Boy George will put club in a spin...

ONE of the biggest icons of the 80s is heading to Tamworth next weekend to guest star on the decks at a town nightclub.

Bullit has bagged none other than Boy George, who's set to get clubbers in a spin when he appears on February 13.

"At long last we've got Boy George coming to Bullit", explained Brina, owner of the Silver Street venue.

"There were rumours of him coming a few years ago, and we did have some dates pencilled in, but for reasons, of which there were many, it didn't quite happen.

"Bullit is a little club in a little town that has punched well above its weight for years, with the likes of Judge Jules, Howard Donald, Andy Farley, Shapeshifters and Freemasons, just to name a few.

"This will be one of the 'hairs standing on the back of your neck' kind of nights.

"I'm sure people will be there who are intrigued by him. Others, who loved him and the Culture Club era, will be there, but most of all he will be there to have a chat and a laugh with people and play some damn fine house music with some club classics thrown in."

Boy George shot to fame in the 80s as the lead singer of Culture Club, and his androgynous looks made him a pin-up for the New Romantics.

George Alan O'Dowd grew up in a lively household with his four brothers and one sister. Despite being part of the large working class Irish brood, George has claimed to have had a lonely childhood, referring to himself as the "pink sheep" of the family.

To stand out in the male-dominated household, he created his own image.

He says: "It didn't bother me to walk down the street and to be stared at. I loved it."

So it should come as no surprise that George didn't exactly conform to the typical school student stereotype and was expelled for his increasingly outlandish behaviour, outrageous clothes and make-up.

When the famous New Romantic movement emerged, it was a calling card for George, whose flamboyance fitted its beliefs perfectly.

Inspired to form his own group, George created The Sex Gang Children, later renamed Culture Club, turning out such hits as Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? and Karma Chameleon.

Now a household name, in 1984, George was picked for lead vocals on the Band Aid single Do They Know It's Christmas.

But the pressure soon began to take its toll, and by late 1985 George had become addicted to heroin.

Culture Club began to lose their way musically, and work on their fourth album – From Luxury To Heartache (1986) – proved to be a headache for the producers, with the recording sessions dragging on and on.

In July the same year, George was arrested in the UK for possession of cannabis. Just a few days later the band's keyboard player Michael Rudetski was found dead from a heroin overdose in George's home.

After their U.S. tour was cancelled, Culture Club disbanded in late 1986.

Despite his drug addiction battles, George began a solo project, but the success never really matched that of the band.

Over the years, George has continued to release various solo albums and formed his own record label in the early 90s.

But he's had global success behind the decks as a DJ, enjoying critical acclaim both in the UK and in the U.S.

Which brings us neatly back to his show at Bullit on February 13.

As for what you can expect, it's anyone's guess. George is as unpredictable as his eye shadow.

For ticket details and to book, log on to www.bullit.biz, or call 07773 377793.

Limited VIP tickets are also available for the gig. Book now to avoid disappointment.