Boy George Says He Emailed 'Tirades of Love and Worship' to David Bowie: 'I'd Get, Like, a Line Back'

Mar. 15, 2025

Boy George; David Bowie.Photo:Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty; Pete Still/Redferns

Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty; Pete Still/Redferns

It’s safe to sayBoy Georgeis aDavid Bowiefan.In the Tuesday, Feb. 25 episode ofThe Lulu Podcast: Turning Points, the “Karma Chameleon” singer admitted to constantly emailing the late musician. “I used to send him emails,” he said. “I’d send these tirades of love and worship, and I’d get like a line back.“Host Lulu joked that Boy George, 63, was “slightly” obsessed withBowie, who died in 2016, early in the interview. “Because I think Bowie was one of those people that if he liked you, it was like, ‘Oh I’m absolutely cool, don’t even try to consider that I’m not,' " Boy George said.He took listeners back to when he first saw Bowie in 1972. “My brother was the original Bowie fan,” Boy George added, saying that he would hearThe Man Who Sold the Worldplaying through his brother’s walls.Boy George in London on Feb. 25, 2025.Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/GettyThe release ofThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardustin 1972made him become even more of a fan. “I used to sit outside his house,” Boy George continued of Bowie’s Beckenham residence in London. “There’s a famous story about [Bowie’s ex-wife] Angie opening the window and telling us to f— off.““She opened the window and goes, ‘Would you just f— off!' “A devoted fan, Boy George said that he would try and catch every gig — and even a glimpse of the “Changes” singer.He recently found a pictureof him at Victoria station when he was 14 years old waiting for Bowie after he returned from Berlin.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“He arrived at Victoria station in the big sort of Cadillac, and I remember being photographed and I remember thinking, ‘I might get in trouble because I’m being photographed. What if my mum sees it?’ " Boy George added. “So I recently saw [the photo] and it’s mindblowing.“Boy George, whose real name is George Alan O’Dowd, said that he did meet Bowie several times and even grabbed dinner with him. He considers the singer one of his influences and even has a tattoo of Bowie on his arm.David Bowie.Steve Morley/RedfernsThe singer paid tribute in an emotional letter toThe Daily Mailwhen Bowie died in January 2016 afterbeing diagnosed with cancer. “I always dreaded this day. I hoped he was immortal. I was sure of it,” Boy George concluded his tribute. “Today feels like the end of everything!“Boy George took part in the2021 tribute concert for Bowie. The global streaming event, calledA Bowie Celebration: Just For One Day!took place on what would’ve been Bowie’s 74th birthday and donated proceeds from the show toSave the Children.Coming up for Boy George is hisreturn to Broadwayto play Harold Zidler inMoulin Rougein March for several weeks.

It’s safe to sayBoy Georgeis aDavid Bowiefan.

In the Tuesday, Feb. 25 episode ofThe Lulu Podcast: Turning Points, the “Karma Chameleon” singer admitted to constantly emailing the late musician. “I used to send him emails,” he said. “I’d send these tirades of love and worship, and I’d get like a line back.”

Host Lulu joked that Boy George, 63, was “slightly” obsessed withBowie, who died in 2016, early in the interview. “Because I think Bowie was one of those people that if he liked you, it was like, ‘Oh I’m absolutely cool, don’t even try to consider that I’m not,' " Boy George said.

He took listeners back to when he first saw Bowie in 1972. “My brother was the original Bowie fan,” Boy George added, saying that he would hearThe Man Who Sold the Worldplaying through his brother’s walls.

Boy George in London on Feb. 25, 2025.Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty

Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty

The release ofThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardustin 1972made him become even more of a fan. “I used to sit outside his house,” Boy George continued of Bowie’s Beckenham residence in London. “There’s a famous story about [Bowie’s ex-wife] Angie opening the window and telling us to f— off.”

“She opened the window and goes, ‘Would you just f— off!' "

A devoted fan, Boy George said that he would try and catch every gig — and even a glimpse of the “Changes” singer.He recently found a pictureof him at Victoria station when he was 14 years old waiting for Bowie after he returned from Berlin.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“He arrived at Victoria station in the big sort of Cadillac, and I remember being photographed and I remember thinking, ‘I might get in trouble because I’m being photographed. What if my mum sees it?’ " Boy George added. “So I recently saw [the photo] and it’s mindblowing.”

Boy George, whose real name is George Alan O’Dowd, said that he did meet Bowie several times and even grabbed dinner with him. He considers the singer one of his influences and even has a tattoo of Bowie on his arm.

David Bowie.Steve Morley/Redferns

Steve Morley/Redferns

The singer paid tribute in an emotional letter toThe Daily Mailwhen Bowie died in January 2016 afterbeing diagnosed with cancer. “I always dreaded this day. I hoped he was immortal. I was sure of it,” Boy George concluded his tribute. “Today feels like the end of everything!”

Boy George took part in the2021 tribute concert for Bowie. The global streaming event, calledA Bowie Celebration: Just For One Day!took place on what would’ve been Bowie’s 74th birthday and donated proceeds from the show toSave the Children.

Coming up for Boy George is hisreturn to Broadwayto play Harold Zidler inMoulin Rougein March for several weeks.

source: people.com