The Pretenders are an English Rock Band first formed in 1978.
American Singer and Songwriter Chrissie Hynde moved to England in the 1970′s and after appearing with a number of groups, was one of the founding members of The Pretenders in 1978.
The original lineup of the band included:
Chrissie Hynde – Vocals, Guitar
James Honeyman-Scott – Guitar, Keyboards
Pete Farndon – Bass
Martin Chambers – Drums
The band’s debut album was released in 1980.
1982 was not a good year for the band. Pete Farndon was fired from the band, and then two days later, James Honeyman-Scott died of cocaine-related heart failure. Farndon later drowned in 1983 after overdosing on heroin.
By 1984, The Pretenders consisted of Hynde, Chambers, and new members Robbie McIntosh (Guitar) and Malcolm Foster (Bass).
By 1985, Hynde, who was the recognized head of the band, fired both Chambers and Foster.
The group with Hynde at the helm would continue to stay intact, but had a revolving door of backing musicians behind Hynde. Hynde is the only member to stay with the band for the entire course of it’s career.
Martin Chambers is now back with the band, having returned in 1993, and is currently joined by James Walbourne (Guitar), Nick Wilkinson (Bass), and Eric Heywood (Pedal Steel Guitar).
The Pretenders have released 9 Studio Albums to date.
Their hits have included:
Brass in Pocket
Back on the Chain Gang
Middle of the Road
Time the Avenger
Show Me
Don’t get me Wrong
I’ll Stand by You
My city was gone
Message of Love
My Baby
Where has everybody gone?
and many others…
The Pretenders were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
They are still active and still tour the globe.
Never got to see her in concert. Maybe one day they’ll grace Columbus, or better yet grace wherever I end up OUTSIDE of Ohio!
By: John Erickson on November 12, 2011
at 7:04 pm
p.s. So when are you gonna do a post on the Wonder (woman) from Down Under, Kylie Minogue? (Or simply “K”, as we fans know her.)
By: John Erickson on November 12, 2011
at 7:05 pm
No-Hio – I guess Chrissie and the Boys will not be playing the Fresno Civic Center on their next tour?
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 12, 2011
at 7:06 pm
No-Hio – I have added her to the list
I used to watch her on an Australian Soap back when she was just a teenager…….. She still looks the same….. 
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 12, 2011
at 7:07 pm
I have GOT to get you pictures of the Fresno City Hall (Municipal HQ, I think they call it). It’s a brick building with two doors and no windows, one story tall. You know the “short buses” they put the “special” kids on? Well, the building is SMALLER than the space inside one of those “special” buses. (I kid thee not – ya fart, and the doors blow open.)
By: John Erickson on November 12, 2011
at 7:18 pm
Yeah – hotter than a volcano dipped in chili powder! (You HAVE seen the gold lame [la-may] shorty-shorts she wore in one of her early videos, that have been put in a museum, no?)
And to think we almost lost her a few years back to cancer – and she was on stage performing six months after the doctors gave her less than a 50-50 chance of survival. Absolutely amazing!
By: John Erickson on November 12, 2011
at 7:23 pm
No-Hio – Well…. I would bet the band is playing some pretty small venues by now…… there is always hope…..
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 12, 2011
at 7:36 pm
Ahhh, Chrissie may be my favorite female rocker of all time.
By: John on November 13, 2011
at 8:49 am
Ahh. Pretenders, they hold the distinction of being the band I’ve seen in concernt more than any other.. a whopping 5 times, going back to about 1983 when I was in College. Always a great show.
By: Sank on November 13, 2011
at 11:30 am
Sankster -You’re a lucky man. I have yet to see Chrissie in person…..
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 13, 2011
at 12:33 pm