Everyone remembers the hats. They remember the braids, the heavy eyeliner, and Boy George’s unmistakable voice floating over those Caribbean-infused pop melodies. But if you look past the neon-lit 1980s aesthetic, you’ll find that the literal foundation of Culture Club wasn't just a marketing gimmick. It was a man named Mikey Craig.
Honestly, without Mikey, the band might never have existed. While George was the face, Mikey was the catalyst. He was the guy who saw a photo of George in Melody Maker and thought, "That's the singer for my band."
The Hammersmith Kid with a Reggae Soul
Born Michael Emile Craig on February 15, 1960, Mikey didn't start out dreaming of Top of the Pops. He grew up in a house full of women—four sisters, to be exact—and for a long time, it looked like he was going to be a professional footballer. He had the talent. Major teams were sniffing around. But his parents insisted on a "real education," and the football dream sort of faded into the background.
Music was always there, though. His brother Greg was in a group called Funkapolitan. Growing up in a Jamaican household in London meant Mikey was steeped in Rocksteady and heavy bass culture from day one. When he visited Jamaica at eleven, the deep, thumping grooves of the island got under his skin.
He eventually picked up the bass and started hitting the London club circuit. That’s where the magic started. He wasn't just a fan; he was a DJ. He understood what made people move.
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Forming the Club: It Wasn't Just About the Music
In 1981, the London scene was a weird, wonderful mess of punk, glam, and soul. Mikey and Boy George first linked up in a band called In Praise of Lemmings. They briefly tried on the name Sex Gang Children (which, thank goodness, didn't stick).
When drummer Jon Moss and guitarist Roy Hay joined, the lineup was complete. They looked at each other and realized they were a bit of a demographic puzzle:
- A gay Irish-British singer.
- A Black-British bassist.
- A Jewish drummer.
- An ethnic Englishman on guitar.
They called themselves Culture Club because, well, they were exactly that. It was a statement without being a lecture. Mikey’s presence was vital here. He provided the "soul" and the reggae backbone that allowed the band to experiment with styles that white pop groups rarely touched successfully.
The Bass Secret Weapon
If you listen to "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," the bass line is doing something incredible. It doesn’t just sit there. Mikey uses a Music Man StingRay to create this burbling, melodic pulse that skips the third beat. It’s a classic reggae trick, but in a pop context, it felt like fresh air.
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He wasn’t a flashy, "look at me" player. He was a pocket player. He understood that in a band with a personality as big as Boy George, the rhythm section had to be rock solid to keep the whole thing from floating away into the stratosphere.
Life After the "Club" Crashed
When the band imploded in 1986 under the weight of drug addiction and internal romance drama, Mikey didn't just disappear. He tried the solo thing with a cover of "I'm a Believer" in 1988, but it didn't really catch fire.
He’s a restless creator. In the mid-90s, he set up his own dance label called SLAMM Records and spent time producing and DJing. He also had a stint playing with Kid Creole and the Coconuts.
But there’s a heavy side to his story too. Mikey has been incredibly open in recent years about the personal tragedies he's faced, including the loss of his son to complications involving schizophrenia. It's a reminder that while we see these guys as 80s icons frozen in time, they've lived very real, often difficult lives.
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Culture Club in 2026: The New Chapter
If you go to see Culture Club today, you're likely seeing a three-piece core of the original four. Following a messy legal split with drummer Jon Moss around 2021, the band is now primarily George, Roy, and Mikey.
In a recent documentary that premiered at the Tribeca Festival, Mikey spoke about how he finally feels the "true story" of the band is being told. He’s noted that while George is a "genius," geniuses aren't always easy to deal with. But the bond remains. You can see it when they perform. Mikey stands there with his bass, often leaning back, still providing that same warm, articulate groove he perfected forty years ago.
How to Play Like Mikey Craig
If you're a bassist looking to capture that 80s soul-pop vibe, here’s the blueprint:
- Embrace the "One": Hit the first beat hard, but feel free to leave space where people expect a snare hit.
- Gear Matters: He’s known for the Music Man StingRay, but he also uses Fender Jazz basses and Spectors.
- Think Melodically: Don't just play roots. Mikey’s lines often move in ways that complement the vocal melody rather than just underlining it.
- Stay in the Pocket: His work with Jon Moss was legendary because they locked in. Even with a new drummer, Mikey’s job is to be the anchor.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go back and listen to the Colour by Numbers album, but don't listen to the vocals. Focus entirely on the bass tracks for "Miss Me Blind" or "It's a Miracle." You'll hear a masterclass in how to make a pop song swing. If you're catching them on their 2026 tour dates, watch the left side of the stage—that’s where the real engine of Culture Club is still running.