Like so many bands from its era, nobody knew what to make of the Pretenders at the top of the ’80s. They were already buzzing, thanks to three hit singles in the U.K. and a magnetic frontwoman in Chrissie Hynde, who cast quite an image alongside her equally photogenic bandmates in leather and studs.
A transplanted American working in England with three local musicians, she was part punk, part power-pop and all spitfire. Their self-titled debut album contained muscle, smarts and the effortless ability to move toward and away from expectations from song to song. It signaled the band’s future, as you’ll see in the list below of Pretenders and Chrissie Hynde Albums Ranked.
They were popular on MTV, favored by critics and successful hitmakers during a time when the distinctions between punk, pop, new wave and post-punk were often blurred. Pretenders were all of this and more, but their cracks began to show early on.
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A natural leader, Hynde assumed control from the start, writing and singing most of the songs while leaving the others to sidemen roles. That, too, foreshadowed things to come. Following the deaths of bassist Pete Farndon and guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, Hynde and drummer Martin Chambers carried on with session musicians and others under the Pretenders’ name. Even Chambers came and went over the years.
Hynde has remained their only constant, as music and directions changed. While most records have been released under the Pretenders banner, Hynde has released a handful of solo projects. But they’re all part of her vision, one of the most singular and uncompromising in rock.
Pretenders and Chrissie Hynde Albums Ranked
From punk beginnings to middle-of-the-road balladry to Dylan covers.
Gallery Credit: Michael Gallucci
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