Pretenders

Pretenders are an English-American rock band formed in London in March 1978. The group was founded by Chrissie Hynde, an Ohio-born singer, guitarist and songwriter who became the band’s constant creative force through numerous lineup changes. The original quartet — Hynde, guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon and drummer Martin Chambers — fused punk energy with melodic pop-rock hooks, giving the band a sound that stood apart from both the raw punk scene and mainstream rock of the late 1970s.

The band’s self-titled debut album and early singles like «Brass in Pocket» established them as one of the defining acts of the era, blending tough guitar riffs with Hynde’s distinctive, sardonic vocal delivery. Tragedy struck early, with the deaths of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon in the early 1980s, yet Hynde and Chambers carried the band forward through the decade, scoring hits such as «Back on the Chain Gang», «Middle of the Road» and «2000 Miles».

Over the following decades Pretenders continued to release acclaimed albums and singles, including «Don’t Get Me Wrong» and the ballad «I’ll Stand by You», which became one of their most enduring songs. Hynde’s songwriting and voice remain the band’s throughline, and Pretenders are widely regarded as pioneers who helped bridge punk and mainstream rock radio.