Boy George's Early Influences

Boy George, born George O'Dowd, grew up in a working-class Irish Catholic family in South-East London, where his passion for performance flourished early on. He was influenced by a variety of music genres as his father brought home records from jobs, allowing him to explore different styles like glam rock, jazz, and classical music. His rebellious spirit made him a challenging student, resulting in being expelled from school at 15. After a brief stint in punk and before founding Culture Club in 1981, he frequented London’s Blitz nightclub, where his flamboyant persona began to take shape.