Chrissie Hynde has been working in the music industry for many decades now, and she recently revealed that there is something within her that she had been keeping from the public for a long time, which is guilt after the death of two of her bandmates on the Pretenders.
TRIGGER WARNING: this article contains topics surrounding death and drug use
The singer spoke with Record Collector Magazine, confirming that she indeed took drugs with her former bandmates James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon in the past and it made her feel guilty.
"I am guilty. It's not a big word if you are guilty. It's big if you feel guilty and you're not guilty," she told the outlet. (via Music-News)
Chrissie Hynde Wished She'd Done Better After Death of Bandmates
Later in the interview, the musician admitted that she didn't discourage the "drug-taking" that her bandmates did and she was even a part of it.
She clarified that although she was not their mother, it was a hardcore environment for them in the 70s to 80s as they were constantly on the road to perform in different venues.
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Hynde also noted that she was having problems with Pete Farndon, which led her to continue her bad habits.
"There's an element of wishing you'd done better. Since Pete and Jimmy died and because I've had to replace people, it's now kind of like a Pretenders tribute band, named The Pretenders," she added.
The Pretenders Original Members' Death
Hynde's bandmate Pete Farndon died in April 1983. His wife discovered him drowned in the bathtub of his home in London. He reportedly lost consciousness after being overdosed by heroin. He was only 30 years old at the time of his death.
Unfortunately, their other bandmate, James Honeyman-Scott, suffered from a heart failure due to cocaine overdose at his girlfriend's apartment just two days after Farndon passed away. He was only 25.
Many years have passed for the band and the only consistent member is Chrissie Hynde. The current lineup includes Nick Wilkinson on bass, James Walbourne on the guitar, Eric Heywood on the pedal steel guitar, and Carwyn Ellis on the keyboard.
Aside from the two late members mentioned above, the Pretenders also had history with other musicians who became a part of their group like Blaire Cunningham, T.M. Stevens, Johnny Marr, Adam Seymour, Robbie McIntosh, and many more.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
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