British pop icons Boy George and Culture Club won’t be playing in Victoria, after all.
Victoria’s Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre announced this afternoon that the Nov. 16 concert has been cancelled.
Assistant General Manager Jeff Harris said in an email the show has been postponed “due to personal matters beyond the control of the group.”
Refunds are available at place of purchase.
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One of the biggest pop bands in the world in the 1980s, Culture Club, who racked up seven straight Top 10 hits in the UK and nine Top 10 singles in the US, announced they will be making a stop in Victoria on November 16.
Central to the band’s appeal was the flamboyant front man Boy George, whose cross-dressing and heavy make-up created an image which was completely unique on the pop scene. George was also noted for his biting wit and frequently came up with cutting quips that won Culture Club media exposure on both sides of the Atlantic.
Although they drew influence from the ‘New Romantic’ movement, Culture Club was also inspired by the music and fashion of ‘Northern Soul’, which helped to create a broader appeal.
Culture Club grew out of the ashes of ‘Sex Gang Children’, formed by George and bassist Mikey Craig. Drummer Jon Moss and guitarist Roy Hay came on board, and by 1981 the band had been renamed.
Early in 1982 a deal was signed with Virgin Records, but success eluded them until the release of their third single in the autumn, the massive breakthrough hit ‘Do You Really Want To Hurt Me’.
Shortly after this Culture Club’s debut album ‘Kissing To Be Clever’, climbed to No.5 on the UK charts, while another non-album single ‘Time (Clock Of The Heart)’ reached No.3.
The band’s US success followed early in 1983 with the album and both singles riding high in the charts. A third single ‘I’ll Tumble 4 Ya’ was taken from the album in the US, providing additional Top 10 success.
Culture Club initially broke up in 1986 but has reunited a number of times over the years. Its latest reunion came in 2014.
Tickets will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre box office, by phone at 250-220-7777, or online at selectyourtickets.com.
