**Documentary ‘Pretenders’ Chronicles Chrissie Hynde’s Journey through Triumph and Tragedy**
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The much-anticipated documentary ‘Pretenders’ made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on 13 September, shedding light on the life and career of frontwoman Chrissie Hynde and her iconic band. This film delves not only into the band’s rise to prominence but also the personal struggles and devastating losses that have shaped its trajectory.
Hynde, now 76 years old, recounts her journey from a middle-class upbringing in Akron, Ohio to the vibrant music scene of London in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During this period, she became the face of one of the world’s most beloved rock bands, the Pretenders. The documentary navigates her early relationships, including her connection with Ray Davies of The Kinks, and highlights the tragic deaths of pivotal band members Jimmy Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon, both of whom left an indelible mark on Hynde and the Pretenders.
Hynde reflects on her first encounter with Honeyman-Scott, who was introduced to the group by Farndon. “That was the guy I was looking for,” she confesses in the film, emphasising how instrumental Honeyman-Scott was to the band’s development. Yet, she notes his struggles with substance abuse, providing insight into the tumultuous life of a musician. “My impression when I met him was that he was already kind of a f—-d-up little speed freak. But my God he could play guitar,” she recalls, underlining the complexity of their relationship.
The Pretenders swiftly gained recognition following the release of their self-titled album in 1979, featuring hit singles like “Stop Your Sobbing” and “Brass in Pocket.” However, the band’s ascent was accompanied by a lifestyle marked by excess. Former manager Dave Hill shares a candid moment from Hynde’s life, recalling an incident where she ended up in a police cell after a night of drinking that escalated out of control.
As the band’s fame grew, Hynde found herself navigating complicated relationships within the group, especially as she became romantically involved with Davies. The film illuminates the discord that this caused, particularly during a confrontation in December 1981, when tension escalated between Honeyman-Scott and Davies. According to Hill, this discord stemmed from Davies’ uncomfortable presence, which many band members resented.
Amid these personal challenges, the documentary highlights Farndon’s battle with drug addiction, which ultimately led to his departure from the band in 1982. “The general consensus was that Pete was out of the band because of his behaviour,” Hynde explains, articulating the heartache of watching a friend deteriorate under the weight of addiction.
Tragically, only days after Farndon’s dismissal, Honeyman-Scott passed away from heart failure linked to cocaine use, leaving Hynde devastated. “I lost my right arm. We’d just fired Pete, and two days later, Jimmy’s dead,” she recalls, her grief palpable. Although Farndon attended Honeyman-Scott’s funeral, he ignored warnings about his own drug use, which would also ultimately claim his life in 1983 from a heroin overdose.
Following these devastating losses, Hynde felt a profound sense of duty to continue making music. She was determined to honour the memory of her bandmates, expressing that the thought of disbanding had never crossed her mind. “For Jimmy there wasn’t anything else. It was just about the music,” she states, revealing her commitment to the legacy they built together.
Committing to this legacy, Hynde penned the poignant song “Back on the Chain Gang” as a tribute to Honeyman-Scott, and welcomed new musicians into the fold. The Pretenders have since evolved through various line-ups, maintaining their stature in the music industry with the recent release of their album ‘Relentless’ in 2023.
The documentary draws on extensive interviews with Hynde, alongside archival footage and insights from notable figures such as Paul McCartney and Nick Lowe. Through candid storytelling, Hynde shares not just tales of loss and heartache but also resilience and the unyielding pursuit of creativity that defines her career.
Today, the Pretenders remain an enduring force in the rock scene, having been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Hynde, while reflecting on her past, conveys a sense of gratitude for the journey and a wish to keep the memories of her bandmates alive through their music. In her words, “It’s what I do,” encapsulating her unwavering dedication to the art form that shaped her life.