Culture Club was one of the most popular groups of the ‘80s. From the release of their first album their songs were landing in the top 10 on Billboard. Their music was sensational and the cross-dressing, flamboyant style of Boy George, along with his cutting wit, caused the group to become a sensation almost overnight. The original title of the group was The Praise of Lemmings which Boy George started with bassist Mikey Craig. They changed their name to Sex Gang Children when they were joined by Jon Suede. Shortly after that Jon Moss became the drummer for the band.

The final title was decided on by Boy George when he replaced Suede with Roy Hay, who was a former member of Russian Bouquet. In the fall of 1981 the group released their first successful single "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?," which became a popular hit, making number two on Pop Singles and taking the world by storm.

The group's debut album, Kissing To Be Clever, reached number five on the UK charts. "Time (Clock Of The Heart)" reached number three in the charts, proving that the group was well on their way to becoming famous. By the time Color By Numbers was released in '83 the group was the most popular band of their generation. The song "Karma Chameleon" was a transatlantic number one hit, selling over five million copies around the world.

The group's popularity was short lived, however, and their '84 album Waking Up With The House On Fire did not duplicate the success of their first two albums. The album's single "The War Song" was their last big hit, peaking in the Top Ten. Boy George's drug addictions proved fatal to the band, particularly to the keyboardist Mike Rudetsky, who was found dead in George's home in July of '86. Culture Club broke up in '87 as George struggled with his addictions and set out on a solo career.