Artist

Pretenders cloak a tender rock ’n’ roll heart with a snarling punk attitude. Led by the indomitable Akron, OH-born vocalist Chrissie Hynde, the band formed in London in 1978, debuting with a Nick Lowe-produced cover of The Kinks’ “Stop Your Sobbing.” A similarly melodic pop vibe permeated the 1980 hit “Brass In Pocket,” although many early Pretenders songs such as “Precious” and “Tattooed Love Boys” possessed a far more biting edge. The group overcame several tragedies, including the 1982 death of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, and spent the rest of the decade and on into the ’90s releasing a mix of barnstorming rockers (“Middle of the Road,” “Night In My Veins”) and torchy fare (“2000 Miles,” “I’ll Stand By You”). Although the band’s lineup has evolved over the years, Hynde has continued to tour and release music as Pretenders—all the while maintaining the same independent spirit and no-holds-barred approach as she did when the group started.