Boy George recounts the first time he met David Bowie
They met a few times over the years
Last updated 24th Jun 2024
Boy George joined Harriet Scott at Magic Radio to talk about his brand new Culture Club tour and meeting his hero David Bowie.
The singer announced a new tour with Culture Club, taking place later this year, including venues in Liverpool, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow, London and more. The band will be touring their first two albums, and joined on the road by Tony Hadley and Heaven 17.
Boy George told Harriet he's really looking forward to it. "I always enjoy trying to connect with the audience," he explained.
"I never walk on thinking there's a bad audience. Some people say 'tough audience', but 'no'. Because then your job is to seduce them, to make them chill out."
Listen again to Harriet's interview with Boy George
The topic of conversation then turned to Culture Club's song 'Church of the Poison Mind'. It was kept off the top spot back in 1983 by none other than Boy George's hero David Bowie. Despite losing the competition for the Number 1 spot, Boy George said the 'Let's Dance' singer was "adorable".
"Yeah, yeah, (I've met David Bowie) a few times," the singer told Harriet. "He was adorable, he was... He knew I was a fan and he knew me before I was famous because he remembered me..."
Boy George went on to explain how he had "mad hair," and "was wearing a kimono and looking absolutely freaky", the first time he met David Bowie.
Once Boy George was famous, he admitted to seeing him in an airport, but being too nervous to go up and talk to him, explaining: "I was like, what do I do now? Because I'm famous too, and he's my hero, do I speak to him? I was too nervous. I thought (what) if he's rude to me... I didn't know, you know, if he might be unfriendly."
However, it couldn't be further from the truth, when the pair met later on in their careers. Boy George opened up about a time they went for dinner together, saying: "When I met him, (and) physically sat down with my dinner with him, he couldn't have been nicer.
"And I had a friend with me, and he was so nice to my friend, made my friend feel really welcome and you know, was joking with him and just lovely, just absolutely lovely."
When is Harriet Scott on Magic Radio?
Boy George was chatting to Harriet Scott on Magic Radio on her Saturday afternoon show. You can also hear Harriet on the Magic Radio Breakfast show with Ronan Keating every weekday from 6am until 10am.
Take a look through tours taking place in 2024 and beyond:
ABBA - 'ABBA Voyage'
ABBA's virtual tour 'ABBA Voyage' started in May 2022. The tour sees the ABBA avatars accompanied by a 10-piece live band, all taking place in a custom-built arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
The shows were due to run until October 2022, but due popular demand from fans, they will now run until 2026.
Jason Donovan
Jason Donovan will be going on tour in February and March 2026 with his 'Doin' Fine Encore' tour. The singer said: "I am so excited about extending this tour. There were some places we were unable to visit on the 'Doin' Fine 25' tour for logistical reasons, so it's great to be able to go and perform in those venues.
"My performing career has been an incredible ride, and I can't wait to celebrate it by performing the songs that have been such an important part of my life. It's been a fantastic tour so far, and I look forward to sharing all those special moments with my fans."
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys have announced a series of intimate gigs, taking place in April 2026. 'Obscure Pet Shop Boys', are truly for the biggest fans of the band, as they'll be performing non-single album tracks and B-sides, from throughout their long career.
Toyah Willcox
To celebrate 45 years in the music industry, 80s legend Toyah Willcox will be heading on tour from 2025 to 2026, starting by supporting The Human League at a series of shows in the summer of 2025, before her HUGE tour gets underway in March 2026. Entitled 'Songs & Stories Tour 2026', she'll take the tour to 49 intimate venues across England, Scotland and Wales — finishing on 14th June 2026.
Toyah also has a number of gigs in October and December 2025, in celebration of the release of her new greatest hits album, 'Chameleon: The Very Best Of Toyah'.
Rick Astley
Rick Astley has announced a huge UK tour with special guest Gabrielle. The 'Never Gonna Give You Up' singer will perform across the UK with gigs in Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Newcastle and many more, in April 2026.
Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack will be on tour throughout April and May 2026, celebrating 50 years in the music business and the release of his album 'The Country Side of Paul Carrack'. The singer said of the tour: "There's no feeling like performing live with this band. We've been through it all together, and we're excited to bring something new to these incredible venues. It's going to be a big one."
James Morrison
James Morrison has announced a tour for 2026 celebrating 20 years since the release of his debut album 'Undiscovered'. The singer will perform throughout May and the beginning of June, playing songs from his 5x Platinum album, along with some of this biggest hits.
Billy Ocean
In October 2025, Billy Ocean announced dates for his Summer 2026 tour where he will be performing across the UK from May until August. The singer will be joined by special guest, former Wet Wet Wet and solo artist Marti Pellow.
Foreigner
'I Want To Know What Love Is' band Foreigner have announced two UK dates for June 2026. The band will perform their biggest anthems from their back catalogue at the very special concerts.
UB40
UB40 have announced a huge tour taking place in June 2026. The band are expected to perform many of their iconic classic hits from their back catalogue and some brand new tracks which will feature on their upcoming studio album, due for release in Spring 2026.
The Human League
'Don't You Want Me' band The Human League have announced they will be performing a big outdoor show in 2026. The band, who will be joined by special guests ABC, will be taking to the stage for this one-off show in Leeds.
Boyzone
In September 2025, Boyzone announced they would be reuniting for their largest gig ever. Due to take place in London on Saturday 6th June 2026, the band will be playing to 44,000 fans for their show called 'One For The Road: Live At Emirates Stadium, London'.
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight has announced a huge UK headline tour for 2026 called 'Born to Perform'. The show will see Beverley perform some of her biggest hits as she also takes the audience on a journey through her career of music and theatre. The tour takes place throughout June 2026.
Westlife
After much excitement and teasing, the band revealed they will be playing across the UK in September and October 2026, as part of their 'Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour'. The band will start their UK leg in Aberdeen on Tuesday 29th September, before performing across the UK, ending with FIVE dates in Belfast (previously announced).
Now read:
Culture Club: Get to know the band behind 'Karma Chameleon'
Tickets are now on sale for Culture Club's UK arena tour with Tony Hadley and Heaven 17
Take a look through tours coming up in 2024 and beyond