An exhibition opens at the Royal Academy in Piccadilly, London, today on the theme of “Happiness”. Various famous people have donated objects which represent an idea of personal happiness. Neil Tennant has given a signed photograph of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust explaining:
“In June, 1972, I went to see David Bowie perform at the City Hall in Newcastle on his Ziggy Stardust tour. At the climactic moment of the concert when Bowie sang “Wham! Bam! Thank you ma’am!” in the song “Suffragette City”, the audience was showered with these promotional posters of Bowie as Ziggy and I grabbed one. Later my friends and I waited in a crush of fans outside the stage door. Bowie emerged and signed my poster in pencil. The late Mick Ronson, his legendary guitarist and musical arranger, signed it also. I was very happy.”
(Behind the poster is an original vinyl copy of the Ziggy Stardust album.)
The free exhibition continues until December 20th and all items are for sale in aid of the Royal Academy Schools.
Pet Shop Boys today release the expanded edition of their acclaimed new album, “Nonetheless”.
Recent Pet Texts
In the latest Official Physical Singles Chart in the UK, CD singles by Pet Shop Boys are at numbers 1, 4, 13, 20, 41 and 60! Link to chart below.
Last night, Pet Shop Boys and their long-term manager, Angela Becker, received the Artist & Manager Partnership Award “in recognition of their shared impact on music and culture” at the culmination of the Artist & Manager Awards in London. Thanks to the Featured Artists Coalition and the Music Managers Forum for the award and the nice evening! xx
Photo: Paul Hampartsoumian
The limited-edition tea set, which commemorates 40 years of PSB and includes a teapot, cups and saucers, a milk jug and a sugar bowl, starts shipping today and is available to order at the link below.
The bespoke fine bone china set was designed by Farrow with PSB and manufactured by Duchess China in Stoke-on-Trent, as part of the new “Pet Shop Boys since 1984” range — more products to be announced in due course.
Repression of dissent continues in Hong Kong. Brave people sentenced to jail. Full story at the link below.
Very happy to hear that Boy Harsher’s haunting remix of “New London boy” has been added to the BBC Radio 6 Music playlist.
It was great appearing on the TV institution that is “Strictly Come Dancing” yesterday on BBC TV! You can watch the performance at the You Tube link below. Thanks to choreographer Jason Gilkison, music producer Ian Masterson and the brilliant Strictly team and dancers for producing such an epic performance. BTW we’re on again tonight performing “All the young dudes”.
Photo: Guy Levy
