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”.
Bilingual is released.
One of the participants in the highly rated U.S. version of the TV show Big Brother proclaims these immortal words: ‘Pet Shop Boys! I love this band!’ Meanwhile, still touristing in Turkey, Chris and Neil take a boat trip on the Bosphorus.
The first in a series of live performances across Germany of the Boys’ Battleship Potemkin score takes place in Frankfurt.
After a two-week break, the Boys resume the European leg of their Fundamental Tour in Germany at the Schlossgarten Ludwigslust.
The second of two consecutive evenings of the Pandemonium Tour in New York City.
The Boys perform a sold-out concert this evening at The Sage in Gateshead (U.K.)—the first of two consecutive nights.
Precisely three years to the day since the start of their previous two-night stand at The Sage in Gateshead, the Pet Shop Boys perform the first of two consecutive nights there.