Dirty Boy George Cleans Up

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Boy George, famous for hits like “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” and his over the top makeup and attire, has put on some dubious stunts in recent news. The former Culture Club singer has been involved with the authorities a few times in the past two years, most recently in May of 2007 for allegedly kidnapping and chaining a male escort to the wall of his London flat. The previous summer, George, born George Alan O’Dowd, admitted to wasting time with the police when he falsely reported burglary in his Manhattan apartment. Upon further investigation, NYPD found cocaine in his possession, and the Karma Chameleon was sentenced to community service and spent time cleaning the streets of the Big Apple. Rolling up his sleeves in style, he wore a bright orange vest, Capri pants and shoes-sans socks.

The British singer apparently learned his lesson and found an appreciation for the workers and made some friends while working the broom. As an honor to these fine people, George has decided to perform a concert for the Department of Sanitation’s Family Day on August 17. “The people I worked along side with showed great kindness to me at a very difficult time, and I wanted to thank them all in a way that would show my appreciation,” George says.

“Keeping NYC safe and clean is a daunting challenge—as Boy George well knows,” says Michael A. Bimonte, first deputy commissioner for the Department of Sanitation, “and we welcome his generous offer to entertain those who have made our city the cleanest it has been in more than 30 years.” The Family Day show is a part of Boy George’s stateside tour, which commences in Aspen, Colorado this July.