Tuesday, 24 June 2008

Boy George denied U.S. visa as summer tour nears

NEW YORK — Do they really want to hurt him?



That's the question Boy George's managers are asking U.S. authorities now that the 47-year-old singer has been denied a visa to enter the country.



The Culture Club frontman, whose real name is George O'Dowd, had planned a U.S. tour this summer, including a Seattle stop July 20 at the Showbox at the market. The tour also included plans for a free concert at the New York City Department of Sanitation's Family Day in August. He worked for the department in 2006 while performing court-ordered community service in a drug case.



His managers said in a statement Monday that O'Dowd has been denied a visa because he's awaiting trial in London.



The singer, whose hits include "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" and "Karma Chameleon," has pleaded not guilty to imprisoning a man at his London home.



The U.S. Department of State said visa records are confidential so it couldn't comment.








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