Chrissie Hynde

Chrissie Hynde

Christine Ellen Hynde, born on September 7, 1951, is an American-British musician known for her role as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band The Pretenders. She is a founding member of the band, which was formed in Hereford, England in 1978, alongside Pete Farndon, James Honeyman-Scott, and Martin Chambers. Hynde remains the only continuous member of the band, contributing to every studio album they've released.


Throughout her career, Hynde has not only been a driving force behind The Pretenders but has also collaborated with various other musicians, including Frank Sinatra, Cher, and UB40. In 2014, she ventured into a solo career by releasing her first solo album titled "Stockholm."
Hynde's contributions to music have earned her recognition, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 as a member of The Pretenders. Her distinctive voice, songwriting prowess, and influential presence have solidified her status as a prominent figure in the rock music scene.


Christine Ellen Hynde was born in Akron, Ohio, to a part-time secretary mother and a Yellow Pages manager father. She attended Firestone High School in Akron, though she later remarked on her disinterest in traditional high school activities. Hynde noted that she never attended dances, went on dates, or had steady relationships during her high school years. Instead, her passion lay in attending concerts, particularly in nearby Cleveland, where she would eagerly watch any band performing.


Reflecting on her teenage years, Hynde expressed admiration for musicians like Brian Jones and Iggy Pop, whose presence in the music world captured her imagination and overshadowed her interest in the boys around her. She found herself infatuated with these distant figures in bands, rather than forming close connections with those in her immediate surroundings. Her love for music and the allure of rock stars shaped her perspective and priorities during her formative years.


Christine Ellen Hynde's journey into the world of music and counterculture began with her fascination with hippie ideals, Eastern mysticism, and vegetarianism. While studying at Kent State University's Art School, she became involved with the band Sat. Sun. Mat., which included Mark Mothersbaugh, a future member of Devo. Hynde was present during the tragic events of the Kent State massacre in May 1970, an experience that deeply affected her as one of her friend's boyfriends was among the victims.


In May 1973, Hynde made the significant move to London, where she initially worked at an architectural firm due to her background in art. However, her passion for music led her to a position at the music magazine New Musical Express (NME), where she wrote articles but eventually left due to dissatisfaction. She then found employment at Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood's clothing store, Sex.


Hynde attempted to start bands both in France and Cleveland, Ohio, before returning to London in the midst of the emerging punk scene. She made various attempts to form bands and collaborated with different musicians, including the Sex Pistols. Despite her efforts, she faced challenges in establishing herself in the music scene.


In 1976, Hynde responded to an advertisement in Melody Maker and auditioned for the band that would become 999. Although she encountered setbacks, including being asked to leave a band before it became The Damned, Hynde's persistence eventually led to opportunities to tour with Mick Jones's band.


Throughout the late 1970s, Hynde's involvement with various bands and projects reflected her determination to establish herself as a musician. Despite facing obstacles and setbacks, her passion for music remained unwavering. She briefly joined the punk band the Moors Murderers but distanced herself from the group due to controversy surrounding its name.


In 1978, Christine Hynde took a significant step forward in her music career by creating a demo tape and presenting it to Dave Hill, the owner of Real Records label. Hill not only became her manager but also supported her by paying off the overdue rent for her rehearsal space in Covent Garden, London. He advised Hynde to take her time assembling a band.


During the spring of 1978, Hynde connected with bass guitarist Pete Farndon, and together they formed the core of what would become The Pretenders. They recruited James Honeyman-Scott on guitar and vocals, along with Martin Chambers on drums, vocals, and percussion. The name "The Pretenders" was inspired by the Sam Cooke rendition of The Platters' 1955 R&B hit "The Great Pretender."


The band quickly gained momentum, recording a demo tape featuring tracks like "Precious," "The Wait," and a cover of The Kinks' "Stop Your Sobbing." With the help of Hynde's friend Nick Lowe, they produced their debut single, "Stop Your Sobbing" backed with "The Wait," and performed their inaugural gig at a club in Paris. The single saw moderate success, peaking at No. 33 in the UK. They followed up with the release of "Kid" in July 1979, which achieved similar success.


In November 1979, The Pretenders released their breakthrough single "Brass in Pocket" in the UK, which soared to the top of the UK charts on January 19, 1980, coinciding with the release of their eponymous debut album. Both the single and the album achieved widespread chart success internationally.


In the 2022 biographical drama miniseries "Pistol," which explores the story of the Sex Pistols, Christine Hynde is portrayed by Sydney Chandler, shedding light on her pivotal role in the punk and rock music scenes of the late 1970s and beyond.

References

1.  "Happy 60th Birthday, Chrissie Hynde!". Starpulse.com. September 7, 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
2. a b "Chrissie Hynde: Improbable romance leads to new band". Los Angeles Daily News. August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2023. Hynde lived in the United States for 22 years and has now been in England for 37 years. "I am a British subject (she has dual citizenship), although I'm a big Yank and everything," she said.
3. a b Loder, K. "Pretenders", p. 13. Rolling Stone, May 29, 1980.
4. ^ Cornwell, Jane (August 21, 2010). "Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders: Present tense". The Australian. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
5. a b c d e Williams, Mark (May 28, 2014). "Chrissie Hynde: 'Malcolm McLaren wanted me to dress up like a guy'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
6. a b Hynde, Chrissie (2015). Reckless. Ebury Press. pp. 80–81. ISBN 9781785031441.
7. a b Hynde, Chrissie (October 25, 2015). "The trip that changed my life: Chrissie Hynde discovers London". CNN. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
8. ^ Price, Simon (June 10, 2014). "Talker of the Town: Chrissie Hynde Interviewed By Simon Price". The Quietus. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.