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 Pet Shop Boys perform in Chicago.
‘Liberation’ is released as a single.
They mix the ‘slow version’ of ‘Closer to Heaven’ that will later be released on the Telegraph promo disc.
‘Flamboyant’ enters the U.K. singles chart at #12.
Neil and Chris have breakfast with their manager and discuss asking Trevor Horn to produce their next album, which will become Fundamental. Later they begin writing ‘Minimal.’
Continuing the Australian leg of the Fundamental Tour, the Boys perform in Adelaide.
The Pet Shop Boys’ official website announces that they will appear as ‘special guests’ on the upcoming summer Take That reunion tour of the U.K., Ireland, and continental Europe. Meanwhile, in the studio, Neil and Chris continue working (with Pete Gleadall) on their song ‘Vocal’ and their remix of ‘The Colour of a Man.’