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Chrissie Hynde: Punk Icon's Guarded Story Unveiled
14 Sep
Summary
- Chrissie Hynde reluctant to discuss personal life in new documentary.
- Documentary explores Pretenders' early years and guitarist Honeyman-Scott's legacy.
- Hynde details childhood in Ohio and move to London before punk broke.
Chrissie Hynde, the formidable frontwoman of The Pretenders, remains a guarded figure, making the premiere of the documentary 'Pretenders' at TIFF notable. Director Jess Crowley spent three years securing Hynde's participation, capturing her rare candor about her life and the band's inception.
The film touches upon Hynde's upbringing in Akron, Ohio, her early exposure to rock and roll, and her presence at Kent State during the 1970 shootings. Her journey to London in 1973, just before the punk explosion, is also detailed, including her early writing for NME.
Focusing on the original lineup, the documentary revisits the formation of The Pretenders with guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and bassist Pete Farndon. Their dynamic sound, blending 1950s rock with British Invasion pop, created timeless hits. The film acknowledges the band's successes and the subsequent tragedies.
While the documentary briefly covers events after the deaths of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon, its core remains the original members. Hynde's candidness, though interspersed with her characteristic no-nonsense demeanor, offers a compelling look at her musical legacy.
