News & Notes

PAN-CULTURE CLUB
That wacky Boy George. Reports out of London say the former George O'Dowd has become a member of the Hare Krishna cult. Perhaps to demonstrate his renewed hope in mankind, he's formed a new dance-oriented band called Jesus Loves You, which has just released its debut single, ''Generations of Love.'' (The Boy's name is nowhere to be found on the record, but that is indeed him warbling about the end of apartheid and war.) On a recent trip to India, the Boy also recorded with a local pop singer, Asha Bhosle. A spokesman for the former Culture Club lead singer couldn't confirm his religious affiliations or even his current whereabouts but said that his changes in haircuts and religions over the last few years have simply been ''part of his [drug] recovery process.'' Virgin plans to release a Jesus Loves You album in the States, possibly under the Boy George moniker to avoid public confusion. But we're already confused.

THE SONNY SESSIONS
Sonny Bono — neglected rock god? So says Pittsburgh-based Bogus Records, which is busy compiling a tribute to the current mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., called Bonograph — Sonny Gets His Share. To be released toward year's end, the album features renditions of such Bono-fied hits as ''I Got You Babe,'' ''The Beat Goes On,'' ''Baby Don't Go,'' and ''Needles and Pins'' (a hit for the Searchers, but cowritten by Bono) as performed by a bevy of alternative rock bands (including the Young Fresh Fellows and Agitpop) and two members of the Smithereens. ''We feel Sonny Bono never got full credit for his writing and producing abilities,'' says Carl Grefenstette, president of Bogus. ''Plus, it was a fun idea.'' Asked to explain the appeal of Sonny's work with Cher, Grefenstette said, after an abnormally long pause, ''He was a unique songwriter and a colorful character.'' Bono, apparently busy with his mayoral duties, has not yet responded to Grefenstette's letter about the project, nor was he available for comment.