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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

1991

The PSB medley of ‘Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You)’ debuts on the U.S. singles chart.

1999

Neil is one of many celebrities who attend Ian McKellen’s 60th birthday party at London’s Royal Garden Hotel. There he meets Monica Lewinsky, who has become a friend and frequent guest of Sir Ian’s.

2000

The Pet Shop Boys receive the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.

2002

They appear on NBC’s Today show in New York City and then travel to Philadelphia for their evening concert there. After the show they meet with fans, signing autographs and responding to questions.

2005

Working in Pete Gleadall’s studio, they edit the Potemkin track ‘Men and Maggots’ to reduce its length on the album. Meanwhile, Trevor Horn continues production work on Fundamental at Sarm West, during which he plays bass on ‘Luna Park.’

2007

The Boys perform at the Wolverhampton (U.K.) Civic Hall.

2009

Chris and Neil guest on BBC Radio 2 in a program titled Pet Shop Boys: Wired, in which they choose and play their favorite electro-pop music of the past decade.

2013

They conclude the Latin American leg of their Electric Tour with a concert in Bogotá, Colombia.

2020

Chris begins composing a track he calls ‘Avant Garde,’ which will soon evolve into ‘A New Bohemia.’

2022

The Pet Shop Boys perform tonight in Bournemouth, U.K.