An exhibition opens at the Royal Academy in Piccadilly, London, today on the theme of “Happiness”. Various famous people have donated objects which represent an idea of personal happiness. Neil Tennant has given a signed photograph of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust explaining:
“In June, 1972, I went to see David Bowie perform at the City Hall in Newcastle on his Ziggy Stardust tour. At the climactic moment of the concert when Bowie sang “Wham! Bam! Thank you ma’am!” in the song “Suffragette City”, the audience was showered with these promotional posters of Bowie as Ziggy and I grabbed one. Later my friends and I waited in a crush of fans outside the stage door. Bowie emerged and signed my poster in pencil. The late Mick Ronson, his legendary guitarist and musical arranger, signed it also. I was very happy.”
(Behind the poster is an original vinyl copy of the Ziggy Stardust album.)
The free exhibition continues until December 20th and all items are for sale in aid of the Royal Academy Schools.
Celebrating 40 years since Pet Shop Boys’ first worldwide hit “West End girls”, this new T‑shirt is part of the PSB “Since 1984” range, designed by Farrow.
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David Bowie died ten years ago today. In a special BBC 6 Music programme, Neil discusses Bowie including PSB’s collaboration with him on “Hallo Spaceboy”. The show is part of a series called “Bowie Forever”. Listen to it now on BBC Sounds.
Day off in Osaka before tomorrow’s show at the World Theatre in Kobe.
40 years ago, on Tuesday, January 7, 1986, “West End girls” hit number one in the UK singles chart and stayed there for two weeks. Neil and Chris performed the song in the number one slot on “Top of the Pops” two days later. It went on to hit the top spot in Canada, the USA, Finland, Norway and New Zealand and was the first of four PSB UK number one singles. In 2020 The Guardian newspaper elected it the greatest UK Number One single of all time.
Two new exclusive PSB “Dreamworld” Japan T‑shirts are now available online and in-store through Dover Street Market Ginza in Tokyo. All details at the link below. Pet Shop Boys perform in Tokyo tonight and in Kobe on Friday.
Neil is recovering well from the virus that led to PSB cancelling their festival show in Tokyo on Sunday. He and Chris are looking forward to tonight’s Dreamworld concert at the Tokyo Garden Theatre and to their show on Friday in Kobe.
Unfortunately Pet Shop Boys will not be able to perform at today’s Rockin’ On Sonic Festival in Tokyo as Neil Tennant is suffering from an acute gastrointestinal virus. Pet Shop Boys apologise for this unavoidable cancellation but look forward to their concerts at the Tokyo Garden Theatre in Tokyo on Tuesday and the World Memorial Hall in Kobe on Friday.
We are sad to hear that the distinguished British photographer Martin Parr, famous for his wryly distinctive images of everyday life, has died. In 2002 we asked him to direct the video for our song “London” and he made a short film which, in its combination of urban pathos and quirky London street life, was instantly recognisable as his work. We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Neil and Chris xx
Photo: New York Times