From the press statement released today by the BPI:
The UK’s recorded music association, The BPI, today unveiled the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Music Award. Pioneering British Dance duo, Pet Shop Boys, will be awarded with the revered trophy at The BRIT Awards with MasterCard 2009 on Wednesday 18 February.
A packed audience at Earls Court plus millions of viewers watching live on ITV1 will witness an iconic performance from the Pet Shop Boys when they take to The BRITs stage.
Ged Doherty, Chairman of The BRITs Committee said, “Since their first BRIT Award over 20 years ago, Neil and Chris have produced a fantastic body of work with songs that truly were the soundtrack to a whole generation’s lives. The Pet Shop Boys have since become one of the most influential groups of the modern era and are deserving recipients of the award.”
Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have sold 50 million records since they signed to Parlophone in 1985 with four No 1 singles, 22 top 10 hits and a staggering 39 top 30 singles making them one of the most successful pop duos ever.
This is a welcome return to The BRITs for the Pet Shop Boys who were awarded their first BRIT in 1987 winning Best British Single for ‘West End Girls’. The duo went on to pick up the coveted Best British Group Award in 1988 and performed their hit single ‘Go West’ with the accompaniment of a 200 piece Welsh male choir in 1994 while being lowered onto the stage by two huge cranes.
Pet Shop Boys will receive the prestigious award, a gift from the Council of the BPI, and perform live at The BRITs 2009 with MasterCard. Previous recipients of the Outstanding Contribution To Music Award include Paul McCartney, Oasis, U2, Paul Weller, Tom Jones, Sting, David Bowie, Eurythmics, The Beatles and The Who.
Brits 2009
Neil has been interviewed by Jake Shears on his “Queer The Music” podcast, talking about the lyrics and the making of the PSB song “It’s a sin”, Pet Shop Boys’ creative process, collaborators and much more. The season finale episode is out now and available at the link below.
Recent News
Pet Shop Boys today release the expanded edition of their acclaimed new album, “Nonetheless”.
A new studio recording of the “All the young dudes” / “West End girls” medley, performed by PSB and the Manchester Camerata, and produced by Stuart Price with strings arranged by Anne Dudley, is available to stream now at the link below. The medley was performed at the MTV EMAs last night. It’s accompanied by a different “orchestral” mix by Stuart Price.
Kicking off the weekend which will see Pet Shop Boys performing at the EMAs in Manchester, the official video for their new version of David Bowie’s “All the young dudes” is now available to watch on YouTube at the link below.
Pet Shop Boys’ new double A‑side single, “New London boy / All the young dudes”, and an accompanying remixes single, are out now on CD and digitally at the link below.
Pet Shop Boys are pleased to announce that they will be performing at this year’s MTV EMAs in Manchester, where they will also receive the inaugural “Pop Pioneer Award” celebrating their 40 years in pop music. They will be performing with a local orchestra, the Manchester Camerata.
Pet Shop Boys are happy to reveal a special PSB-themed tea set, which is available to order now at the link below.
The official video for Pet Shop Boys’ new single “Feel”, directed by acclaimed young British artist Corbin Shaw and Rawtape, is now available to watch on YouTube at the link below.