Pet Shop Boys

Pet Shop Boys are a pop music duo formed in London in 1981 by former music journalist Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe. Specialising in music with a strong electronic bass, their music has over the years encompassed many diverse musical styles ranging from synth-pop to ballads, dance, soundtracks and the theatrical, although largely ignoring the traditional 'rock' format. The group has also survived changes in musical trends over the decades, often going against the grain of the moment.

The duo are also characterised by a rage of strong visual images of themselves, often unexpected and in contrast to trends and fashion, favouring the avant-garde or flamboyant, in stark contrast to their deadpan and 'ordinary' selves. Album artwork and stage designs have also been an important part of their visual image.

Although considered prevalently a 'singles' band, Pet Shop Boys have to date released thirteen studio albums four remix albums, four soundtrack albums and two live albums. They have also collaborated with other artists, usually female vocalists, such as Dusty Springfield, Liza Minelli and Kylie Minogue. The Guinness Book of records lists the group as the most successful musical duo of all time.

No.1 singles

 * West End Girls (1985)
 * It's a Sin (1987)
 * Always on My Mind (1987)
 * Heart (1988)

1981-1985

 * 19 August 1981: Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe meet in an electronics store in London
 * 19 August 1983: Neil Tennant has lunch with producer Bobby O while in New York to interview The Police for Smash Hits.
 * April 1984: the group's first single, a version of West End Girls produced by Bobby O, is released.
 * March 1985: PSB cut contractual ties with Bobby O and sign to Parlophone.
 * 24 April 1985: Smash Hits announces that Tennant is leaving the magazine to pursue "pastures new", citing the leaving date as 05 April 1985. The magazine also predicted that his new group The Pet Shop boys would soon be "down the dumper" (a phrase invented partly by Tennant) and then he would soon be "crawling back on bended knees".
 * 28 October 1985: a new version of West End Girls is released.
 * 05 December 1985: TOTP debut with West End Girls at no.23 in the UK charts.

1986

 * 07 January 1986: After seven weeks in the UK Top 40 West End Girls is the first new no.1 of the year (see also TOTP 09 January 1986)