On August 19th, Neil and Chris meet by chance in an electronics shop on the Kings Road. Realizing they have a common interest in dance music, they begin to write together. Initially they call themselves West End; later they come up with the name Pet Shop Boys, a name derived from some friends who work in a pet shop in Ealing. "We thought it sounded like an English rap group".
On This Day
1999
The Pet Shop Boys take first place in the Top of the Pops viewers' poll for their performance on the show of 'I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Any More.'
2007
They perform at the 'Singfest' in Singapore—although technically it's the next day (August 9) since the start of their set is delayed by preceding acts and doesn't begin until shortly after midnight.
- Facts collated by geowayne.com