Kissing to be Clever, Virgin Records, 1983          BILLBOARD CHART ACHIEVEMENTS:                             Pop Singles:  # 10                           Hot 100 Singles:  # 16                           Mainstream Rock:  # 17                GLOBAL CHART ACHIEVEMENTS:                                # 2  in the UK                               # 12  in Austria                              # 23  in Germany                         Top 20 at  MATT RADIO         View the all-time countdown here!

George Alan O'Dowd was born in 1961 in Eltham, Kent, England.  George idolised David Bowie and Marc Bolan, and he frequented the London clubs which were to be the focal points of the New Romantic movement. 

George was invited to appear with Bow Wow Wow by their manager Malcolm McLaren (of Sex Pistols fame), where he adopted the stage name of Lieutenant Lush.

Eventually assuming the name Boy George, he formed a band called In Praise of Lemmings in 1981 with ex-disc jockey and bassist Mikey Craig and guitarist John Suede.  Soon afterward changing their name to Sex Gang Children, they were joined by drummer Jon Moss (who had been associated with The Clash and Adam & The Ants).

The band was ultimately renamed Culture Club.  John Suede departed in 1981, to be replaced by Roy Hay. 

Steve Levine produced the band's first demos in the EMI studios, and their catchy blend of pop, reggae and soul soon attracted the attention of Virgin Records.

source:  nostalgiacentral.com