After completing a degree in history at the Polytechnic of North London, Neil takes a job at Marvel Comics, anglicizing spellings and indicating where over-risque woman needed to be redrawn decently. While there he interviews comic fan Marc Bolan, who politely points out that his tape recorder wasn’t working. In 1977 he works at Macdonald Educational Publishing, later moving to ITV Books. In June 1982, he joins Smash Hits.
Christopher Sean Lowe is born in Blackpool, Lancashire, U.K.
The Boys perform ‘So Hard’ on Top of the Pops.
It’s the second day of rehearsals for their upcoming DiscoVery Tour. After an interview with journalist Chris Heath for the tour program, Neil and Chris head off to celebrate the latter’s birthday with an evening performance by Shirley Bassey.
They finish their recording work on their next album, Release.
The Pet Shop Boys receive Q Magazine’s annual Inspiration Award, given to ‘acts that have inspired new generations of musicians, songs, and music lovers in general.’
Chris, in Moscow for a DJ’ing gig at a club opening, celebrates his birthday with a dinner at a restaurant with several friends and acquaintances, including Dainton Connell. It will be the last time Chris sees him before the automobile accident several hours later that claims Dainton’s life.
The Boys are in Santiago, Chile, having arrived a day or two beforehand so that they can enjoy several days off before their concert there on the 7th. Neil notes on their official website that this afternoon he is ‘recovering from Chris’s birthday party.’
Chris spends his birthday working with Neil on their upcoming musical tribute to Alan Turing, after which he enjoys dinner with friends. On the Boys’ official website he describes it as ‘a wonderful day.’
The Pet Shop Boys perform in Portland, Oregon.