Chris and I were sad to learn that our first manager Tom Watkins has died after being ill for several years. I first met Tom in 1975 and then a decade later he became our manager. He was a genuine larger-than-life personality — his company was called Massive Management — and we learned a lot together about the music business and had many good times. After Tom ceased to be our manager, I remained his friend for several years but for various reasons long-term friendship with Tom wasn’t possible. However Chris and I will always be grateful for his efforts on our behalf in the early days of our career and we have many memories of fun times with him back then. Today we sent flowers to his funeral with the message: “Thanks for five Massive years”. Neil x
Pet Shop Boys are pleased to announce a series of Dreamworld shows across Europe this summer.
Recent Pet Texts
A brand new “West End girls” T‑shirt designed by Farrow is now shipping as part of Pet Shop Boys’ “Since 1984” range. Available to order exclusively through the official PSB store.
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.