Boy George, Axl Rose in trouble again
PROVO, Utah -- The state of Utah is holding elections today, as I continue my visit to the land of mountains and Mormons, so on this day state law mandates no drinking of alcohol! (Bars, already restricted to members only, can't open until the polls close.) Two hooligans from the 80s (three if you include me) who could never survive Election Day in Utah just made the news again: Boy George and Axl Rose.
Boy George (click for podcast) was threatened with a spell in prison on Monday if he didn't complete his community service requirement stemming from falsely reporting a burglary (thus avoiding drug possession charges.) According to reports, Boy doesn't want to rake leaves in a New York city park -- it's too humiliating. (Pausing for obligatory laugh.) Personally, I'm hoping he blows off the leaves. It never gets old blogging about George. I'm already working on a list of "Top 5 things Boy George needs to avoid saying while incarcerated."
Meanwhile, Axl Rose (click for podcast) was arrested in Stockholm, Sweden, earlier today for damaging a hotel room and roughing up a security guard. (I'm not sure that's even a crime anymore back in the States). Media reports from overseas say the Guns N' Roses botox boy was too drunk to answer questions so he's passing the hours in a cell until he's sober enough to straighten things out. A little hair of the dog, Axl. That'll do the trick.
Is it just me or have these two 80s celebs erased whatever accomplishments they had with their ongoing criminal behavior?
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
I'll care. Axl is an amazing singer.
Posted by: Amy | September 22, 2006 at 10:26 PM
George is very quick to critisize and condemn his fellow artist but he cant seem to point that finger of judgement back at himself,wonder why??He's seems to have brains about him but doesnt use them much,especially in situation in which he should.Axl is an idiot. Hes only in the news when hes a no show for a concert and a riot breaks out afterwards or when he's decideds to beat on somebody.Its no wonder that Slash and the others left to do oother thing I woul d have done the same. We all be over 50 by the time Chinese Democracy comes out and even when it does noone will care.MM
Posted by: Mirrorball Man | June 28, 2006 at 04:41 PM
the best and worst of boy george and culture club is a great album.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 28, 2006 at 01:16 PM
Boy George is certainly a scary individual. I am still scratching my head over his transformation. The name "Boy George" hardly fits a beefy, pasty, middle aged man.
Posted by: Saur♥Kraut | June 28, 2006 at 07:49 AM
Mr. B -- Chances are that I will indeed be back in Utah again. I'm here til Thursday morning this time around. Love the mountains and the low humidity, and the conference I'm here for is an annual thing. At the very least, we'll get you on the phone live during a podcast soon. Any interest in Pretty in Pink or Duran Duran?
Posted by: Steve Spears | June 28, 2006 at 12:01 AM
That would have been a great idea! In retrospect, we really should have come up with something... like when you first posted that you were coming here...I could've said..."since you're here...!" But I've never been known to come up with good ideas at the right time. I would have LOVED to hang out on a podcast with you! I would have gladly made the journey! Oh well...next time! :)
Posted by: Mr. B | June 27, 2006 at 10:40 PM
Too bad you're not closer, Mr. B. We could have done a podcast out here. That would have been a blast.
Posted by: Steve Spears | June 27, 2006 at 06:17 PM
Axl Rose made "Appetite for Destruction." And he bit the security guard, didn't he? He's got an appetite. But that wasn't a meal. It was just a midnight snack.
Posted by: Tonka | June 27, 2006 at 06:14 PM
Actually, I'm about an hour or so away from Provo.Also, I'm usually away from a computer when I'm listening to the podcast. So I listen to the Name that Tune segment and think to myself, "I know that, I'm going to e-mail Steve the first moment I get to a computer. And then, the next time I think about it is the following week when you give the answer and move to the next one! So now that I'm thinking about it, and I'm at a computer, I'm going to send my answer!:)
Posted by: Mr. B | June 27, 2006 at 05:31 PM
Ahh, Mr. B! Are you close by? I mean to e-mail you ahead of time. That t-shirt and hat is sitting in a Fed-ex bag on my desk. Tell me you got the latest music challenge. It's too easy.
Posted by: Steve Spears | June 27, 2006 at 03:33 PM
People sure do love picking on Utah.But since you're here, maybe you could swing by house and drop off my T-shirt I won so long ago! :D
Posted by: Mr. B | June 27, 2006 at 02:25 PM