A few years ago, when England's flamboyant synth-pop pioneers Culture Club reformed a few years back, I was intrigued and amused. This had less to do with hits such as "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" or "Time (Clock of the Heart)" or "Karma Chameleon" or "Miss Me Blind" than the fact that my pal Ernie Myers, with his band The Elements, opened concerts for Culture Club back in the mid-'80s.

It was the first time The Elements has played 10,000 seat halls and they were understandably pretty giddy. After their set in Austin, with the houselights up before Culture Club came out, Ernie emerged from backstage to check out the crowd he'd just been playing to. An attractive young woman approached him — separated only by the security fence — and said, "Hey, aren't you the singer in the first band?"

Ernie, pleased with his new "fame" and the idea that, indeed, big time rock 'n' roll was something he could get used to, smiled and said, "Yep, that was me."

The pretty girl frowned, said, "Y'all suck," spun around, and marched off.

Ah, well, stardom is fleeting. Unless you're Culture Club, I guess. See Boy and the crew tonight when they perform at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The Elements will not be appearing in support.

Culture Club, 7:30 p.m. tonight, Mohegan Sun Arena; $29-$49; 1-800-745-3000.