August 1983

Neil is sent to New York by Smash Hits to interview The Police. By this time the Pet Shop Boys are obsessed by a stream of hi energy records made by New York producer Bobby Orlando, known as Bobby O’. “I thought well, if I’ve got to go and see The Police play then I’m also going to have lunch with Bobby O’ ”. Neil and Bobby O share a cheeseburger and carrot cake at a restaurant called The Apple Jack on August 19^th (two years to the day since Neil and Chris met) and Bobby O’, flatered by Neil’s compliments, suggests making a record with the Pet Shop Boys.

History

On this day

2001

The Pet Shop Boys make it into The Observer’s readers’ poll of the 100 greatest singles of all time, with ‘West End Girls’ placing at #70.

2009

The Boys compose a one-minute ‘classical’ piece (‘Particle’) that will later be performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra for its upcoming ‘Music and Chance’ project. As Neil later says, ‘Chris basically wrote it and I added a couple of parts.’

2021

Frances Barber is nominated for the Off West End ‘Best Lead Performance’ Award for her role as Billie Trix in the stage show Musik, with songs composed by Neil and Chris.

Facts collated by geowayne.com