The Pet Shop Boys are an iconic English synth-pop duo consisting of Neil Tennant (vocals, keyboards, guitar) and Chris Lowe (keyboards, vocals). Formed in London in 1981, the duo has become one of the most successful and influential acts in British music history, with a career spanning over four decades and a discography that includes 14 studio albums, four live albums, and numerous compilations, remixes, and singles.
Neil Tennant, born on 10 July 1954 in North Shields, England, met Chris Lowe, born on 4 October 1959 in Blackpool, Lancashire, in an electronics shop on King's Road in London in 1981. Tennant was a former editor at Smash Hits magazine, while Lowe was studying architecture at the University of Liverpool. They bonded over their shared love of electronic music and began writing songs together.
The duo's first single, "West End Girls," was released in 1984 but initially failed to make an impact. However, after being re-recorded and re-released in 1985, the song became a global hit, reaching number one in the UK, US, and several other countries. This success set the stage for the Pet Shop Boys' debut album, "Please," released in 1986, which showcased their unique blend of catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and electronic instrumentation.
Over the next few years, the Pet Shop Boys released a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, including "Actually" (1987), "Introspective" (1988), and "Behaviour" (1990). These albums spawned numerous hit singles, such as "It's a Sin," "Always on My Mind," "Heart," and "Being Boring," cementing the duo's status as one of the most prominent acts in the world of pop music.
Throughout their career, the Pet Shop Boys have been known for their intelligent, often witty and satirical lyrics that touch upon themes of love, politics, social issues, and popular culture. They have also been praised for their innovative approach to music production and their elaborate, theatrical live performances.
In addition to their own music, the Pet Shop Boys have collaborated with various artists, including Dusty Springfield, Liza Minnelli, David Bowie, and Robbie Williams. They have also ventured into other artistic fields, such as film (composing the soundtrack for the 1987 film "It Couldn't Happen Here"), musical theater (writing the musical "Closer to Heaven" in 2001), and ballet (creating a ballet based on Hans Christian Andersen's story "The Most Incredible Thing" in 2011).
The Pet Shop Boys have received numerous accolades throughout their career, including three Brit Awards, six Grammy nominations, and the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music in 2000. In 2017, they received the Godlike Genius Award at the NME Awards, recognizing their immense influence on British music and culture.
Now, in 2023, the Pet Shop Boys are set to release their 15th studio album, "Nonetheless." The album, produced by Stuart Price (known for his w...