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History

August 1983

Neil is sent to New York by Smash Hits to interview The Police. By this time the Pet Shop Boys are obsessed by a stream of hi energy records made by New York producer Bobby Orlando, known as Bobby O’. “I thought well, if I’ve got to go and see The Police play then I’m also going to have lunch with Bobby O’ ”. Neil and Bobby O share a cheeseburger and carrot cake at a restaurant called The Apple Jack on August 19th (two years to the day since Neil and Chris met) and Bobby O’, flatered by Neil’s compliments, suggests making a record with the Pet Shop Boys.

History

On this day

1986

‘Suburbia’ is released as a single.

1988

The Pet Shop Boys perform ‘Domino Dancing’ on Top of the Pops.

2008

Neil, who had never learned to drive and until now never had a driver’s license, passes the test for his license on his first attempt. He celebrates by going out for an afternoon drive all by himself.

2009

The Boys perform the first of two consecutive nights’ shows at San Francisco’s Warfield Theater.

2011

They make a surprise appearance as after-dinner entertainers at an exclusive white-tie gala at The Stud House, Hampton Court, London—a fundraiser for the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation, a charity devoted to the battle against childhood cancer. Neil and Chris perform ‘Go West’ and ‘West End Girls.’

2013

The Electric Tour comes to Philadelphia.

2015

It’s the last full day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Chris and Neil are spending it in the midst of a Southern California heat wave; they’re in Los Angeles recording tracks for their next album with producer Stuart Price.