March 1995
On March 6th, ‘Various’, a collection of the Pet Shop Boys’ most recent videos, is released.
History
July 1995
On July 31st, the Pet Shop Boys release ‘Paninaro ‘95’, a new version of the song they first recorded in 1986. It is based upon the new arrangement Chris performed on the ‘Discovery’ tour, and Chris’ new, updated lyrics.
August 1995
On August 7th an album of Pet Shop Boys B‑sides is released. It is called ‘Alternative’ (a last minute change from the title which had always been saved for this record: ‘Besides’). It contains thirty songs in chronological order from ‘In the night’ to ‘Some speculation’, and the first copies of the CD and album have a hologram on the cover which shifts between two photographs, one of Neil, one of Chris, both in fencing masks. “They’re some of our favourite songs”, Neil explains, “and it just seemed like a nice idea to have them in one place”. On the same day, ‘Discovery’, a video of the Pet Shop Boys performing live in Rio de Janeiro, is released.
December 1995
On December 19th the Pet Shop Boys record a two hour radio programme, Merry Pet Shop Boys, for Radio One to broadcast on Christmas Eve. They play their favourite records from the previous year, beginning with Livin’ Joy’s ‘Dreamer’ and ending with the Sleaze Sisters with Vicki’s ‘Let’s Whip It Up’, and including songs by Edwyn Collins, Grace, The Original, The Passengers, Dubstar, Gusto, Billie Ray Martin, and two by Oasis. During the recording they drink champagne, and eat twiglets and crisps. Neil leaves the band once, and Chris explains to a Radio One producer why he likes the records that he likes: “It’s like art. You like it because you like it. You don’t know why. I I like any song with the word ‘love’ in it. I like any record with love in it because, as far as I’m concerned, right, love’s the only thing that matters”.
On this day
1991
The first (eponymously titled) album by Electronic is released. Two tracks feature one or both Boys: Neil co-wrote and sings on ‘Getting Away with It’—which doesn’t initially appear on the U.K. version, but does in other countries (it’s added to the U.K. version upon later re-release)—and both Neil and Chris co-wrote and perform on ‘The Patience of a Saint.’
1994
The Boys host a ‘Comic Relief’ charity special this evening on BBC Radio 1, airing music of their choice. They’re joined on the show by a number of popular British comedians.
2002
The Pet Shop Boys perform in Detroit.
2007
They perform at London’s Hammersmith Apollo.
2011
Take That’s reunion tour, with the Pet Shop Boys as ‘special guests,’ kicks off with the first of four nights at the Sunderland (U.K.) Stadium of Light. The Boys perform a 40-minute ten-song opening set of highlights from their Pandemonium Tour.
2015
They finish work on their song for Thilo Heinzmann’s wedding.
2016
At the International Music Summit in Ibiza, Neil and Chris are interviewed onstage by dance music DJ/executive Pete Tong.
2022
The Pet Shop Boys conclude their concert this evening in Newcastle by dedicating their performance of ‘Being Boring’ to Depeche Mode’s Andy Fletcher, who had died of natural causes the previous day.
- Facts collated by geowayne.com