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Sweatin' to the oldies
By Shannon Yoshida
syoshida@mscd.edu

Legends never die, they just get wrinkles. The Pretenders, from left: Andy Hobson, Chrisse Hynde, Martin Chambers and Adam Seymour.

Supposedly legends never die.

Though several bands have proven this maxim untrue, in The Who’s case they at least haven’t stopped performing.

In the ’60s The Who gained a reputation for breaking new ground for controversial artists. The renowned band held violent concerts, displaying auto-destructive art and popularizing the power chord. Their fondness for destroying their instruments at the end of a show became the all-time cliché for rockers to come.

The London-originated group, led by singer Roger Daltrey, performs aggressive music with amusing lyrics and poppy beats. But expect something different with this latest tour. Guitarist Pete Townshend wanted a new sound for their first tour in 20 years. After the death of member John Entwistle, there is no need to play tracks from way back when, particularly since the CSI crime shows use Who songs during their opening credits.

Sharing the stage with the ’60s rebels is the ’80s force The Pretenders, who are still going forward with a powerful momentum. Their eighth album, Loose Screw, released in 2002, proved that lead singer Chrissie Hynde is still graceful at 55 years old. The band’s latest music has stayed true to its influential past, yet embraced the current musical sphere with energetic, lusty and sexy songs.

Now it’s time for Hynde to promote her wisdom and experience in a mix of tracks about being mature and “a mixed-up, fucked-up, singer of a song,” as she sings on the track “Complex Person.” The Pretenders’ current style has undoubtedly calmed down since the release of their first, self-titled album, but count on the same expressive rhythms, unfailing guitar mastery, and sweet and strong lyrics.

Legends get older, some stop performing and many unfortunately die, but they are who they are for a reason: No matter their fate, they put their mark on music and significantly influence future bands with their contributions. But in this age of one-hit wonders and rapidly evolving genres, the day of the legend might soon be gone. Don’t miss this opportunity to see two bands that deserve their legendary status.