At the Waterloo Imax: Princess Julia HRH interviewing the editor of the doc Paul Carlin. The huge band shot on-screen is by Derek Ridgers. This photo by Shapersofthe80s
❚ DESPITE NOT BEING A FAN of Me-Me-Me George O’Dowd, I found the compelling new TV documentary Boy George & Culture Club an astonishing revelation on every level at its premiere this week in the Waterloo Imax cinema. The sheer quantity of picture research that had gone into it was self-evident in a fast-moving edit which combined brisk video clips with stills photography, especially from Andre Csillag’s archive (plus the odd shot from myself, including the first snap of drummer Jon Moss kissing George.)
All 90 minutes proved riveting as they reminded us that a key hit such as Karma Chameleon made number one on the US Hot 100 in 1984. It also took several moments for my guest and I to recognise Jon as he settled onto a sofa before the camera. Of course all members of the Culture Club band have reached old-age – Jon is 68 and Mikey and Roy all looked it! Impressive to hear so much love being expressed by everybody for everybody else, given the turbulence of Jon and George’s romance which parted the band after five years.
Surprising shots that emerged from a rummage through Jon’s archive revealed several prominent scars on his right cheek – a lover’s quarrel perhaps? No, according to an insider these came from two separate car accidents, and Jon proves to be such a gentle man, we might even hope this doc brings the band back together. No official release date but rumours are that TV might screen it this side of Xmas.
➢➢ Shapers of the 80s ➣➣ 