What really happened between Boy George and Jon Moss behind the scenes? How did their relationship shape one of the most influential bands of the 1980s?
In his book Karma, Boy George reveals the complex dynamics between himself and Jon Moss that fueled both creativity and conflict within Culture Club. Their story weaves through the band’s remarkable rise, personal struggles with identity, and the pressures of sudden fame in the unforgiving music industry.
Keep reading for an intimate look at the passionate but turbulent relationship that helped create some of pop music’s most memorable hits.
Image credit (Boy George): Eva Rinaldi via Wikimedia Commons (License)
Image credit (Jon Moss): P metalady via Wikimedia Commons (License)
Boy George and Jon Moss
The book details his formative years in London where he forged a distinct musical identity inspired by glam rock and punk, the band’s unexpected success marred by conflicts between him and bandmate Jon Moss, his downward spiral into addiction, and his path to sobriety and rebirth as a spiritual pioneer embracing his authenticity. Through it all, Boy George reflects on the hard lessons learned and how staying true to oneself transcends labels and fame.
Boy George describes how Culture Club came together, starting with a chance encounter through a Melody Maker photo that led to meeting Mikey Craig. Through a series of fortunate events, including an introduction by Kirk Brandon, he met Jon Moss, leading to their first rehearsal. The band’s members—Mikey Craig, Roy Hay, Boy George, and Jon Moss—brought together English, Irish, Jamaican, and Jewish influences, creating a unique cultural blend that would become their trademark.
(Shortform note: Jon Moss, as a drummer, brought a distinct musical style and experience from his previous work with bands such as The Damned and Adam and the Ants, which helped shape the band’s sound.)
The band’s breakthrough came with their appearance on “Top of the Pops,” which launched them into stardom. However, success brought its own challenges, particularly the intense media scrutiny and internal band tensions. These tensions were largely fueled by the tumultuous relationship between Boy George and Jon Moss.
(Shortform note: The music industry at the time was known for its intense scrutiny and often conservative views, which might have exacerbated Moss’ difficulties in openly addressing his sexual identity.)
The relationship between Boy George and Jon Moss was particularly complex. Moss’s struggles with his sexual identity, combined with fame’s pressures, led to frequent conflicts, both physical and emotional. Their partnership was marked by infidelity, jealousy, and deception, though Boy George acknowledges their strong creative connection despite the dysfunction.
(Shortform note: The dynamic between Boy George and Moss often fueled their songwriting and performances, with personal experiences and tensions sometimes translating into the emotional intensity of their music.)
As fame grew, so did Boy George’s personal struggles. What began as casual marijuana use evolved into a serious heroin addiction, which he tried to conceal while maintaining his public persona. The pressures of celebrity and his volatile relationship with Moss contributed significantly to his substance abuse.
The consequences of his addiction led to legal troubles and public scandal. While accepting responsibility for his actions, Boy George harbors resentment toward several parties, including the media, his brother David, and Moss, whom he believes failed him during his difficulties.
Looking back, Boy George expresses remorse for his self-destructive behavior and the pain he caused others. He acknowledges his past mistakes, including his impulsive reactions and lack of boundaries, particularly in his relationship with Moss. While working toward self-forgiveness, he maintains some bitterness toward those he feels contributed to his struggles.
