Book The Pretenders

Over the years, the Pretenders became a vehicle for guitarist/vocalist Chrissie Hynde's songwriting, yet it was a full-fledged band when it was formed in the late '70s. With their initial records, the group crossed the bridge between punk/new wave and Top 40 pop more than any other band, recording a series of hard, spiky singles that were also melodic and immediately accessible. Hynde was an invigorating, sexy singer who bent the traditional male roles of rock & roll to her own liking, while guitarist James Honeyman-Scott created a sonic palette filled with suspended chords, effects pedals, and syncopated rhythms that proved remarkably influential over the next two decades.

Originally from Akron, OH, Hynde moved to England in the early '70s, when she was in her twenties. In 1978, Hynde formed the Pretenders, which eventually consisted of Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers. Later in the year, they recorded a version of Ray Davies' 'Stop Your Sobbing' produced by Nick Lowe. The single made it into the British Top 40 in early 1979. 'Kid' and 'Brass in Pocket,' the group's next two singles, also were successful. Their self-titled debut album was released in early 1980 and eventually climbed to number one in the U.K. The Pretenders were nearly as successful in America, with the album reaching the Top Ten and 'Brass in Pocket' reaching number 14. Following a spring 1981 EP, Extended Play, the group released their second album, Pretenders II. The new Pretenders released Learning to Crawl early in 1984 to positive reviews and commercial success.