The Pretenders

United Kingdom, 1978–now

Band formed in 1978 by the American singer and guitarist Chrissie Hynde in England, combining British Invasion melody with punk-era attack on 'Brass in Pocket' and 'Back on the Chain Gang'.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced The Pretenders and 0 artists The Pretenders influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced The Pretenders?

• The Kinks — Chrissie Hynde was a devoted Kinks fan — the Pretenders' first single was a cover of the Kinks' 'Stop Your Sobbing', and Ray Davies's melodicism runs through her writing.
• The Rolling Stones — The Rolling Stones were among the British Invasion bands Hynde idolised, feeding the swagger in the Pretenders' rock.
• The Beatles — The Beatles were part of the British Invasion melodic foundation Hynde grew up on.