Dainton Connell was killed in a car accident in Moscow in the early hours of this morning. He was in Moscow accompanying Chris Lowe who was planning to DJ at a friend’s nightclub there tonight. The friend driving him lost control of the car. There was no one else in the car.
Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant are “devastated” by this tragic news. They had known Dainton for almost 20 years, during which time he had worked for Pet Shop Boys as security and later as personal assistant. He was also a close friend.
“Dainton was a warm, kind, loveable friend, a huge Arsenal fan and a larger-than-life character, famous in North London and beyond. We are devastated by his sudden and tragic death and our thoughts and condolences are with his wife, Mandy, and their family.”
Dainton (also known as “The Bear”) accompanied Pet Shop Boys on their tours from 1989 to 2000. He can be seen in the videos for Pet Shop Boys’ singles, “Jealousy”, “So hard” and “Was it worth it?” as well as in the Somewhere concert film. We know that he was a familiar and friendly face to many PSB fans who encountered him over the years and that they will share in our grief and sorrow. Those who met him will never forget him.
Dainton Connell
Pet Shop Boys’ “Se a vida é (That’s the way life is)” was released as a single on this day 30 years ago. A video for the song was filmed at the Wet ‘n’ Wild theme park in Orlando, Florida, directed by photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber who also made the videos for “Being boring” and “I get along”.
Recent News
A special double feature of the PSB film “It Couldn’t Happen Here” and the centenary version of Sergei Eisenstein’s “Battleship Potemkin” with the Pet Shop Boys score will be shown on October 11 at the Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle.
Neil Tennant is coming to Durham Book Festival on Saturday 10 October to talk to Fiona Hill about how growing up in Newcastle shaped his life as a musician
Pet Shop Boys are about to play four dates in four days in Germany, starting in Mönchengladbach this Friday and continuing at Berlin’s Waldbühne on Saturday.
Pet Shop Boys are pleased to announce DJ support acts for their “Dreamworld” shows in Germany this summer.
Pet Shop Boys’ “Since 1984” range has just been updated with new items, including three “Suburbia” and “Leaving” T‑Shirts and a “Since 1984” sweatshirt.