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
2001
Chris and Neil are working on ‘The Night I Fell in Love’ when they learn of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. They halt recording and, like much of the rest of the world, watch the ensuing news unfold on television.
2009
The Boys perform in Orlando—their third Florida show in a row.
2013
They arrive in Miami to begin the North American leg of their Electric Tour with a concert the following evening.
2014
Neil attends Rufus Wainwright’s concert this evening with the Britten Sinfonia at the BBC Proms in London. Rufus dedicates his performance of the song ‘Poses’ to Neil, thanking Neil for ‘believing’ in him.
2019
Neil and Chris appear as guests on Zoe Ball’s BBC Radio 2 show, during which they not only debut their new single—‘Dreamland,’ their long-awaited collaboration with Years & Years—but also confirm that their new studio album (on which it will appear) is scheduled for release on January 24, 2020, and that they will begin their ‘Dreamworld – The Greatest Hits Live’ tour the following May with a string of arena concerts in the U.K. Afterward they rehearse with their backing band for their upcoming Hyde Park concert.
- Facts collated by geowayne.com