On August 19th, Neil and Chris meet by chance in an electronics shop on the Kings Road. Realizing they have a common interest in dance music, they begin to write together. Initially they call themselves West End; later they come up with the name Pet Shop Boys, a name derived from some friends who work in a pet shop in Ealing. “We thought it sounded like an English rap group”.
The Village People’s ‘Go West’—which of course will later be covered by the Pet Shop Boys—debuts on the U.S. singles chart.
The Boys perform in Toronto, Canada.
Chris and Neil are working in Germany on new music. They begin composing a song for the upcoming wedding of their friend artist Thilo Heinzmann. (This will eventually become ‘Wedding in Berlin.’) This afternoon, however, they take time to play tourist in the former ‘model socialist city’ of Eisenhüttenstadt in eastern Germany, guided by their friend and collaborator, composer/orchestrator Sven Helbig.
Chris posts a short message and photo on the official PSB website: ‘Nice to be back in Ibiza.’ He and Neil are there for the International Music Summit, where they are slated to appear as guest speakers.