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
1963
British Secretary of War John Profumo submits his resignation following revelations that he had lied to the House of Commons about his affair with alleged prostitute Christine Keeler. This is a pivotal event in what soon came to be known as ‘The Profumo Affair,’ which more than a quarter-century later would serve as the basis for the film Scandal and its PSB-penned and ‑produced soundtrack number ‘Nothing Has Been Proved,’ sung by Dusty Springfield.
1986
The Pet Shop Boys perform ‘Opportunities’ on Top of the Pops.
1988
Neil and Chris perform at London’s Picadilly Theatre as part of Before the Act, an Anti-Clause 28 show that celebrates the artistic creations of gay men and lesbians. Not every performer on stage is gay, but every literary excerpt, dramatic piece, song, and composition on the program is avowedly written or composed by gay people. Therefore the Boys’ choice of songs to perform—their own compositions—serves, in essence, as an act of ‘coming out.’
2001
The Very Introspective, Actually PSB tribute disc is released.
2002
The Boys perform in Las Vegas.
2007
Their Fundamental Tour comes to the Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham, U.K.
2011
Neil and Chris have lunch with Johnny Marr, who had attended the previous night’s PSB/Take That show in Manchester.
2013
This evening the Boys bring their Electric Tour to Moscow.
2015
They begin a brief Summer 2015 ‘extension’ of the Electric Tour with a concert in Badajoz, Spain.
2016
The Boys are in Berlin for an appearance this evening on the German TV show Mensch Gottschalk.
2019
They continue work on ‘Angelic Thug’ and then develop its instrumental version, ‘Johnny’s Theme.’
2020
Neil records vocals for the song ‘Why Can’t I?’
2022
The Boys perform in Hamburg, Germany.
- Facts collated by geowayne.com