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

1999

The Pet Shop Boys perform at Wembley Arena in London, their final show before a four-week break in the Nightlife Tour.

2009

Continuing the U.K. leg of their Pandemonium Tour, the Boys perform in Manchester. This same evening, BBC6 radio broadcasts a program that Neil and Chris had recorded several days earlier focusing on dance music that has especially influenced them.

2012

‘Neil Tennant’s Smash Hits Christmas,’ a special program that focuses on Neil’s time as an assistant editor with the magazine, airs on BBC Radio 4.

2021

An hour-long edit of Performance, the film of the Pet Shop Boys’ 1991 tour, is televised this evening on BBC4.

Facts collated by geowayne.com