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”.
Very debuts on the U.S. album chart.
The Pet Shop Boys introduce headliner Elton John at this year’s Stonewall Equality benefit show at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Live webcast of PSB in concert in Atlanta, Georgia.
They perform live in Lisbon, Portugal.
The live album Concrete is released.
The Boys spend most of the day working on ‘Pandemonium,’ although Neil also re-records some vocals for ‘King of Rome.’
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.’
As subsequently noted on their website, they attend a concert this evening by Johnny Marr’s band at London’s Brixton Academy.