If being in a band is as Boy George describes it — "like being in a dysfunctional family"— then the flamboyant frontman is without a doubt a troublesome teen.
George has been in as many scrapes as personas he's taken on over the years, with a public battle against drugs, stints behind bars and controversial books, music videos and statements.
But having celebrated his 50th birthday this year — yes, you heard right, half a century — growing older has provided George with the perfect vehicle for reflection. Seems this is one teen is ready to repent and re-invent.
The timing couldn't be better as he prepares for an emotional Culture Club reunion — the first in 13 years. On Thursday, Dubai will be the stage to debut the old but all-new group to the world.
"When you're younger you don't have an off button," said an eloquent George from his London base. "You allow yourself to get caught up in things which aren't necessarily important. There's a lot of drama. Then you realise you're not the most important person in the room."
George's "terrible teens" included being sentenced to community service in New York for falsely reporting a burglary and being convicted in London of assault and false imprisonment for which he served four months in prison.
This year marks 30 years of Culture Club, the British pop band who were pivotal as part of the 1980s' New Romantic movement. George's androgynous style grabbed the attention of the public and media alike, thrusting him into the spotlight.
Interestingly, not quite the spotlight he was hoping for, "I was expecting to be a bit more dangerously weird, on the edge. Bowie-esque," he said.
But before long George and his very own club of culture had the ladies swooning.
Happy
"Because of the way I looked I never thought I'd get little girls coming and screaming at me. That was never the plan. Sometimes what you plan for yourself and what actually happens is so different." His advice? "Be careful what you wish for."
One day into a gruelling five-day rehearsal schedule in a London studio, George, real name George O'Dowd, is chipper and more than happy to chat.
At first his sentences feel as rehearsed as the songs playing in the background, but before long he's settled, his voice full of sincerity.
The reunion isn't about the fans any more he explains, "there's nothing for us to prove to anyone but ourselves," yet an underlying need to prove something to himself simmers under his every word and eventually surfaces.
"When you're younger you're much more concerned with people's reactions towards you," he said, followed by a lengthy pause. "I'm not saying I don't care at all. Whenever you do something, which relies on the approval of others, you're going to worry about what people think. But now, I feel I've got a lot to prove to myself which make it interesting."
According to a make-up-less George something he's now at peace with is himself. "I'm less insecure. I look 50. Who cares?" His age has meant "a real shift" in the way he looks at both life and work.
"The best way to explain it is that I've finally realised how bonkers it is that I can make a living doing the thing I love. I don't take it for granted any more and I think that's important. I feel excited about it. When I was younger I was a bit more blase about it."
The news of the '80s icons getting back together, something they have tried once before (in 1998), is music to the ears of many.
George, Mikey Craig, Roy Hay and Jon Moss sold millions of records worldwide between 1982 and 1986 and influenced an entire generation of music and fashion lovers along the way.
Renowned for his eccentric look, dreadlocks, wildly colourful make-up and costumes, George never disappointed when it came to the style stakes.
In the early days George was rarely seen out of character. That has now changed according to the singer, who claims "I am no longer trapped in my persona any more and haven't been for a while".
"When I was younger I always felt a pressure to look as people expected me to. The thing I love about make-up and costume is that you can become someone instantly more beautiful. When I discovered Bowie, I discovered make-up and ultimately discovered what I could do to my pretty plain face and I was marvelled. I was hooked. It still intrigues me."
Top of the charts
With their first album, Kissing to Be Clever, the band had little luck. Two singles, White Boy and I'm Afraid of Me, both failed to chart and it wasn't until September 1982 when the group released the third single, Do You Really Want to Hurt Me, that they finally reached the top of the charts.
With George's eccentric look, his long hair, the band's debut on Top of the Pops caused a media frenzy. Headlines including "Wally of the week" and "Mr (or is it Mrs.?) Weird" filled newspapers and magazines. Generally George had an answer for everything and when Pete Burns claimed he was the first to wear braids, big hats, and colourful costumes, George was quick to reply, "It's not who did it first, it's who did it better".
The second album, Colour by Numbers, sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, and included the international hits Church of the Poison Mind and Karma Chameleon.
"We're making a new record and the general consensus for us is to make a record we're really proud of. We're not making it for radio. Our audience is slightly more contained. People like us and we know pretty much who will come and watch us play. They'll be a few converts but generally we know who will come. We're only out to please those people. I go on Twitter a lot and there are young kids, 15, who say ‘I really love your music'. I've always embraced everyone. I have 80-year-old women in my audiences."
But no matter what the subject it appears, age now plays an integral part in life, whether decision making or looking back.
"I don't think you get older and wiser just because you get older. You have to make the shift. You have to learn to have boundaries not only with yourself but with other people."
With maturity often comes regret. Not here. "I don't discount anything I've done. My past has been very important in shaping who I am now. I sometimes wonder if I would be the person I am today if I hadn't made those choices. I mean I wish you didn't have to cut off your ear to become enlightened, I wish there was another way, but that seems to be the kind of process."
I had to go. I had another interview. But George has manners, he's of the "old school" of artist thinking. I called a landline and he picked up, no manager or PR buffer in earshot. He gave the impression he had all day rather than the 10 minutes allocated (and I called late but he still answered and didn't complain).
Realising he too had to go — the band members waiting patiently to begin — George, ever the professional, still extremely industry savvy, took the chance to plug their first gig in more than 13 years.
"I think the live shows are so important because if you can cut it live it's pretty much one of the last tangible things we have. Nobody else can be you live. You can't be copied.
"We'll be doing a lot of the songs in chronological order," he added before revealing that a somewhat deconstructed version of the War Song would feature thanks to many requests over the years.
"People always said ‘why don't you do that song?' I think we've reached a point where we could be ironic about that song."
And for all those stuck in the '80s and holding out for the hair, be prepared to be disappointed.
"I won't be appearing in dreadlocks," he said, laughing almost uncontrollably. "I think there's something to be said for growing old with a little bit of grace. Past 40 you can't wear jeans hanging off your bottom. You don't want to look 50 and trying to be 15. I still dress up and I'm still extravagant but I like to think I do it with a bit of style and dignity."
Don't miss it
Culture Club take the stage at Dubai Tennis Stadium on Thursday at 9pm.Tickets are Dh295, available at Virgin Megastore, The Irish Village box office and the Hard Rock Cafe, DFC. Visit doneevents.com for more information.
