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History

August 1981

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”.

On this day

1993

Very debuts on the U.S. album chart.

1994

The Pet Shop Boys introduce headliner Elton John at this year’s Stonewall Equality benefit show at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

1999

Live webcast of PSB in concert in Atlanta, Georgia.

2004

They perform live in Lisbon, Portugal.

2006

The live album Concrete is released.

2008

The Boys spend most of the day working on ‘Pandemonium,’ although Neil also re-records some vocals for ‘King of Rome.’

2009

Chris and Neil attend a concert by Dame Shirley Bassey at the Roundhouse in London, during which she premiers their composition ‘The Performance of My Life.’ Afterwards they write on Twitter, ‘Amazing. Very proud when she sang our song.’

2014

As subsequently noted on their website, they attend a concert this evening by Johnny Marr’s band at London’s Brixton Academy.