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.

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. 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 was 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, but success eluded them until the release of their third single in the autumn, the massive breakthrough hit ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me’.

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. A third single ‘I’ll Tumble 4 Ya’ was taken from the album in the US, providing additional Top 10 success.

By the time their second album ‘Colour By Numbers’ was released in autumn 1983, Culture Club were the most popular pop group in the world. ‘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’.