With 50 million records sold worldwide, it’s no wonder that the Guinness Book of World Records named them as the most successful duo in music history. Synth electro-pop pairing Pet Shop Boys from London, England formed in 1981 and since have acquired a staggering 42 Top 30 singles.
Seen as the antithesis to conventional pop stars at the time such as Wham and Culture Club, Neil Tennant (lead vocals and guitar) and Chris Lowe (vocals and synths) met through their mutual love of electronic dance music. They spent most of their formation years in their Camden flat penning future hits “Rent”, “West End Girls” and “It’s a Sin”. Initially using the band name West End based on their love for the West End culture, they eventually settled on the name Pet Shop Boys.
In 1986 they released their debut album “Please” which peaked at number three in the UK charts and certified platinum, featuring a re-recording the number one single “West End Girls”. With their avant-garde fashion sense and constantly going against the grain while superseding expectations led to the duo becoming fashion icons and significant figures in gay culture.
A large part of the success of Pet Shop Boys lies in the importance they place on visual presentations whilst championing originality. Having art directors such as Derek Jarman, David Alden and David Fielding on board to co-ordinate their stage shows, combining music with film and theatre and incorporating it into their live sets allows them to create the ultimate visual impact.
In 2013, Tennant and Lowe took the drastic decision to leave behind their long standing partnership with Parlophone Records after being with them for 28 years as they moved on to pastures new with Kobalt Label Services. Later that year they released their 12th studio album “Electric” which peaked in the UK charts at number three and featured a guest appearance from UK rapper Example on the track “Thursday”.
In their prolific career, Pet Shop Boys have accumulated a six Grammy awards, received the 2009 BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music as well as playing alongside Elton John, Lady Gaga, Erasure and David Bowie. Pet Shop Boys have since inception been pushing boundaries and producing masterpieces outlasting their four decade duration, whilst remaining current and inspirational.
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