Every Album, Every Song
The Pretenders proved revelatory, lashing hard rock to the sexy, sassy swagger of streetwise punk and catchy, chart-busting pop. Richard Butterworth appraises The Pretenders' turbulent, vital early years: from Chrissie's arrival in Britain, through the band's 1978 birth to 1990 and their fifth album. Enjoy the ride.

Dinner withDavid Bowie, kissing with Jackie Wilson, close encounters with Iggy Pop, RodStewart and Ron Wood. Not even 20, still less a rock goddess, but ChrissieHynde wasn't hanging around. The talented, charismatic writer-singer escapedOhio for Britain in 1973, hoping to form a rock'n'roll band. She befriendedjournalist Nick Kent, designer Vivienne Westwood, hustler Malcolm McLaren andfamous musicians from Nick Lowe to Lemmy. She wrote for The NME and narrowlyavoided becoming Mrs. Sid Vicious. Meeting Pete Farndon, James Honeyman-Scottand Martin Chambers, Chrissie finally realised her dream: The Pretenders, oneof the world's most exciting, enduring and best-loved rock groups.

The Pretenders proved revelatory, lashinghard rock to the sexy, sassy swagger of streetwise punk and catchy,chart-busting pop. 'Brass In Pocket' was a worldwide hit. America took to itsheart the ex-pat from the Heartlands, as Chrissie became an international starand a reluctant flagbearer for rock's sisterhood.