When I was a teenager, I had a few female idols: Joan Jett and Cherie Currie (of The Runaways), Stevie Nicks (of Fleetwood Mac), Linda Ronstadt, and Chrissie Hynde (of The Pretenders).
I would have done just about anything to live that rock and roll life of theirs! The songs they belted out spoke to so many of my friends and me, and now I look forward to doing that in person when Chrissie Hynde comes to town with The Pretenders.
Originally a member of the English punk band Masters of the Backside – who evolved into The Damned – Hynde had an extremely colorful life before she formed The Pretenders in 1978. Her life has catapulted her to the status of living legend and an icon among icons.
In an interview with OC Music News, The Damned’s Captain Sensible said, “We knew she was destined for great things; she was that good.” He was absolutely correct and Hynde and The Pretenders were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
I confess I lived through the music of The Pretenders. “Brass in Pocket,” “Tattooed Love Boys,” “My Baby,” “Talk of the Town,”” Don’t Get Me Wrong,” “Message of Love,” “Show Me,” “Middle of the Road,” “Back on the Chain Gang,” “Stop Your Sobbing,” “2000 Miles” and “I’ll Stand By You” were the songs that shaped my musical soul.
Don‘t even get me started on the epic work Hynde did with UB40 and Moodswings!
In 2023, The Pretenders have a new album called “Relentless” which will drop next month. It is the band’s first album in nearly three years, and includes instant classics “Let the Sun Come In,” and “I Think About You Daily.”
So far, so good as the tunes are receiving excellent feedback from fans and music industry folk alike.
In addition to the new music, fans are head over heels excited to hear the band would hit the road for a North American tour supporting the album. They will also play dates opening for Guns N’ Roses.
SoCal locals can catch The Pretenders September 29th and October 1st at Ohana Fest, then roll up to Los Angeles and The Regent on October 2nd, then Pioneertown on October 4th at Pappy & Harriet’s.
No matter where you catch them, I can assure you, it will be the show of a lifetime!
