up on the show The New Celebrity Apprentice.

In November 2022, Boy George was a contestant on the British TV series I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, where he finished in 8th place. In 2024 and 2025, he played the role of Harold Zidler in the Broadway musical Moulin Rouge!.

Personal Life

Boy George has written three autobiographies about his life and career: Take It Like a Man (1995), Straight (2005), and Karma (2023).

In 2018, he appeared on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?. On the show, he discovered he was related to Thomas Bryan, an Irish revolutionary who was executed in 1921.

Boy George has several tattoos, including a cross on his face, a Star of David on his head, and images of his idols David Bowie and Marc Bolan on his arms.

In 2014, he had a medical issue with his vocal cords, which caused Culture Club to cancel a tour. After resting his voice, he recovered without needing surgery. He was surprised to find his voice had become a lower, richer tenor.

Discography

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Boy George para niños