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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

1991

‘DJ Culture’ is released as a single.

2002

‘London’ is released as a single—but only in Germany.

2005

The Boys attend a new London staging of the musical Hair—which, it turns out, they don’t like.

2006

They bring their Fundamental Tour to New York’s Radio City Music Hall (a sold-out show), after which they make a midnight ‘signing appearance’ at the Virgin Megastore.

2009

They perform in Rio de Janeiro.

2010

Accompanied by his friend Janet Street-Porter, Neil attends the Cartier Frieze Foundation Art Fair Dinner at Bar Boulud London at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.

2016

Their Super Tour now in full swing, Chris and Neil fly from Santiago, Chile, to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

2022

The Pet Shop Boys perform in Seattle, Washington.