Punks were not thrilled with Culture Club. I remember at the time being fairly disgusted, in fact. Having this band of poofters even vaguely associated with the whole anti-rock thing was threatening - sexually and otherwise. But, Boy George's image wasn't about being gay (which, as it turned out, he was); it was about, rather, challenging our preconceptions about gender roles (which, as it turned out, they needed to be). Culture Club's music was certainly lighter than air, but it had its moments, too ("Do You Really Want To Hurt Me," "Church Of The Poison Mind," "Karma Chameleon").

It was also hugely popular, as Boy George and his troupe became some of the biggest and oddest stars of the early MTV era. Ultimately, nothing great came from any of it artistically, but perhaps the world was a little happier and more comfortable with unusual people. And that's kinda punk, innit? At Worst... The Best Of Boy George And Culture Club has their many hits plus some of Boy George's solo efforts ("The Crying Game," "Everything I Own").