The Pretenders

Some would argue that the Pretenders ceased to exist 25 years ago after the deaths of guitarist James Honeyman Scott and bassist Pete Farndon. Even Chrissie Hynde admits that recordings like “Brass in Pocket” are a far cry from the Pretenders’ recent Americana-tinged efforts. With a revolving backing crew, Hynde has remained an icon in the eyes of her fans, championing environmental causes and animal rights while penning gritty albums of Telecaster-endorsed rock and roll. Last year’s Break Up the Concrete exhibited a rockabilly influence and attempted to revive a bit of the punk energy that characterized the Pretenders’ early years. At 57 years old, Hynde is still the coolest chick in the casino.