Episode #268 | 3.17.26
Chrissie Hynde: Punk at Ground Zero and the Birth of the Pretenders
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In this episode
Years spent at ground zero of UK punk. Years of almost-bands, near-misses, and stolen moments on the sidelines. Sex-shop violence, marriage schemes with the Sex Pistols, coin-studded belts, bicycle chains, and a woman who was always there as history was being made. Listen to find out how Chrissie Hynde survived the birth of punk, dens of squalor, and attacks by jilted lovers – only to stop time and finally answer back as the leader of The Pretenders.
Sources
Reckless: My Life as a Pretender, by Chrissie Hynde
England’s Dreaming: Anarchy, Sex Pistols, Punk Rock, and Beyond, by Jon Savage
Chrissie Hynde: 'I'm Just Telling My Story' (NPR)
Chrissie Hynde: ‘I pierced Johnny Rotten’s ear in a toilet with an earring and a bar of soap’ (The Guardian)
Debbie Harry, Dave Gahan And More On Chrissie Hynde: “She's just so cool…” (Mojo Magazine)
Mojo October 1994 - Pretenders 977 Radio (Mojo Magazine)
Sid Vicious: Little boy lost (The Guardian)
On This Day in 1977: Sid Vicious uses a bicycle chain very irresponsibly (Rhino)
Credits
Hosted by Jake Brennan.
Written by Zeth Lundy.
Copy edited by James Sullivan.
Mixed by Matt Beaudoin.
DISGRACELAND theme song, “Crenshaw Space Boogie,” written and produced by Jake Brennan. Performed by Jake Brennan, Bryce Kanzer, Jay Cannava, and Evan Kenney. Mixed and engineered by Adam Taylor.
*illustrations by Avi Spivak @avispivak