An exhibition opens at the Royal Academy in Piccadilly, London, today on the theme of “Happiness”. Various famous people have donated objects which represent an idea of personal happiness. Neil Tennant has given a signed photograph of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust explaining:
“In June, 1972, I went to see David Bowie perform at the City Hall in Newcastle on his Ziggy Stardust tour. At the climactic moment of the concert when Bowie sang “Wham! Bam! Thank you ma’am!” in the song “Suffragette City”, the audience was showered with these promotional posters of Bowie as Ziggy and I grabbed one. Later my friends and I waited in a crush of fans outside the stage door. Bowie emerged and signed my poster in pencil. The late Mick Ronson, his legendary guitarist and musical arranger, signed it also. I was very happy.”
(Behind the poster is an original vinyl copy of the Ziggy Stardust album.)
The free exhibition continues until December 20th and all items are for sale in aid of the Royal Academy Schools.
Pet Shop Boys today release “SMASH — The Singles 1985–2020” – the complete collection of their singles in chronological order.
Recent Pet Texts
More Dreamworld tour merchandise, including a windbreaker, a tee shirt and a water bottle, is now available in the official Pet Shop Boys store. Link to order below.
We are today launching a series of classic live performances of some of Pet Shop Boys’ most famous songs. Originally filmed during the 1991 “Performance” tour, “West End girls (Live in Birmingham)” is now available to watch on YouTube at the link below.
I loved visiting Charleston House in East Sussex today, both a refuge and a workplace of the Bloomsbury Group. Information at the link below. Neil x
Tickets for Pet Shop Boys’ Dreamworld shows in Santiago de Chile and Lima are now on sale at the links below.
I just enjoyed seeing Paul McCartney’s photographs of the view from within Beatlemania, recently rediscovered and now splendidly exhibited at the newly-reopened National Portrait Gallery in London. (Link below.) Neil
It looks like a giant bear is floating in the sky! Neil
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was today sentenced to a 19-year prison sentence in a trial reminiscent of the Soviet era. Navalny has already suffered poisoning and is still serving a nine-year prison sentence for his opposition activities which include producing a film about Putin’s corruption. Link to the film below.
There’s nothing like an English summer! Neil x