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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.

On this day

1989

The Boys set up their own management office, ending their professional relationship with Tom Watkins.

1990

BPI awards a U.K. platinum album to Behaviour.

1991

BPI awards a U.K. platinum album to Discography.

1994

They begin the Australian leg of their DiscoVery tour.

1996

They perform on the U.K. TV show TFI Friday.

2003

BBC Radio 2 airs the second half of its interview/popumentary Pet Shop Boys, Really.

2006

The Pet Shop Boys perform at the Arizona State Fair.

2007

Neil and Chris perform a brief set at a War Child benefit concert at Brixton Academy. They had been specifically invited to perform by Tim Rice-Oxley of the band Keane.

2010

Ultimate, the Pet Shop Boys’ third hits collection, is released today in the U.K. and various other countries (although it had been released in several countries a few days earlier).

2011

At Metropolis Studios in London, Neil goes through tapes in preparation for the re-mastering of tracks for their upcoming b‑sides collection Format.

2016

The Boys perform at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas.

2018

Neil’s book One Hundred Lyrics and a Poem is published in the U.K. today. Also, an online auction of ‘celebrity shoes’ begins today to benefit the charity Small Steps Project. Neil has donated a pair that he wore during a 2016 appearance by the Pet Shop Boys on The Graham Norton Show, during which they performed ‘The Pop Kids.’