Chris Lowe
| Chris Lowe | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher Sean Lowe |
| Born |
4 October 1959 Blackpool, Lancashire, England |
| Genres | Synthpop, dance, IDM, pop, electropop, electronica |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, keyboardist |
| Instruments | Synthesizer, piano, electronic drums, vocals, keyboards, trombone, organ |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels | EMI, Parlophone, Spaghetti |
| Associated acts | Pet Shop Boys |
| Website |
www |
| Notable instruments | |
Christopher Sean "Chris" Lowe (born 4 October 1959[1]) is an English musician and songwriter, and co-founder of the synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys which he formed with Neil Tennant in 1981.
Biography
Early life
Lowe attended Arnold School,[2] an independent school in his home town of Blackpool, Lancashire. He also worked in the Solarium. While there, Lowe played trombone in a seven-piece dance band called One Under the Eight, that played old-time favourites like "Hello Dolly", "La Bamba" and "Moon River".[3] Lowe's grandfather had been a trombonist and was a member of comedy jazz troupe The Nitwits. Lowe also became a skilled pianist.
Education
Lowe studied architecture at the University of Liverpool from 1978 but never fully graduated as he stated various times on television appearances and the Life in Pop documentary due to the formation of the Pet Shop Boys. During a work placement in 1981 at a London architectural practice, he designed a staircase for an industrial estate in Milton Keynes. It was at this time that he met Neil Tennant in a hi-fi shop on the Kings Road in London.
Pet Shop Boys
Solo Appearances
In 1995, Lowe had a cameo in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.[4] His appearance was filmed whilst Pet Shop Boys were touring Australia.
In 1997, his flat was the subject of an in-depth feature in Elle Decoration magazine.
In 1993 he wrote and produced the track "Do the Right Thing" for the footballer Ian Wright (Lowe is a die-hard Arsenal F.C. fan).[5] The song featured backing vocals by the long-time Pet Shop Boys’ backing singer, Sylvia Mason-James, and the single featured remixes by Rollo.
In 2004, Lowe was commissioned to do music for an advertisement for the sunscreen brand Blockhead. The song ended up in a remixed version on a "Café Mambo" chill-out compilation.
He has also written the music for the song "Streets of Berlin", featured in the revival of Bent at the Trafalgar Studios in Whitehall in 2006.
In 2011, Lowe appeared as featured vocalist on Stop Modernists's cover version of the New Order song "Subculture". This was the first time Lowe had appeared as vocals on a non-Pet Shop Boys' project.[6]
Stage presence
After Pet Shop Boys began touring on a regular basis, Lowe became known for his behaviour of standing still while playing keyboards on stage.[7] In 1995, The Guardian commented that he was "possibly more famous for not doing anything than almost anyone else in the history of popular entertainment."[8]
References
- ↑ "Pet Shop Boys Official Site, History Section". Petshopboys.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "Arnold School website, Distinguished pupils". Arnoldschool.com. 1 June 2008. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "Pet Shop Boys Official Site, History Section". Petshopboys.co.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "Chris Lowe (Pet Shop Boys) in Neighbours". YouTube. 2 January 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
- ↑ "Absolutely Pet Shop Boys Unofficial web site – RADIO 2 CONCERT Literally 30". Petshopboys.net. 7 May 2006. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
- ↑ "Stop Modernists Official Facebook Page". Facebook.com. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
- ↑ Harrison, Andrew (April 2006), "The Pet Shop Boys talk for Britain", The Word (38), pp. 98–106
- ↑ Bracewell, Michael (15 July 1995), "Pop perfection", The Guardian, pp. T012
External links
- Official Pet Shop Boys Site
- Chris Lowe discography at Discogs
- Chris Lowe at the Internet Movie Database
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