Hynde’s bold and seductive vocals brought rock out of its traditional male posturing and propelled The Pretenders from scrappy outsiders to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members. She continued delivering classic rock hits like “Brass in Pocket” and “Middle of the Road,” even after experiencing personal tragedies of her own.
Hynde quickly replaced Kilmister with bassist Pete Farndon and guitarist James Honeyman-Scott; their clever arrangements and catchy riffs gave Hynde’s curled-lip attitude even greater impact, further cementing her status as one of rock music‘s dynamic vocalists.
Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde was an irreplaceable presence on the rock scene. Her distinctive voice could stutter bare syllables with animal intensity or harmonize into an alluring sweetness that made an impactful statement about who she was as an artist and human.
The band‘s debut album showcased this dynamic duality in songs like Brass in Pocket and Precious. It was both deep and rewarding, offering melodies, hooks, and infectious rhythms rarely found on debut albums.
The Pretenders’ eponymous first album
When The Pretenders made their debut with their cover of Ray Davies’ Stop Your Sobbing in 1978, it garnered some buzz – enough for bassist Pete Farndon and guitarist James Honeyman-Scott to form an entire band.
This debut album by Hynde showcased both rock swagger and pop tenderness, drawing upon elements of Sex Pistols, Patti Smith and perhaps some Beatles for inspiration.
The Pretenders’ second album
After the commercial and critical success of their eponymous debut album, The Pretenders were widely seen as one of the decade’s hottest bands. But 18 months of drug-fuelled turmoil and constant replacements could have rendered them impotent.
Instead, they produced this slick collection of midtempo rockers and ballads, led by Auerbach’s arrangements that push Hynde into new musical territory while never losing her edge or sense of purpose.
The Pretenders’ third album
After emerging unscathed from tragedy with newfound maturity, The Pretenders took another step forward with this 1984 album called Learning to Crawl. Boasting both midtempo rockers and ballads alike, Learning to Crawl proved itself worthy as their follow-up release from their debut.
Hynde used an improvised lineup, featuring guitarist Billy Bremner of Rockpile and bassist Tony Butler from Big Country as part of her recording crew for this album, and it proved an artistic triumph. It remains one of her career highlights to this day.
The Pretenders’ fourth album
With the departure of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon, Get Close took on more rock and roll sounds. Hynde took an increased role as composer, and T.M. Stevens and Blair Cunningham joined as bass guitarist and drummer respectively to complete its lineup.
James Walbourne – who had so beautifully contributed to 2020’s Hate for Sale – and I once more collaborated brilliantly. It proved an astounding success.
The Pretenders’ fifth album
With James Honeyman-Scott dead and Pete Farndon leaving, Hynde took steps to refocus her band‘s sound and enhance rock and roll elements of its music – creating an album which recalls their earlier efforts.
Hynde exudes both hope and despair with songs like “Losing My Sense of Taste” and “Promise of Love”. She seems both vulnerable and determined in her pursuit of purpose that’s uniquely her own.
The Pretenders’ sixth album
Hynde is truly one-of-a-kind, boasting an exceptional voice capable of being both smooth and elegant or raw and hard rocking. She and the band appear to be having great fun performing club shows as well as massive stadium gigs for Guns N’ Roses between gigs.
James Walbourne will join Chris Hill and Carwyn Ellis as bassists in their new lineup, who both previously appeared on Hate for Sale and Last of the Independents respectively. Martin Chambers (drummer from these shows) however will no longer be involved.
The Pretenders’ seventh album
Relentless is a marked departure from 2020’s Hate for Sale, wherein the band struggled to establish themselves as artists. James Walbourne’s twang-rock guitar solo on “Thumbelina” and the vibrant pop tune of “Let the Sun Come In” standout as hallmarks of strength on this record.
Martin Chambers has left the group, leaving Hynde to front Relentless along with musicians she refers to as the Pretenders Collective: Walbourne, Kris Sonne, Chris Hill and Dave Page. Relentless is an ambitious album full of highlights.
The Pretenders’ eighth album
Early 1980s Britain witnessed an amazing renaissance: Chrissie Hynde was at the helm, elevating messy English punk with earnest American romanticism and creating one of the greatest bands ever seen on British shores – The Pretenders.
On “Let the Sun Come In”, she shows that her love of rock & roll has not subsided; while in “I Think About You Daily”, her softer side comes through beautifully.
The Pretenders’ ninth album
Chrissie Hynde’s versatile vocal range can span from delicate and sublime to raw and grungy, and her twelveth album with The Pretenders, Relentless, offers both sides.
Losing My Sense of Taste builds upon the solid groundwork laid by 2020’s Hate for Sale, with guitarist James Walbourne and Hynde sounding more focused than ever, though their performances show a hint of weariness – and are not afraid to show it.