Boy George - 15 Months

Boy George was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for falsely imprisoning someone. Whatever the circumstances or reasoning behind it, that is not something to be condoned. But 15 months imprisonment? That smacks of example setting and a 'gotcha' mentality. The news coverage also seems to be enjoying it. It all seems rather distasteful.

George is reported to have said, before Christmas, that despite the trial and worry of it all, last year had been his best for a long time because he'd found his music again. And he did. I saw him live and he was on top form. His single, 'Yes We Can', is one of the best non-hits of the year and in it he sings, 'Please forgive these crimes against myself...'. He's not stupid, but he has bad habits.

I've always preferred George's solo work from the '90s onwards. Culture Club were always a bit too soft for me, but by the '90s he'd toughened up and was writing and delivering some excellent songs. He was a kamikaze queer and challenged thinking. He then wrote 'Taboo' and reinvented the '80s in his own image. We should rejoice in his work.

Prison will either be awful because of who he is or easy because of who he is. I hope it's the latter. I hope he comes out ready to record a new album of great songs. Good luck George.