When Chuck Berry cut his debut single “Maybellene” at Chess Records in 1955, it’s hard to say whether he or Leonard Chess knew exactly what was about to happen. The song was recorded while black Americans were still fighting for basic civil rights and the same year that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. With an electric guitar and some swinging rhythm, the young musician was about to change American music during an already turbulent time of change.
When Berry’s fusion of black blues music with white country styles hit the market, the song jumped up the charts, signifying the country’s love for rock ’n’ roll from the start. While the influence of Berry’s song didn’t change America overnight, it had an undeniable influence on the overall acceptance of future artists to come, and it certainly mobilized young white consumers to think outside of racial prejudices when buying an album.
Less than a decade later, a group of four Brits from Liverpool began topping American Billboard charts with a cover of Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven.” Anecdotes abound about The Beatles’ first performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. While most of the older generation couldn’t stop complaining about the length of the group’s hair—which is totally tame by today’s standards—the younger generation was completely infatuated with the British group’s take on American rock ’n’ roll. It wasn’t long before American male hairlines began to expand beyond the socially sanctioned norm of the 1950s, and though they were met with plenty of resistance, more and more artists deemed “controversial” were finding audiences and album sales in the states.
Culture itself is an amorphous phenomenon. Customs, social rules, and taboos vary from group to group, even within one community, but mass media has influenced much broader shifts in perception of certain groups or subcultures. The Beatles, for instance, were a shock to the social scene because they defied the normal buzz-cut look that was expected in most of the country. The boom in hair growth following Beatlemania can’t be tied solely to the Four, but the influence is undeniable.
Twenty years later, another British pop group took America by storm, reaching a Billboard milestone that until then had only been reached by The Beatles. Culture Club achieved three top 10 hits in America from the group’s debut album Kissing to Be Clever, with their following album topping American and international charts as well. Headed by frontman Boy George, the group also included bassist Mikey Craig, guitarist Roy Hay, and drummer Jon Moss. The four gave the group its name as a comment on their diverse cultural backgrounds.
Culture Club was the center of lots of media attention—both negative and positive—after the release and popularity of Kissing to Be Clever, because of Boy George’s androgynous dress and makeup clad appearance, which certainly defied social norms, especially those expected of a male rock star. While George remained coy in the media regarding his sexual orientation, he was widely regarded as a gay icon. His appearance on shows like The A Team as himself helped make the artist not just an unavoidable face, but also a household name.
Today, Culture Club has reunited to record the new single, “More Than Silence,” and go on tour. The group will perform from their songbook of hits at the Chumash Casino on Nov. 20, including songs like “Karma Chameleon,” “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya,” and “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.” The group is now venerated along with many other loved rock bands from the last 60 years.
Boy George never lost his presence in American pop culture, often appearing networks like MTV and VH1 through the years to share his artistic and social perspective. He’s continued to be a vocal advocate for equality regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, always appearing with a new makeup style, while also not afraid to don a more masculine goatee.
The current wave of LGBT acceptance is the result of long processes of societal change. While the issues—from LGBT equality to racial disparities—are far from resolved, progress is undeniable. Our culture, while often resistant to change, gives a caveat to the artist, whom we expect to defy authority and challenge social norms. Each individual artist, however, is only able to do this thanks to the boundaries pushed by each preceding generation. In this way, art undeniably keeps the engines of social change churning.
UPDATE: Culture Club announced on Nov. 13 the cancellation of its North American tour, including the Nov. 20 concert at the Chumash Casino Resort. Front man and pop icon Boy George received a doctor’s order to cancel the tour after a polyp was discovered in the singer’s throat. The band regrets having to cancel the tour, according to a statement released today by the group’s publicist.
What’s the time?
The Chumash Casino Resort offers a live concert featuring MC Hammer in concert on Nov. 13 at 8 p.m. at the resort, 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. More information is available at 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Sisters in concert
The Lompoc Concert Association presents a concert with bluegrass Americana sibling quartet Redhead Express on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 925 N. F St., Lompoc. Cost is $25, $5 for students. More information is available at 735-1408 or lompocconcert.org.
Bringing the brass
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society presents the Burnished Brass in concert as part of the Rendezvous Series on Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. at Moxie Café, 1317 W. McCoy Lane, Santa Maria. More information is available at 925-0412 or santamariaphilharmonic.org.
Get down at D’Vine
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features regular live music including Greasy Kid Stuff on Nov. 15, Jacob Cole on Nov. 19, and Jerry Stickle on Nov. 20. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. at the D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More information is available at 430-8356 or dvinewinebarandbistro.com.
Marquez at the vintners
The Radisson Hotel presents live music Fridays and Saturdays including Juan Marquez performing Nov. 14 and 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson, 3455 Skyway Dr., Santa Maria. More information is available at 928-8000.
A place to share
Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic event for musicians and poets on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Lucia’s Wine Co. tasting room, 126 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More information is available at 332-3080 or lucias-wine-co.com.
Get down at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment each weekend, including California Country performing on Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. Concert on the Deck with Rebel Heart is Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Rebel Heart performs live Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More information is available at 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 13-20, 2014.