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”.
Chris and Neil, along with various other entertainers, visit Number 10 Downing Street to ‘have drinks with’ the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.
The Boys perform ‘I Don’t Know What You Want But I Can’t Give It Any More’ on Top of the Pops.
They work on the song ‘E‑mail.’
The Pet Shop Boys bring their Electric Tour to Marbella, Spain.
Continuing work at RAK Studios, Stuart Price finishes the mix of ‘Burning the Heather,’ after which Neil and Chris work on a new track, ‘Decide.’ This is followed by dinner with Price, who then returns to the studio to mix ‘Decide.’