Origin: London, England

Decades: 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, and 2000's

Over the years, the Pretenders became a vehicle for guitarist/vocalist Chrissie Hynde's songwriting, yet it was a full-fledged band when it was formed in the late '70s. With their initial records, the group crossed the bridge between punk/new wave and Top 40 pop more than any other band, recording a series of hard, spiky singles that were also melodic and immediately accessible. Hynde was an invigorating, sexy singer who bent the traditional male roles of rock & roll to her own liking, while guitarist James... Read More

Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Ramones, Sex Pistols, The Byrds, The Rolling Stones, MC5, Patti Smith, The Velvet Underground, The Who, The Kinks, New York Dolls and The Stooges

7 Year Bitch, Alanis Morissette, Faith and the Muse, Sonic Youth, The Breeders, Garbage, Liz Phair, Jale, Fiona Apple, Hole, Pixies, Tracy Bonham, Veruca Salt, Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Sleater-Kinney, The Divinyls and The Gits