In 1979 I wanted to be Chrissie Hynde. And I still do.
The Pretenders were one of the highlights of this year’s Glastonbury coverage on the BBC. Chrissie Hynde is still as cool as ever, and is still a role model.
As you can see, I fell in love with her the first time I saw the band: 20th July 1979.
PRETENDERS/ INTERVIEW
Eric's, Liverpool
Melody Maker, July 28, 1979
NEITHER of the bands were what I expected, the Pretenders surprising, Interview merely disappointing. I'd heard Interview were interesting, also that Virgin had put a lot of faith (and presumably money) into them. I couldn't, however, find anything to justify either statement — although a lot of people did, and a lot of people will like them very much.
The band began straightforwardly — catchy, pleasant, and old-fashioned. They made little more impact as they continued, and no amount of professionalism can make up for a lack of ideas. I found the audience more interesting, and the Pretenders more interesting still.
I wasn't expecting to like the Pretenders. Suspicions had been aroused by the excess of publicity surrounding the group, who apparently had nothing to distinguish them other than a flair for nostalgia and a female singer.
I've had a mental block — probably just envy — against bands fronted by women, and it's only since the advent of punk that this prejudice has been eroded. Something to do with the breaking down of stereotypes, I suppose, but since then there's been a diversity of female singers I can admire. Chrissie Hynde is the latest.
To tell the truth, she reminds me of Suzi Quatro, and it's not just the haircut. This is not an insult. There's the same appearance of vulnerability balanced with almost aggressive self-confidence, the ability to be one of the boys yet still attractive. It's matched by the command of different moods in her singing, sometimes sharp, jagged and spitting out the words, sometimes quavering and wistful, then soaring with fluidity, and power.
The band are equally versatile. There's little I can add to what Allan Jones has already written, but they certainly managed to jolt me out of my scepticism. From the first song they had more punch than I expected.
"Stop Your Sobbing", early in the set, is better than I remembered; the following few songs seeming rather long in comparison but including internal variety. The songs get more interesting — a touch of the Stones here, a bit of soul, some Sixties pop, slightly too much guitar heroics, a startling rendition of "The Wanderer" which I'd forgotten to expect, and, of course, the new single.
How could I have considered "Kid" an insipid exercise in nostalgia? It's nothing of the sort. It might sound more like a cover-version than their cover-versions, but there's nothing old-fashioned about it on stage. It's got punch, it's got those marvellous soaring vocals, and above all, it's a totally moving and joyful sound. I was converted.
A great review of what was indeed a fantastic gig. Although there were many fabulous gigs at Eric's this was well up there with the best of them!
Totally agree with everything you wrote about the Pretenders! I also wanted to be as cool as Chrissie (still do too!). I thoroughly enjoy your Substack articles & I often marvel at how many times I agree with you! If it were possible for a punk from New Jersey and a journalist from Liverpool to be related, I’d think we are!!!! Thanks for the great reads!!!