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’ debut album Please and a special 10-inch single version of ‘Love Comes Quickly’ are released simultaneously.
There’s a large turnout of fans this evening for a personal appearance by Chris and Neil at London’s HMV store to sign copies of their new CD Yes.
Following this evening’s performance of their ballet The Most Incredible Thing at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Chris and Neil take part in a public Q&A session and then attend a party given for the show’s ‘angels’ (people who had contributed to and/or invested in the production costs).
A two-day academic symposium on the Pet Shop Boys and their music begins today at the University of Edinburgh School of Art. Also, this evening, as part of this symposium, the Filmhouse in Edinburgh marks the thirtieth anniversary of the first PSB album, Please, by showing a selection of their music videos.