The First Time With... Series 32 - 3. Boy George

THE FIRST TIME WITH... SERIES 32 - 3. BOY GEORGE (320kbs-m4a/136mb/59mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 21st August 2024

6 Music's Matt Everitt presents in-depth, exclusive and revealing interviews with major artists revealing the pivotal moments and songs that shaped their lives and their careers.

'I didn’t even want to be in a band, I just wanted a boyfriend.'

There was a moment, in September 1982, when Boy George was arguably the most famous person in the country after his appearance on Top Of The Pops. He shares his memories of that moment, the London scene, the tabloid press, and shares anecdotes of hanging out with Lou Reed and David Bowie amongst others.

Music includes David Bowie, T-Rex, Melanie, and Lou Reed.

Culture Club - Church Of The Poison Mind [Disky]
David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World [EMI]
Melanie - Alexander Beetle
T. Rex - Metal Guru [Cherry Red]
T. Rex - Planet Queen [Universal Music Group International]
Lou Reed - Vicious [RCA]
Peanuts Wilson - Cast Iron Arm [AudioSonic Music]
Culture Club - White Boy [Parlophone Catalogue]
Culture Club - I'm Afraid Of Me [Virgin]
Culture Club - Do You Really Want To Hurt Me [Virgin]
Culture Club - Karma Chameleon [Columbia]
David Bowie - Dollar Days [Rhino]
Boy George - King Of Everything [Very Me]
Patti Smith - Free Money

This Cultural Life - 80. Boy George

THIS CULTURAL LIFE - 80. BOY GEORGE (320kbs-m4a/100mb/43mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 20th January 2024

Born George O'Dowd, Boy George shot to pop stardom in 1982 as frontman with the band Culture Club and later as a solo artist. With his soulful vocals and flamboyant, androgynous looks, he became a massive star around the world with hits such as Do You Really Want to Hurt Me? and Karma Chameleon. His personal struggles with drug addiction and a prison sentence in 2009 meant he was rarely far from tabloid headlines. In recent years he's been a judge on The Voice, survived the jungle in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, and has just published a new memoir called Karma. He continues to record and perform as a prolific solo singer songwriter.

George discusses the impact that David Bowie had on him as a teenager and recalls seeing him at the Lewisham Odeon during the Ziggy Stardust tour of 1973. He also talks about the important influence of club promoter Philip Sallon who introduced him to London's gay scene in the late 1970s. Meeting Quentin Crisp in New York with Andy Warhol was also a formative cultural moment. George talks to John Wilson candidly about coping with fame and rebuilding his life after addiction and prison.

Producer: Edwina Pitman