And so to get this rolling, I have to start with my own rock idol, Chrissie Hynde – the coolest female on the planet. Period. Chrissie is the only person, other than myself, that I ever wanted to be…. Actually, I did not want to have her life – I just wanted to have her persona. Coolness. Confidence. And one hell of a voice.
For those of you millenials out there who have not yet discovered the best female rock star, I urge you to listen to the debut album of The Pretenders. I fell in love with the Pretenders the first time I heard them on the radio. They had a sound all their own that made perfect sense to me – edgy, defiant, challenging and non-conformist. At times harsh and biting, at times a bit vulnerable, but never a victim. Each time I listen to “Precious,” Tattooed Love Boys,” “Mystery Achievement,” “Stop Your Sobbing,” I remember my own desire to break free of my middle-class, Norman Rockwell-esque upbringing. In fact, Pretenders music was a big factor in my relationship with my now-ex. I was just out of college and we met in a bar and immediately starting comparing musical interests, which were very similar. He had recently seen the Pretenders play an intimate venue – a show that I had wanted to attend but was unable to for one reason or another – and he shared the experience and the set list with me. That was it – I was hooked. The “Question Authority” bumper sticker on his car only reinforced my admiration.
I grew up in Cleveland, and although Chrissie left Ohio to pursue her musical career in England, she was still considered a local hero. I have seen her live several times through the years, starting in Boston in about 1984. Each performance – regardless of who the replacement band members were – was one that only the Pretenders could deliver. Never any doubt who was the leader of the ensemble, with Chrissie’s self-described “f— off attitude” always in evidence.
I was always interested in her back-story, too. Not just because she was a northeast Ohio native, but her relationship with Ray Davies also captured my attention. I am a Ray Davies fan as well, and I can fully understand her attraction to another artist who refused to play by the industry rules. (I will share my thoughts on Ray in a future post.)
I have seen Chrissie perform live a couple times in recent years, and I have to say, the girl has still got it! Ever my idol, not only for her extraordinary musical talent, but also for her unwavering and unapologetic ability to be true to herself and live on her terms. Thank you, Chrissie Hynde, from the bottom of my heart.
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