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History

August 1983

Neil is sent to New York by Smash Hits to interview The Police. By this time the Pet Shop Boys are obsessed by a stream of hi energy records made by New York producer Bobby Orlando, known as Bobby O’. “I thought well, if I’ve got to go and see The Police play then I’m also going to have lunch with Bobby O’ ”. Neil and Bobby O share a cheeseburger and carrot cake at a restaurant called The Apple Jack on August 19th (two years to the day since Neil and Chris met) and Bobby O’, flatered by Neil’s compliments, suggests making a record with the Pet Shop Boys.

On this day

1988

‘What Have I Done to Deserve This?’ debuts on the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart (as opposed to the overall pop singles chart, on which the record is also charting), where it will eventually reach #14 to become the Boys’ biggest U.S. Adult Contemporary hit.

2008

Neil, who up to this point has never learned to drive, has his first driving lesson today.

2010

This evening The BRITs Hits 30 airs on U.K. television, replaying memorable performances from BRITs Awards shows over the past three decades. The Pet Shop Boys’ rendition of ‘Go West’ accompanied by a chorus of Welsh miners is among the segments featured. A brief interview with Chris and Neil is included as well. Afterward the public can vote online for their all-time favorite BRITs Awards performance.

2014

They note on their official website that they’re in the studio today working on their upcoming ‘Alan Turing project,’ A Man from the Future.

2015

An auction begins today on eBay to benefit the St. Mungo’s Broadway charity, which works to help homeless men and women in the United Kingdom. Among the celebrities who have provided hats to be auctioned off are Neil and Chris, who donated hats they wore onstage during their Electric Tour.

2020

It’s not surprising that Neil and Chris are making the media rounds to promote their new album Hotspot, now just one day from release. This morning they’re interviewed by Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 6’s The Breakfast Show.