On August 19th, Neil and Chris meet by chance in an electronics shop on the Kings Road. Realizing they have a common interest in dance music, they begin to write together. Initially they call themselves West End; later they come up with the name Pet Shop Boys, a name derived from some friends who work in a pet shop in Ealing. “We thought it sounded like an English rap group”.
Directed by Derek Jarman, the Pet Shop Boys have a dress rehearsal in London for their upcoming tour—their first ever—which will kick off one week later with a show in Hong Kong.
‘Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)’ hits its #72 peak on the U.S. singles chart.
Electronic’s single ‘Disappointed,’ co-written by Neil, who also sings lead vocals, is released.
The Boys perform in Hamburg, Germany.
Neil and Chris are in Amsterdam for their concert this evening at the Heineken Music Hall.
Tonight is the first of three consecutive PSB/Take That shows in Glasgow, Scotland. As they have throughout the tour, the Boys work on new songs back at their hotel. Today they begin writing a song titled ‘Making Waves.’
Chris and Neil work all day on a song titled ‘Wedding in Berlin,’ which they will later offer as a wedding present to some friends of theirs.
They perform this evening at the Nottingham Motorpoint Arena.
The Pet Shop Boys are among the artists—creators of ‘Northern anthems’ as voted on by the general public—depicted in an exhibition of original portraits by Manchester-based illustrator Stanley Chow that opens today at Sage Gateshead as part of the ‘Great Exhibition of the North.’ The PSB songs that have been nominated by the public as ‘Northern anthems’ are ‘Love Comes Quickly’ and ‘It’s a Sin.’
The Dreamworld Tour comes to Cork, Ireland.
Pet Shop Boys headline at the Isle of Wight Festival.