Boy George

Anyone who turned on a TV or radio in the 1980s is no doubt familiar with Boy George's coy, soulful vocals and androgynous look. From 1982 to 1986, this charismatic artist fronted the hugely successful Dance Pop band Culture Club, whose playful energy and colorful style made them cultural icons of that era. Though Boy George continued to release solo records of mixed quality after the band's demise, he received little support from fans in the U.S., save for a small cult following. After years of obscurity here but relative success overseas, Boy George burst back into the public eye in 1992 with a song from Neil Jordan's film The Crying Game. Since then he has steered away from club-geared pop, experimenting with folk-tinged ballads in an effort to find a more intimate vehicle for expression.