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

1988

The Pet Shop Boys are named Best British Group at the BRITS Awards. They also perform ‘What Have I Done to Deserve This?’ with Dusty Springfield.

1995

RIAA awards U.S. gold albums to both Discography and Very.

2000

The Boys perform in Paris.

2002

They kick off their U.K. ‘University Tour.’

2005

Neil records vocals for ‘I’m with Stupid.’

2012

Chris and Neil work at a recording studio in Sherman Oaks, California, taking advantage of the vintage synths there. Among the tracks they work on is ‘Memory of the Future.’ Later that evening they attend a concert featuring the Icelandic electronic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson with the Formalist String Quartet at the Masonic Lodge in Los Angeles.

2019

The fourth and final song from the Boys’ EP Agenda, ‘The Forgotten Child,’ begins streaming online, and the entire EP goes on sale on various digital outlets.

2023

Neil is interviewed and answers audience questions at The Cambridge Union, home of Cambridge University’s free speech and debating society.

Facts collated by geowayne.com