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”.
‘Always on My Mind’ debuts on the U.S. singles chart, beginning a 15-week run during which it peaks at #4.
The Boys begin work on ‘Electricity.’
Chris and Neil board a jet for a late-night flight from Chile to New Zealand for their first-ever concert in the latter country. Because they cross the International Date Line on the overnight trip, they end up arriving in New Zealand on March 28, ‘losing’ Tuesday the 27th in the process and, unwittingly, narrowly escaping disaster. (More about that on March 28.)
The Pet Shop Boys make their third appearance on Graham Norton’s U.K. TV show, guesting along with one of their most famous fans, David Walliams of Little Britain. After a brief comic interview segment, the Boys perform the current single, ‘Love etc.’
This evening is the final performance of the inaugural run of the Tennant/Lowe ballet The Most Incredible Thing at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
The Boys kick off a brief four-date concert tour of East Asia with their show this evening in Singapore.