The Pretenders - Mystery Achievement '79

[relliott7]

This song is so killer!!!!!

[lebarosky]

James Honeyman Scott. One of the great players. Edge's entire technique is basically some of JHS's throwaways played slowly. Not to denigrate Edge's fantastic taste for understatement, but most of his stuff is just borrowed JHS.

[bcvirginia]

great live version of one of my faves...

[pinkysgrl]

James Honeyman Scott also died of a heart attack due to cocaine intolerance.

[bcancun123]

Great sound

[istaph]

had an apartment back in the early 80's. This song was cranked more than once at 1:00 on a saturday morning.And I mean cranked.

[mikednyny1984]

@istaph we must have lived across street because i did too tbone

[mikednyny1984]

@istaph i did too we must have lived across the street tbone

[scottysoxfan]

James Honeyman Scott, The man was a monster on guitar. He still sounds fresh and original today.

[06ruiz]

@scottysoxfan Hey, i recently looked up JHS, and it said he OD'd. I have a newspaper clipping from the early 80's that says he and his wife died when the small plane they were riding in crashed. My whole life i have believed thats how he died. I know Pete the bassist OD'd, but do you know about James?

[Revolution1117]

@06ruiz Yeah, drugs also took JHS.  Terrible loss of a great musician. :(

[stlyrface]

Aw, shake that ass baby.

[TheGardenFaerie]

Dayum they sound awesome live.

[ironskull57]

great video great guitar work thanks for posting

[waterfallsandrain]

James Honeyman-Scott. We still miss you after all this time. Thanks for the music, mate.

[Nigelxman]

@waterfallsandrain Erm. What about Pete Farndon? No love for him?

[waterfallsandrain]

@Nigelxman Yeah, there's love for him. Something about this video really makes me hone in on Jimmy's interaction with Chrissie is all.

[Harani66]

it's a mystery achievement that someone disiked this :-/

[FelixAtrox]

'Yeah, but...' When a good rock {or other} song comes on the 'radio', I get into it. I don't set about comparing it to something else. One is missing the major point of enjoying a good song. Get Zen already...

[Setanta2006]

Love it.

[tigerdragonbrand]

This is awesome! Thanks so much for posting this!

[NightBlazer37]

Awesome video!

[NightBlazer37]

Awesome video!

[hereto246]

Love the mic dropping to the floor and the Roadie running out to put it back on the stand at the beginning !

[STFUGTFO1]

All of you who are arguing Chrissie vs Pat Benatar are seriously the most RETARDED PEOPLE WHO EVER LIVED. They're both great, both badass, and both have their achievements (and their not-so-great music.) STFU already.

[cowboysfan782008]

@STFUGTFO1 You are quite right, and thank you so much for putting things in perspective, even though Benatar's music and lyric's are "GAY" and should be kept only in a time capsule for girls that were 13 years old in 1981.

[cowboysfan782008]

Like him or not, Grant was the guy most responsible for why bands now get the lions share of ticket revenue, and not promoters. He is the one that turned the tables on that deal, and part of the reason why him and Grahm never got along. The beating just added fuel to the fire.

[spacepatrolman]

@cowboysfan782008 I wouldnt be too sure of that grahame was makeing 80 million dollars a year before he died

[mc2NY]

A PERFECT RnR band....vibe, presence, image, great songwriting and musiciansship, with the sum greater than its parts. I was lucky enough to see the original line-up twice before it imploded. Thise first two albums still kill 30 years later.

[cowboysfan782008]

She was also with, and heavily influenced by a very, IMO "under-rated" Ray Davies, the backbone of the Kinks. The Pretenders first album came out in 1978. Before that you had Patty Smyth and lesser known acts like the girl band Joan Jett was in, which I can't remember the name of. You have to give her a lot of credit for her toughness and breaking through to mainstream the way she did. She still looks good, and I saw her with the B-52's about 10 yrs ago, & both could still kick ass!

[spacepatrolman]

@cowboysfan782008 The kinks were supposed to perform at the fillmore east but they got into a fight hitting each other over the head with drums and cymbals davies owes me a refund

[cowboysfan782008]

@spacepatrolman filmore east? I think I was in pre-school when that place closed. Did you ever see Zep?

[spacepatrolman]

@cowboysfan782008 yes at the filmore they were the opening act for iron butterfly and at the newport jazz festival

[cowboysfan782008]

@spacepatrolman You lived in an awesome time. The best my bro's and I got was going to the midnight movies in the early-mid 80's to see The Song Remains The Same, on the big screen. Funny you mention Zep opening for Iron Butterfly because I remember a quote from their manager, Peter Grant, from a book I read a long time ago, "We Blew That Clumsy Butterfly Right Off The Stage".

[spacepatrolman]

@cowboysfan782008 peter grant was a jerk he attacked one of bill grahmes stage hands with a pipe and was arrested and sued it was the other way around led zep was kinda sloppy live any group that has a lot of double tracked guitar parts is not going to be able to cover all those parts with one guitar player

[cowboysfan782008]

@spacepatrolman I read that they played at a Bill Grahm venue in 1977, and Peter Grant's 12 yr old son was entering a restricted area, back talked, and was slapped by one of Grahms guy's who didn't know he was peter's son. Grant, Bonham, and Richard Cole took the guy into a room, and beat the crap out of him. The suit was settled out of court. RE: Sloppy play, IMO everything I have seen prior to the 75' tour was pretty tight, but after that somewhat hit and miss. Jimmy's heroin use a factor.

[spacepatrolman]

@cowboysfan782008 thats not what bill grahme wrote in his autobiograph grants son was takeing name sighns off the trailers as souvenirs grahmes guy told him to wait until after the concert series was over grants son made up a story that he pushed him grant attacked him with a pipe was arested and sued ive seen led zep 2 times they were sloppy they are a load of hype plant was siting 2 rows in front of me at the newport jazz festival before they went on.

[cowboysfan782008]

@spacepatrolman Zep to me is the ultimate rock group, and IMO well deserving of the hype, and ALL of the footage I have seen from late 68' through the 73' tour was pretty damn tight. That said, much of the footage from 75', 77', and 79' that I have seen isn't quite the same. It's a matter of opinion, but I think that band had the whole package, and that each of the 4 members were masters of their craft.

[spacepatrolman]

@cowboysfan782008 i could only tolerate 2 albums by them and live forget it [that black and white movie of them in here is ok ]

[spacepatrolman]

@cowboysfan782008 The beat and bass line of this song reminds me of keep on running by the spencer davis group

[spacepatrolman]

@cowboysfan782008 ray davies and phil spector both started out with the intention of being jazz guitarists davies was influenced by tal farlow spector by barney kessel one commited a crime the other tried to prevent a crime [ the song flute thing by the blues project is based on a riff from a barney kessel record ] i cant understand what the hell words chrissie is singing in this but it zounds beautiful .

[innamorata40]

@cowboysfan782008 - Another dumbass response..... The Pretenders first album came out on 80' where as "Brass in Pocket" (from their first album) was released in 79"

[cowboysfan782008]

Any chick singer that belts out "changing tires, upstairs bro, I shot my mouth off and you show me what that holes for" has my vote!

[innamorata40]

@cowboysfan782008 - Chrissie doesn't belt....She mumbles her words. Benatar BELTS!

[cowboysfan782008]

@innamorata40 Did you dress and do your makeup like Pat Benatar in the early 80's? And if so, do you still?

[innamorata40]

@cowboysfan782008 - Benatar was far hotter than Chrissie. Never could understand a woman who tried to act like a man (with dry, chap lips!!).

[234helenrose]

The bassline drives me crazy.

[cowboysfan782008]

Funny, in regards to female singers, Quarterflash was the 1st concert I ever saw. America opened up for them at Knotts Berry Farm, in 1981.

[cowboysfan782008]

I can listen to The Pretender's first album and still dig it after all of these years. I was long over anything from pat benatar around 1982, as with joan jetts bad reputaion or her put another dime in the juke box baby. "Pop'y" and GAY!

[innamorata40]

@cowboysfan782008 As with Pat Benatar is the same (except for Benatar's first 3 albums) for The Pretenders.  After their first album, (which was a great album) the rest was basic commercial rock and nothing more!

[innamorata40]

@cowboysfan782008 - I can listen to Benatar's first three albums after all these years. Same with The Pretenders first. (Only their first) The rest .... same shit, different day.  However...truth be told, more people still prefer Benatar over Chrissie... Benatar would pack more people at a concert than Chrissie!

[RubHerSoul1]

@innamorata40 i dunno about that. Benatar's 1st record wasn't all that great. Crimes of Passion was her best. But Chrissie is still legendary. whereas Pat Benatar has kinda shrunk into smaller venues as an 80's throwback act. Even tho i still like her. You really oughtta go back and listen to the Pretenders 2nd lp again. It's not quite as good as the first but it still kicks ass. Learning to Crawl was great too especially after she buried two members of the original lineup

[innamorata40]

@RubHerSoul1 - "Pat has kinda shrunk into smaller venues as an 80's throwback act" Is Chrissie is selling out arenas? I don't think so. Everytime The Pretenders play in my city, they play the House of Blues. Is that considered a large arena? lol. BTW- The Pretenders are a 80's band as well as Benatar. They've had new music as with Benatar, but they are known for their 80's music and only there 80's music! Last year, Pat' show in my city was sold out to 8000 fans! Hmm.... Move on....

[cowboysfan782008]

@RubHerSoul1 I don't care what innamorata thinks. I think Chrissie is the shit and Benatars stuff is lame 80's chick music, in a class with the go go's. I don't consider Chrissie or the Pretenders to be in that class, nor do I consider Blondie to be.

[RubHerSoul1]

@cowboysfan782008 Yeah, my point was to innamorta that Chrissie's songwriting and her band was more important and belongs up there with the top echelon of rock royalty, whereas Pat benatar and even Blondie are the next tier down even though i'm a fan of their music as well. it's not hard to understand why she has Paul McCartney's phone number.

[innamorata40]

@RubHerSoul1 - If you have to brag about who's number you have, you might not have it at all. Those that brag are either insecure or need attention, those that have the real deal, don't need to advertise it. Get what I'm saying??? Nothing but dumbshits on this page!!

[RubHerSoul1]

@innamorata40 Brag about what? You know i like both artists, but all popularity, number ones or chart performance aside, Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders were more of an important force in rock music. They arrived in the middle of the Punk and New wave scene which was the last truly phenomenal scene in rock. Pat Benatar was great and had a shit hot band to boot, but her music isn't remembered as a force to be reckoned with. it was just great rock. nothing wrong with that either.

[innamorata40]

@RubHerSoul1 - Actually, Benatar has had more influence.... More women looked up to Benatar, therefore influence provailed... Benatar arrived the same year (79) as The Pretenders (your point?) Almost every article I have read about Benatar starts with "A force to be reckoned with" When Benatar came onto the scene in 79" She had a greater impact with greater sales. Who gives a shit what the RNRHOF says... Benatar has had more impact than The Pretenders.... Period!! I'm over it!

[innamorata40]

@cowboysfan782008 - Heartbreaker, My Clone sleeps Alone, Hell is for Children, Treat me Right, Fire and Ice, Promises in the Dark, The Victim, All Fired Up, etc... Ya those are chick songs.... Dumbshit, "Hell is for Children" in itself blows away anything the butch Chrissie's done! Ya, the Go's Go's could sing the above Benatar songs. What a fuckin' used Douche Bag!!!

[cowboysfan782008]

Great Post Mr.Born. Chrissie get's my vote for the hardest and most "real" female rocker

[innamorata40]

@cowboysfan782008 What's your meaning of real? Their sound or the fact that she walks, talks and spits like a man? Because she doesn't wear makeup? Now, I can't stand Madonna because she's overrated and commercial, but she's real.  It's who she is... Isn't that being real and true to yourself?

[cowboysfan782008]

@innamorata40 I don't discredit madanna. Male rockers "ruled the roost" in the 70's, and she came in and could hold her own, AND had good music to boot. Why don't you put another notch in your lipstick case.

[innamorata40]

@cowboysfan782008 I do discredit Madonna (musically) and any famous good Female rocker could hold their own, Chrissie wasn't the only one who could. Give credit where credit is due. Nothing new here. Their were famous female rockers before her as well. In this business, you have to hold your own. No brainer!

[innamorata40]

@cowboysfan782008 Lipstick case Hmmm...Back on the chain gang, thats where a dyke belongs. A dyke looking woman who should use lipstick. She's an ugly hag! I prefer sexy rockers who can sing!

[cowboysfan782008]

@innamorata40 You seem a bit "over the top" in your dislike for her, especially for someone our age. Did she pee in your soup? Chain gang I agree with, and I really only am "luke" on the band, about how I am with Blondie, Patty Smyth, but I happen to like what you think is dykish about her. I think she is tough, she was with Ray Davies whom I have tremendous respect for, and I like the 1st album and the lyrics.

[Timmybear]

@innamorata40 - noone SHOULD wear lipstick.  There is no moral imperative to do so, and your aesthetic preferences are (a) yours (b) just that, not laws and (c) not something any sensible man or woman should take into consideration when doing what they want to do. And Miss Hynde happens not to be a dyke. As to the rest, we're back into the realm of appearance and your aesthetics - they're not universal truths.

[innamorata40]

@Timmybear - I very familiar with Chrissie being straight. She does have two children, one from Ray Davies and the other from her former husband, Jim Kerr. I said she looked like a dyke. Nothing more nothing less... Very smart, you pay attention. Yes, this is just my opinion and nothing more! Doesn't take a scholar to figure this one out. And with respect to your post...it's just your opinion and not the universal truth. Two can play at this dumbshit!

[Timmybear]

@innamorata40 - Oh, I never claimed mine to be the universal truth. I don't think you did either. However, I'm getting tired of living in a world where the ruling class/dominant culture seems to think its ideas are 'correct' and beyond question, and that any dissent is criminal/terroristic/etc. :) I learned in kindergarten to ask why and never accept 'because' as an answer, and I've never unlearned it. :)

[Timmybear]

@innamorata40 - and now let's rock out. :)

[and31uk]

Kick Ass!! One and only - Thank you for the opportunity :)

[spacepatrolman]

@and31uk good singing good playeing good danceing chrissie has all the moves down

[lebarosky]

A hook that defined a generation of music.

[rockinroller7]

Dance Chrissie, dance!!!!!

Peace.

Rock

[spamsteveplease]

Excellent live video. I like that is all the original members of the group. I love how "raw" it sounds. Thanks!

[RFriedman22]

Nice post.Good live versions of this unique song are hard to find.