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History

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 19th (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.

On this day

1989

Photographer Lawrence Watson snaps a picture of Neil and Chris at Japan’s Narita Airport during their MCMLXXXIX Tour. This photo later appears on the artwork of the singles ‘Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)’ and ‘How Can You Expect to Be Taken Seriously?’

1999

The Pet Shop Boys debut their ‘Nightlife look’ as well as some songs from that upcoming album at Capital Radio’s ‘Party in the Park’ at London’s Hyde Park.

2002

They perform in Dusseldorf, Germany.

2007

Evidence (as if any were really needed) that the Boys aren’t joined at the hip: Chris is in London, where he attends a Zaha Hadid exhibition at the Design Museum, while Neil enjoys a stopover in Paris on his return trip from a visit to Spain.

2008

Neil records vocals for the chorus of ‘Love etc.’ and he, Chris, and the Xenomania crew finalize the song’s structure. Neil also writes new lyrics for ‘Building a Wall.’

2012

Having received its radio debut the day before, ‘Winner’ today receives its digital single release on iTunes and Amazon.

2013

The Boys bring their Electric Tour show to the Czech Republic city of Karlovy Vary—their first-ever visit there. 

2017

Not quite ten years since their previous show there, the Pet Shop Boys make their second appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Following the concert, Chris and Neil meet singer-songwriter Beth Ditto of the band Gossip.

2018

The Pet Shop Boys, collaborating with London designer Jeffrey Bryant—who has worked with them before on a number of occasions, most notably having created their infamous ‘plastic straw jackets’ for the Electric Tour—are among the artists who have created customized trainers (more commonly ‘sneakers’ or ‘tennis shoes’ to Americans) that are auctioned off starting today on eBay to benefit the Albert Kennedy Trust charity for homeless LGBT youth.

2019

A new production of Closer to Heaven premieres this evening at Above the Stag Theatre in London.

2024

The Boys bring their Dreamworld Tour to Warsaw.