When Chrissie Hynde moved from Ohio to London in 1973, she had a vague idea that she wanted to be a part of the thriving rock ‘n’ roll setting developing in the city.

Inspired by bands like the Rolling Stones, who were changing the very fabric of music, she wanted to go straight to the heart of the rock ‘n’ roll scene. But she had no idea that, before the decade was out, she would be the front woman of one of the most influential bands of the era.

In a time period where there weren’t many women playing in rock bands, much less leading them, Chrissie and a handful of contemporaries, like Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, were leading the charge.

With a string of hit singles from 1979 onward, Chrissie and her band, the Pretenders, proved that this girl definitely knows how to rock. They first rose to the top of the charts with the song “Brass in Pocket (I’m Special),” which is still one of their all-time greatest hits and most recognizable tunes.

With her incredible talent, husky vocals, and status as front woman of her band, Chrissie Hynde is truly a modern rock goddess! Listen to her sing with the Pretenders one year before the band really took off in the video below.

And if you love this glimpse into the life of an amazing woman and her equally fantastic band, please SHARE with anyone else who remembers the first time they heard Chrissie sing this song!
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