# List of the Pretenders band members

The Pretenders are a British-American rock band from Hereford. Formed in 1978, the group originally consisted of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Chrissie Hynde, lead guitarist and keyboardist James Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers. The band's current lineup includes Hynde and Chambers alongside bassist Nick Wilkinson (since 2005), lead guitarist James Walbourne, pedal steel guitarist Eric Heywood (both since 2008) and keyboardist Carwyn Ellis (since 2017).

## History

The Pretenders were formed in the spring of 1978 by Chrissie Hynde, James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon and Martin Chambers. After the release of Pretenders in 1980 and Pretenders II in 1981, Farndon was fired from the band on 14 June 1982 due to increasing problems with drug abuse, which had led to Honeyman-Scott claiming he would leave if the bassist was not dismissed. Only two days later, however, Honeyman-Scott died as a result of heart failure brought on by a cocaine overdose. Farndon himself would die by drowning in his bathtub after overdosing on heroin a year later. On 20 July, Hynde and Chambers began recording the single "Back on the Chain Gang", written in tribute to Honeyman-Scott, with session musicians Billy Bremner (lead guitar), Robbie McIntosh (rhythm guitar) and Tony Butler (bass). The single was released in October, and later featured on the 1984 album Learning to Crawl.
In February 1983, the Pretenders returned with McIntosh and bassist Malcolm Foster. Learning to Crawl was released in 1984, after which the band remained largely inactive for a year (save for an appearance at Live Aid) as Hynde married Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr and gave birth to daughter Yasmin. The group returned in early 1986 to record Get Close, but shortly after sessions began Chambers was fired by Hynde due to a deterioration in his drumming ability, which also led to Foster leaving. Chambers and Foster were replaced by Blair Cunningham and T. M. Stevens, respectively, who completed the album's recording and remained for its 1987 tour (keyboardist Bernie Worrell also joined at the same time). Shortly after beginning the tour, however, Hynde dismissed Stevens and Worrell and brought back Rupert Black (who had toured since Learning to Crawl) and Foster, who remained for the rest of the year. Johnny Marr replaced McIntosh in late 1987, before the band went on hiatus.
Hynde returned in 1990 with Packed!, which was credited to the Pretenders only to fulfil a contractual obligation – Hynde was the only credited band member on the album, although Cunningham performed drums on all eleven tracks. In 1993 the band contributed a Jimi Hendrix cover of Bold As Love for the Hendrix tribute album Stone Free. A new full lineup of the band was formed in 1993 when Hynde enlisted guitarist Adam Seymour and, later, bassist Andy Hobson and returning drummer Chambers for Last of the Independents, released in 1994. Zeben Jameson was added as touring keyboardist, and this lineup of the Pretenders remained constant for more than ten years. Hobson was replaced by Nick Wilkinson in 2005, and in 2008 Seymour was replaced by James Walbourne and pedal steel guitarist Eric Heywood, both of whom first featured on Break Up the Concrete.

## Members
### Current

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Chrissie Hynde | 1978–present | lead and backing vocalsrhythm guitarharmonica | all The Pretenders releases |
| Martin Chambers | 1978–19861993–present | drumspercussionbacking and occasional lead vocals | all the Pretenders releases except Packed! (1990), Break Up the Concrete (2008), Alone (2016), and Relentless (2023) |
| Nick Wilkinson | 2005–present | bassbacking vocals | all releases from Break Up the Concrete (2008) onwards, except Relentless (2023) |
| Eric Heywood | 2008–present | pedal steel guitarbacking vocals | all releases from Break Up the Concrete (2008) onwards, except Relentless (2023) |
| James Walbourne | 2008–present | lead guitarkeyboardsbacking vocals | all releases from Break Up the Concrete (2008) onwards |
| Carwyn Ellis | 2022–present (touring 2012, 2017–2021) | keyboardsacoustic guitarbacking vocals | Relentless (2023) |

### Former

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| James Honeyman-Scott | 1978–1982 (until his death) | lead guitarkeyboardsbacking vocals | Pretenders (1980)Extended Play (1981)Pretenders II (1981) |
| Pete Farndon | 1978–1982 (died 1983) | bassbacking vocals | Pretenders (1980)Extended Play (1981)Pretenders II (1981) |
| Robbie McIntosh | 1983–1987 | lead guitarbacking vocals | Learning to Crawl (1984)Get Close (1986)Last of the Independents (1994) – one track only |
| Malcolm Foster | 1983–19861987 | bassbacking vocals | Learning to Crawl (1984)Get Close (1986) – one track only |
| Blair Cunningham | 1986–1993 | drumsbacking vocalsoccasional percussion | Get Close (1986)Packed! (1990) |
| T. M. Stevens | 1986–1987 (died 2024) | bass | Get Close (1986) |
| Johnny Marr | 1987 | lead guitar | "The Windows of the World" (1988) |
| Adam Seymour | 1993–2008 | lead guitarkeyboardsbacking vocals | all the Pretenders releases from Last of the Independents (1994) to Loose in L.A. (2003) |
| Andy Hobson | 1993–2005 | bassbacking vocals | all the Pretenders releases from Last of the Independents (1994) to Loose in L.A. (2003) |

### Touring

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Details |
| Chris Thomas | 1983 | keyboards | After producing the band's debut album, Thomas played keyboards at both 1983 Pretenders shows. |
| Rupert Black | 1984–19861987 | keyboards | Black took over from Thomas after the release of Learning to Crawl from 1984, remaining until 1986. |
| Bernie Worrell | 1987 (died 2016) | keyboards | Worrell performed on Get Close and became a part of the Pretenders touring lineup for subsequent shows. |
| Zeben Jameson | 1994–2006 | keyboardspercussionbacking vocals | Jameson was the Pretenders' touring keyboardist from their reformation in 1994 to his departure in 2006. |

### Session

| Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
| Geoff Bryant | 1978–19791980–1981 | French horn | Pretenders (1979) Pretenders II (1981) |
| Henry Lowther | 1978–19791980–1981 | trumpet | Pretenders (1979) Pretenders II (1981) |
| Jim Wilson | 1978–19791980–1981 | trumpet | Pretenders (1979) Pretenders II (1981) |
| Chris Mercer | 1978–19791980–1981 | saxophone | Pretenders (1979) Pretenders II (1981) |
| Fred Berk | 1978–1979 | bass guitar | Pretenders (1979) |
| Gerry Mackelduff | 1978–1979 | drums | Pretenders (1979) |
| Nigel Pegrum | 1978–1979 | drums | Pretenders (1979) |
| Billy Bremner | 1982–19831990 | lead and rhythm guitarbacking vocals | Learning to Crawl (1984) Packed! (1990) |
| Tony Butler | 1982–1983 | bass guitar | Learning to Crawl (1984) |
| Paul Carrack | 1982–1983 | pianobacking vocals | Learning to Crawl (1984) |
| Andrew Bodnar | 1982–1983 | bass guitarbacking vocals | Learning to Crawl (1984) |
| John McKenzie | 19861990 | bass guitarbacking vocals | Get Close (1986) Packed! (1990) |
| Chucho Merchán | 1986 | bass | Get Close (1986) |
| Bruce Thomas | 1986 | bass | Get Close (1986) |
| Malcolm Foster | 1986 | bass | Get Close (1986) |
| Carlos Alomar | 1986 | percussion | Get Close (1986) |
| Bruce Brody | 1986 | organ | Get Close (1986) |
| Mel Gaynor | 1986 | drums | Get Close (1986) |
| Simon Phillips | 1986 | drums | Get Close (1986) |
| Steve Jordan | 1986 | drumspercussion | Get Close (1986) |
| Tommy Mandel | 1986 | synthesizer | Get Close (1986) |
| Patrick Seymour | 1986 | synthesizer | Get Close (1986) |
| Paul Wickens | 1986 | synthesizerpiano | Get Close (1986) |
| L. Shankar | 1986 | violin | Get Close (1986) |
| Tchad Blake | 1990 | guitar | Packed! (1990) |
| David Rhodes | 1990 | guitar | Packed! (1990) |
| Mitchell Froom | 1990 | keyboards | Packed! (1990) |
| Dominic Miller | 1990 | guitarbass guitarbacking vocals | Packed! (1990) |
| Will MacGregor | 1990 | bass guitarbacking vocals | Packed! (1990) |
| Tony "Gad" Robinson | 1990 | bass guitarbacking vocals | Packed! (1990) |
| Duane Delano Verh | 1990 | bass guitar | Packed! (1990) |
| Tim Finn | 1990 | backing vocals | Packed! (1990) |
| Mark Hart | 1990 | backing vocals | Packed! (1990) |
| Teo Miller | 1990 | backing vocals | Packed! (1990) |
| Adey Wilson | 1990 | backing vocals | Packed! (1990) |
| Tom Kelly | 199419992001–2002 | bass guitarpianoguitarbacking vocals | Last of the Independents (1994) ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) Loose Screw (2002) |
| Ian Stanley | 1994 | organspecial effectskeyboards | Last of the Independents (1994) |
| J.F.T. Hood | 1994 | drumsspecial effects | Last of the Independents (1994) |
| Jim Copley | 1994 | drums | Last of the Independents (1994) |
| Andy Rourke | 1994 | bass guitar | Last of the Independents (1994) |
| David Paton | 1994 | bass guitar | Last of the Independents (1994) |
| London Gospel Choir | 1994 | choir | Last of the Independents (1994) |
| David Lord | 1994 | string arrangement | Last of the Independents (1994) |
| Jeff Beck | 1999 | guitar | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| David Johansen | 1999 | vocals | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Andy Duncan | 1999 | percussionprogramming | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Stephen Hague | 1999 | keyboardsaccordion | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Chuck Norman | 1999 | keyboardsprogrammingpercussion | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Lindsay Edwards | 1999 | keyboards | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Preston Heyman | 1999 | percussion | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Jules Shear | 1999 | backing vocals | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| John Metcalfe | 1999 | string arrangementsviola | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Louisa Fuller | 1999 | violin | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Richard Koster | 1999 | violin | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Ivan McCready | 1999 | cello | ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) |
| Kevin Bacon | 2001–2002 | bass | Loose Screw (2002) |
| Jonathan Quarmby | 2001–2002 | keyboards | Loose Screw (2002) |
| Colin Elliot | 2001–2002 | percussion | Loose Screw (2002) |
| Mark "Wiff" Smith | 2001–2002 | percussion | Loose Screw (2002) |
| Priscilla Jones | 2001–2002 | backing vocals | Loose Screw (2002) |
| Mark Sheridan | 2001–2002 | backing vocals | Loose Screw (2002) |
| The Duke Quartet | 2001–2002 | stringsbrass | Loose Screw (2002) |
| Kick Horns | 2001–2002 | brass | Loose Screw (2002) |
| Jim Keltner | 2008 | drumsbacking vocals | Break Up the Concrete (2008) |
| Dan Auerbach | 2016 | guitarkeyboardsbacking vocals | Alone (2016) |
| Duane Eddy | 2016 | guitar | Alone (2016) |
| Kenny Vaughan | 2016 | guitar | Alone (2016) |
| Russ Pahl | 2016 | pedal steel | Alone (2016) |
| Dave Roe | 2016 | upright bass | Alone (2016) |
| Leon Michels | 2016 | keyboards | Alone (2016) |
| Richard Swift | 2016 | drumsguitarkeyboardsbacking vocals | Alone (2016) |

## Lineups

| Period | Members | Releases |
| Spring 1978 – June 1982 | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar James Honeyman-Scott – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Pete Farndon – bass, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals | Pretenders (1979) Extended Play (1981) Pretenders II (1981) |
| June 1982 – February 1983 | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, guitar Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Billy Bremner – lead guitar (session member) Robbie McIntosh – rhythm guitar (session member) Tony Butler – bass, backing vocals (session member) | "Back on the Chain Gang" (1982) |
| February 1983 – summer 1986 | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Robbie McIntosh – lead guitar, backing vocals Malcolm Foster – bass, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Chris Thomas – keyboards (1983 touring member) Rupert Black – keyboards (1984–1986 touring member) | Learning to Crawl (1984) Get Close (1986) – one track only |
| Summer 1986 – early 1987 | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Robbie McIntosh – lead guitar, backing vocals T. M. Stevens – bass Blair Cunningham – drums, percussion, backing vocals Bernie Worrell – keyboards (1987 touring member) | Get Close (1987) – remaining tracks |
| Early – fall 1987 | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Robbie McIntosh – lead guitar, backing vocals Malcolm Foster – bass, backing vocals Blair Cunningham – drums, percussion, backing vocals Rupert Black – keyboards (touring member) | none |
| Late 1987 | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Johnny Marr – lead guitar Malcolm Foster – bass, backing vocals Blair Cunningham – drums, percussion, backing vocals Rupert Black – keyboards (touring member) | none |
| Late 1987 – late 1993 | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, guitar Blair Cunningham – drums, percussion, backing vocals | Packed! (1990) |
| Late 1993 – early 2005 | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Adam Seymour – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Andy Hobson – bass, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Zeben Jameson – keyboards, backing vocals (touring member) | Last of the Independents (1994) The Isle of View (1995) ¡Viva El Amor! (1999) Loose Screw (2002) |
| Early 2005 – early 2008 | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Adam Seymour – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Nick Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Zeben Jameson – keyboards, backing vocals (touring member) | none |
| Early 2008 – present | Chrissie Hynde – lead vocals, rhythm guitar James Walbourne – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Nick Wilkinson – bass, backing vocals Eric Heywood – pedal steel guitar, backing vocals Martin Chambers – drums, percussion, backing vocals Carwyn Ellis – keyboards, acoustic guitar (touring member between 2017 and 2021) | Break Up the Concrete (2008) Alone (2016) Hate for Sale (2020) Relentless (2023) |