The Pretenders are a British-American rock band from Hereford. Formed in 1978, the group originally consisted of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chrissie Hynde, lead guitarist and keyboardist James Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers. The band's current lineup includes Hynde and Chambers alongside bassist Nick Wilkinson (since 2005), lead guitarist James Walbourne, pedal steel guitarist Eric Heywood (both since 2008) and keyboardist Carwyn Ellis (since 2017).

History The Pretenders were formed in the spring of 1978 by Chrissie Hynde, James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon and Martin Chambers. After the release of Pretenders in 1980 and Pretenders II in 1981, Farndon was fired from the band on 14 June 1982 due to increasing problems with drug abuse, which had led to Honeyman-Scott claiming he would leave if the bassist was not dismissed. Only two days later, however, Honeyman-Scott died as a result of heart failure brought on by a cocaine overdose. Farndon himself would die by drowning in his bathtub after overdosing on heroin a year later. On 20 July, Hynde and Chambers began recording the single "Back on the Chain Gang", written in tribute to Honeyman-Scott, with session musicians Billy Bremner (lead guitar), Robbie McIntosh (rhythm guitar) and Tony Butler (bass). The single was released in October, and later featured on the 1984 album Learning to Crawl.

In February 1983, the Pretenders returned with McIntosh and bassist Malcolm Foster. Learning to Crawl was released in 1984, after which the band remained largely inactive for a year (save for an appearance at Live Aid) as Hynde married Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr and gave birth to daughter Yasmin. The group returned in early 1986 to record Get Close, but shortly after sessions began Chambers was fired by Hynde due to a deterioration in his drumming ability, which also led to Foster leaving. Chambers and Foster were replaced by Blair Cunningham and T. M. Stevens, respectively, who completed the album's recording and remained for its 1987 tour (keyboardist Bernie Worrell also joined at the same time). Shortly after beginning the tour, however, Hynde dismissed Stevens and Worrell and brought back Rupert Black (who had toured since Learning to Crawl) and Foster, who remained for the rest of the year. Johnny Marr replaced McIntosh in late 1987, before the band went on hiatus.

Hynde returned in 1990 with Packed!, which was credited to the Pretenders only to fulfil a contractual obligation – Hynde was the only credited band member on the album, although Cunningham performed drums on all eleven tracks. In 1993 the band contributed a Jimi Hendrix cover of Bold As Love for the Hendrix tribute album Stone Free. A new full lineup of the band was formed in 1993 when Hynde enlisted guitarist Adam Seymour and, later, bassist Andy Hobson and returning drummer Chambers for Last of the Independents, released in 1994. Zeben Jameson was added as touring keyboardist, and this lineup of the Pretenders remained constant for more than ten years. Hobson was replaced by Nick Wilkinson in 2005, and in 2008 Seymour was replaced by James Walbourne and pedal steel guitarist Eric Heywood, both of whom first featured on Break Up the Concrete.

In 2023, the band toured with a line-up of Hynde, Walbourne, and Drummer Kris Sonne.

Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsChrissie Hynde1978–presentall The Pretenders releasesJames Walbourne2008–presentall releases from Break Up the Concrete (2008) onwards except Alone (2016)Kris Sonne2023–presentRelentless (2023)David Antony Page2023- PresentBass Guitar . Backing vocalsRelentless (2023)

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsMartin Chambersall the Pretenders releases except Packed! (1990), Break Up the Concrete (2008), Alone (2016), and Relentless (2023)James Honeyman-Scott1978–1982 Pete Farndon1978–1982 Robbie McIntosh1982–1987Malcolm FosterBlair Cunningham1986–1993T. M. Stevens1986–1987 bassGet Close (1986)Johnny Marr1987lead guitar"The Windows of the World" (1988)Adam Seymour1993–2008all the Pretenders releases from Last of the Independents (1994) to Loose in L.A. (2003)Andy Hobson1993–2005Nick Wilkinson2005–2023all releases from Break Up the Concrete (2008) to Hate for Sale (2020)Eric Heywood2008–2023Carwyn Ellis2022–2023 Relentless (2023)

Touring ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsDetailsChris Thomas1983keyboardsAfter producing the band's debut album, Thomas played keyboards at both 1983 Pretenders shows.Rupert BlackBlack took over from Thomas after the release of Learning to Crawl from 1984, remaining until 1986.Bernie Worrell1987 Worrell performed on Get Close and became a part of the Pretenders touring lineup for subsequent shows.Zeben Jameson1994–2006Jameson was the Pretenders' touring keyboardist from their reformation in 1994 to his departure in 2006.

Session ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsGeoff Bryant French hornHenry LowthertrumpetJim WilsonChris MercersaxophoneFred Berk1978–1979bass guitarPretenders (1979)Gerry Mackelduff drums Nigel Pegrum Billy BremnerTony Butler1982–1983bass guitarLearning to Crawl (1984)Paul Carrack Andrew BodnarJohn McKenzie Chucho Merchán 1986bassGet Close (1986)Bruce Thomas Malcolm FosterCarlos Alomar percussion Bruce BrodyorganMel Gaynordrums Simon Phillips Steve Jordan Tommy Mandel synthesizerPatrick SeymourPaul WickensL. ShankarviolinTchad Blake1990guitar Packed! (1990)David RhodesMitchell Froom keyboardsDominic Miller Will MacGregorTony "Gad" Robinson Duane Delano Verh bass guitarTim Finnbacking vocalsMark HartTeo Miller Adey Wilson Tom KellyIan Stanley1994Last of the Independents (1994)J.F.T. Hood Jim Copley drums Andy Rourkebass guitar David PatonLondon Gospel Choir choir David Lordstring arrangementJeff Beck1999guitar ¡Viva El Amor! (1999)David Johansen vocals Andy Duncan Stephen HagueChuck NormanLindsay EdwardskeyboardsPreston HeymanpercussionJules Shearbacking vocalsJohn Metcalfe Louisa Fuller violinRichard Koster violinIvan McCready celloKevin Bacon 2001–2002bassLoose Screw (2002)Jonathan QuarmbykeyboardsColin Elliot percussionMark "Wiff" Smith Priscilla Jonesbacking vocalsMark Sheridan The Duke QuartetKick HornsbrassJim Keltner 2008Break Up the Concrete (2008)Dan Auerbach2016Alone (2016)Duane EddyguitarKenny VaughanRuss Pahlpedal steelDave Roe upright bassLeon Michels keyboardsRichard Swift

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesSpring 1978 – June 1982Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar James Honeyman-Scott – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Pete Farndon – bass, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocalsPretenders (1979) Extended Play (1981) Pretenders II (1981)June 1982 – February 1983Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, guitar Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Billy Bremner – lead guitar Robbie McIntosh – rhythm guitar Tony Butler – bass, backing vocals "Back on the Chain Gang" (1982)February 1983 – summer 1986Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Robbie McIntosh – lead guitar, backing vocals Malcolm Foster – bass, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Chris Thomas – keyboards Rupert Black – keyboards Learning to Crawl (1984) Get Close (1986) Summer 1986 – early 1987Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Robbie McIntosh – lead guitar, backing vocals T. M. Stevens – bass Blair Cunningham – drums, percussion, backing vocals Bernie Worrell – keyboards Get Close (1987) Early – fall 1987Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Robbie McIntosh – lead guitar, backing vocals Malcolm Foster – bass, backing vocals Blair Cunningham – drums, percussion, backing vocals Rupert Black – keyboards rowspan="2" Late 1987Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Johnny Marr – lead guitar Malcolm Foster – bass, backing vocals Blair Cunningham – drums, percussion, backing vocals Rupert Black – keyboards Late 1987 – late 1993Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, guitar Blair Cunningham – drums, percussion, backing vocalsPacked! (1990)Late 1993 – early 2005Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Adam Seymour – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Andy Hobson – bass, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Zeben Jameson – keyboards, backing vocals Last of the Independents (1994) The Isle of View (1995) ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) Loose Screw (2002)Early 2005 – early 2008Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Adam Seymour – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Nick Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Zeben Jameson – keyboards, backing vocals Early 2008 – presentChrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar James Walbourne – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Nick Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals Eric Heywood – pedal steel guitar, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Carwyn Ellis – keyboards, acoustic guitar Break Up the Concrete (2008) Alone (2016) Hate for Sale (2020) Relentless (2023)

References

External links The Pretenders official website Pretenders 977 Radio