The Story of Culture Club’s Jon Moss: From Drummer to Heartthrob
When we think of 80s pop, the name Culture Club immediately comes to mind. With Boy George’s flamboyant persona and signature vocals, the band dominated the charts with hits like “Karma Chameleon” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?”. But behind the scenes, the band’s drummer, Jon Moss, had an equally fascinating story that is often overlooked.
Early Life and Career
Jon Moss was born in London in 1957 and grew up with a love for music. He started playing the drums at the age of 14 and formed his first band, The Squad, with schoolmates. In the late 70s, Jon found success as a drummer for the bands Adam and The Ants and Siouxsie and the Banshees. However, it wasn’t until he joined Culture Club in 1981 that his career took off.
Joining Culture Club
Jon Moss was introduced to Boy George and the band’s guitarist, Roy Hay, by Steve Strange of the New Romantics band Visage. He was initially hired as a session drummer for Culture Club, but the band quickly realized his potential and offered him a permanent spot.
As the band’s drummer, Jon Moss was responsible for creating the iconic beats that defined Culture Club’s sound. He also contributed backing vocals and co-wrote several of the band’s songs, including “Church of the Poison Mind” and “Victims”.
Love Triangle
One of the most intriguing aspects of Jon Moss’s story is his complicated relationship with Boy George. The two had a romantic relationship that lasted for several years, despite Jon’s marriage to his wife, Barbara. The affair eventually led to the breakup of Culture Club in 1986.
In interviews, both Jon and Boy George have spoken candidly about their relationship and its impact on the band. Jon has said that he and Boy George remain close friends to this day, while Boy George has described their relationship as “a great love story”.
Post-Culture Club
After the breakup of Culture Club, Jon Moss continued to pursue music. He formed the band Heartbeat UK and released an album in 1988. He also collaborated with several other notable musicians, including Pete Townshend and Tina Turner.
In addition to his music career, Jon Moss has also worked as a producer and actor. He appeared in the film “The Krays” and had a recurring role on the TV series “EastEnders”.
Conclusion
Jon Moss’s story is a fascinating one that illustrates the complexities of fame and creative collaboration. As the drummer for Culture Club, he played an integral role in creating some of the most recognizable pop hits of the 80s. But his personal life, particularly his relationship with Boy George, also added an extra layer of drama to the band’s story. Nevertheless, Jon Moss’s talent as a musician and his contributions to the music industry should not be overlooked.
