Boy George brought a radio interview to an abrupt end on Friday morning, as he hung up on Brisbane DJ Neil Breen over what he described as an “insulting” introduction. The 1980s icon. best-known as the lead singer of Culture Club, lasted just 60 seconds before he ended the call.
“If you grew up like I did as a teenager in the 1980s then Boy George was bigger than a big deal here in Australia,” Breen said as he introduced the 59-year-old. “He was massive.
“His band Culture Club dominated the Australian singles chart from late ’82 into ’83 with two songs. Karma Chameleon was obviously their most notable one that we remember, but Do You Really Want To Hurt Me as well was their breakthrough song.”
Breen also played a clip of Culture Club’s most famous track ‘Karma Chameleon’ before Boy George – real name George O’Dowd – joined him live on air. However The Voice judge let Breen know from the outset that he wasn’t happy with the way he’d been introduced.
“Especially after that terrible comment about my music. I mean there’s about 10 records you missed that were huge massive hits,” the singer said, laughing. Boy George then listed a number of his other hit records, adding: “I mean, please.”
Breen – who admitted to being nervous about the chat as he was a big fan – then tried to smooth things over by saying: ” “We know how big you were, you were big in my house.” However things just went from bad to worse, as Boy George told the radio host not to talk about him “in past context” because it’s “really insulting”.
“I don’t mean to insult you, I was just reintroducing you to the audience who remember those great days but also remember you now and how big you are on The Voice,” Breen said, in an attempt to get the chat back on track. But that proved to be the final straw for Boy George, who replied: “Reintroduce them to someone who has been on national TV in Australia for the last four years? You don’t need to reintroduce me. I’m on TV. Everybody knows who I am,” the singer said.
The star then hung up on Breen, bringing the interview to an unexpected end.
After four years on @TheVoiceAU apparently I still need to be reintroduced to the Australian public. I must get a bigger hat! Just did one of the 'dark ages' radio interviews that ended with me hanging up!
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) July 2, 2020
Following the interview, Boy George took to Twitter to offer up his side of the story and described the chat as a “Dark Ages interview”. He wrote: “After four years on @TheVoiceAU apparently I still need to be reintroduced to the Australian public. I must get a bigger hat! Just did one of the ‘dark ages’ radio interviews that ended with me hanging up!”
Fans of the singer also offered up their support, with one writing: “Some people can be ignorant and very disrespectful. You are a legend an icon you don’t deserve any mistreatment George!!” Another said: “They don’t deserve your time. Don’t they go over the questions with you ahead of time??”
However others suggested that Neil was simply trying to ensure new, or younger listeners, got an idea of Boy George’s career. One person said: “Neil wasn’t being rude or impolite. Not everyone watches The Voice or may know who you are. More viewers might have tuned in &/or started listening to your music. BTW saw you in 83 & loved every minute.”