The Pretenders are an English rock band formed in 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Farndon (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Martin Chambers (drums, backing vocals, percussion). The band was impaired by drug-related deaths and numerous subsequent personnel changes have taken place over the years, with Hynde as the sole continual member.