Neil Tennant

Neil Tennant (Neil Francis Tennant, b. 10 July 1954) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, music journalist and co-founder of the synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys, formed with Chris Lowe in 1981.

Before forming the group Tennant was a journalist for UK pop magazine Smash Hits, and was assistant editor for the magazine for a period in the mid-1980s. He allegedly left the job on 05 April 1985.

Tennant has also recorded with the duo Electronic, providing vocals for hits such as Getting Away With It and Disappointed. He has also recorded with and produced records for Liza Minnelli and Dusty Springfield.

In 2018 he published a book of Pet Shop Boys lyrics entitled One Hundred Lyrics and A Poem.

Tennant is openly homosexual, although did not reveal his sexuality publicly until 1994.

Smash Hits articles

 * 26 November 1981 - Tennant reviews debut New Order album Movement
 * 13 May 1982 - Yazoo feature
 * 19 August 1982 - Singles reviews, Single of the Fortnight, Rockers Revenge - Walking On Sunshine
 * 12 May 1983 - Singles reviews, SOTF C.O.D. - In the Bottle
 * 01 September 1983 - "May the Force Be With You" (The Police in New York): it was during this trip to NY that Tennant met up with Bobby O, who subsequently produced Pet Shop Boys' debut single West End Girls.
 * 27 October 1983 - "The Wide Angle" (p. 24)- Roddy Frame/Aztec Camera
 * 07 June 1984 - Singles reviews (p.10) Single of the Fortnight: Billy Idol - Eyes Without a Face
 * 26 April 1984 - Frankie Goes To Hollywood feature (p.10)
 * 17 January 1985 - The Janice Long Story (pp.32& 33)
 * 31 January 1985 - "Shout to the Top" - poignant interview with Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet
 * 28 February 1985 - The British Record Industry Awards feature (held on 11 February 1985)


 * 15 January 1986 - Tennant is subject of Personal File
 * 25 February 1987 - Smash Hits Editor for a Day!? cover star and (pp. 30, 31) - plus review of Half Man Half Biscuit LP (signed N.F. Tennant) (p.77)