The Pretenders on Austin City Limits "Middle of the Road"

The Pretenders make their Austin City Limits debut. Enjoy their classic hit "Middle of the Road."
About the Episode
Enjoy a career-spanning set from The Pretenders. The legendary rock & roll band performs songs from their latest album Alone alongside beloved classics “Back On the Chain Gang,” “Brass in Pocket” and “Middle of the Road.”
About Austin City Limits
ACL offers viewers unparalleled access to featured acts in an intimate setting that provides a platform for artists to deliver inspired, memorable, full-length performances. The program is taped live before a concert audience from The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL is the longest-running music series in American television history and remains the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. Since its inception, the groundbreaking music series has become an institution that's helped secure Austin's reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The historic KLRU Studio 6A, home to 36 years of ACL concerts, has been designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark. In 2011, ACL moved to the new venue ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL received a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012.
ACL is produced by KLRU-TV and funding is provided in part by Dell, the Austin Convention Center Department, Shiner Beers and HomeAway.com. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Austin City Limits. Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at acltv.com.

[@joydelong7979]

It's March, 2024 and my 24 yr old son is jamming to this with me. Voluntarily.

[@joegreatmusicfirstweir9646]

Chrissie Holland The pretenders one of the greatest Chris you got a beautiful voice 🎶🎵🎸🎵🎶🎶🎸

[@joegreatmusicfirstweir9646]

In the middle of the road

[@PanchoBotas]

​@joegreatmusicfirstweir9646 Chrissie Hynde, my brother

[@josebezerradeoliveira4021]

Pretenders é eterno!

[@jamescfleck]

Awesome! I love it!

[@markh5892]

She is friggen 68 years old and her band mates are pretty much up there with her. I’m 63 and I wish I could be as badass cool as they are. True Rock & Roll man.

[@8acenelson]

Chrissie Hynde is one of the handful of real geniuses of rock. Nobody else is so bright and dark at the same time, in the very same moment. She makes you soar but you ain't wearing rose colored glasses when you do. Her voice, her music, her lyrics. Pure artistry.

[@kevinb3812]

I love your description of Chrissie!

[@8acenelson]

@@kevinb3812 Thanks. She's appreciated but I think underrated. Maybe because she's woman and her genre is rock. In any event, I see her a great artist. Nice to know I'm not alone!

[@BeeBumper]

One thing I never forgot her saying was "the day I can't walk down the street being me it is over, I will end it because I refuse to be a celebrity" . Paraphrased but the gyst is there

[@barrygreenstein8383]

I couldn't agree with you more. She is one of the all-time greats!

[@geraldlynn1827]

This song takes me back to the girl I should have married. She was jealous of Chrissie. Can u blame her?

[@brianvanwagner4802]

I live in Seattle, one night my friend and I where at a mariners game and on the way home we drove past the Moore theater and the pretenders we're playing. We paid like 30 bucks each. One of the best shows I've ever seen. And I've seen a ton of shows.

[@sunnyjim1355]

Seattle! Yeah, I believe you. 🤣

[@bonzorip6162]

@@sunnyjim1355 June, 1994. Great show. And it was $15.00

[@sprthrwwychnnl73]

Did the Mariners win though?

[@brianvanwagner4802]

Don't remember it was 20 years ago.

[@johnman3272]

What year?

[@neilphelan145]

Real musicians playing real instruments! No digital crap here. PURE TALENT at its best!!!!!

[@joselitogonzales1063]

The first album "Pretenders" introduced me to Chrissie. 4 decades later I still have a crush on her 😅

[@user-xi1fm8gz6s]

I’m 56, I remember when this came out. But, my ‘scene’ wasn’t supposed to like the lead girl rock bands. It was the Ramones, Idol, Judas Priest (before the world knew what’s his name was gay), Ozzy, etc. I was hooked by her voice then and now.

[@houdini-ng9yv]

I'm right there with ya!

[@davehowes5162]

Always loved the Pretenders. And Chrissy floats my boat. Probably not alone in that. 😆

[@demanisrecks2049]

Chrissie thanks for staying alive!!!!!

[@CreekyGuy]

She was awesome in the day, and she's lost none of it. She's still got plenty of brass in her pocket. Thank you for posting.

[@kenster007]

got bottle as they say in the UK

[@tommy--k]

Chrissie Hynde, the definition of cool. Pretenders, great rock band!

[@sunnyjim1355]

XD

[@rhllnm]

Also the definition of gorgeous.

[@stevenpivornik9982]

Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Patti Smith..........all those women rocking the world forever. Thank you.

[@alandesgrange9703]

Martin, the drummer, killing it. The guy still has flare!

[@cliftoncaskey5696]

And flair, too! 😀

[@DigitalAndInnovation]

One of those bands that is just pure talent, they sound as good as they ever did and this is LIVE

[@yes2everything]

Learning To Crawl is one of the most under rated rock n' roll albums of all time, and Chrissie Hynde is, was, and always will be the bomb.

[@larryklawiter9168]

Absolutely a classic!

[@TheLadymiss22]

@@larryklawiter9168 💯%

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

It wasn't under rated. It was well loved.

[@Tessmage_Tessera]

Underrated by who..? Dumbass Millennials who weren't even born yet? That album was a huge success.

[@blackmore4]

Great songs but they'd have been even better with Honeyman-Scott and Farndon.

[@annebailey6261]

Middle of the Road belongs in the rock and roll pantheon.

[@TheMisterMonkeyman]

Chrissie Hynde...still one of the coolest f-ing rockers ever!! Peace.

[@badmonkey2222]

🤘

[@noeldabreo6130]

always will be ,ya

[@TheMisterMonkeyman]

@Mark Schultz Try some f-ing de-caf bro. Peace.

[@TheMisterMonkeyman]

@Mark Schultz Seriously?!? Aww, that's kinda cute. Ok now, make sure you get Mommy's phone back in her purse before she finds out you're playing with it without her permission. Hopefully school will open up again soon and you'll be able to play with your friends again. Hang in there. Bye-bye. Peace.

[@TheMisterMonkeyman]

​@Mark Schultz Ouch. That's the best you got?!? Pathetic. Pretty weak for someone that got all aggressive and had to resort to a personal attack because they were soo offended by a "representation" of a word in a comment on a video on KZbin. If it really offended you so much you should have been adult/intelligent enough to discuss it, maybe even make me see your point. But alas no...you had to throw a hissy fit like a 2 year old wanting his blankie. To quote you "...heard it before, it ain't impressive". You started this, and now I'm done with it. Now I'm gonna forget all about you. Peace.

[@jonesy2111]

The thing about Chrissy Hyndes/Pretenders music is that it is timeless- some of the best songs that have come from the 'new wave' movement but transcend all the fads and categories. Whenever I happen to hear a song on the radio by them it sounds very distinctive and just have this certain appeal and quality that is so rare

[@kirby711]

You said it my man

[@a2ndopynyn]

Their songs have definitely stood the test of time.

[@benbarclay5546]

@@a2ndopynyn Her songs.

[@a2ndopynyn]

@@benbarclay5546 They play the songs as a band. Lennon & McCartney wrote most of their band's songs, but we just say "Beatles' songs."

[@soyounoat]

They were pegged by the pop culture peggers as "new wave/ post punk" or whatever, but they are Rock-n-Roll of their own kind. Less than halfway into the first bar of a Pretenders song and you know it's them.

[@harrellkerkhoff8054]

Why can't today's music be like this? Nobody in 2020 comes close. Rock is dead.

[@kirby711]

Rock will never die please don't say that Just listen to the band's from 70's and 80's and the great music is always in the universe. 🎆

[@JamesM1868]

Not only my favorite Pretenders song, one of my favorite songs ever. Just the coolest band - so influential on so many levels. As many times as I've heard this song, it never gets old. And they sound as good here as they ever did.

[@davidwinthrop7077]

Martin Chambers one of the most underrated drummers out there.

[@josephgurzynski1053]

Yeh. Even Chrissie sacked him! At least she took him back.

[@richsackett3423]

Maybe, but he should have been put out to pasture long before this. That was pathetically bad drumming - all of it.

[@TheVagolfer]

@@richsackett3423 As a drummer in a Rock band, I agree. He really sucks here.

[@richsackett3423]

@@TheVagolfer As a bass player in a rock band, I appreciate your opinion.

[@jameschalfant7567]

@@richsackett3423 i agree , that was horrible 😳

[@chipper442]

I’ve had a huge crush on this Lady since the age of 14, 40 years later and it’s still going strong.

[@bigdogpete43]

One of the all time best driving songs.

[@JasonLumbatis]

Chrissie was always to me more sensual and sultry and more real than say a Joan Jett or a Pat Benatar. That being said, the Pretenders are one of the best bands ever. Representing Ohio with the Rubber City Mama at the forefront 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@benbarclay5546]

Exactly. She just stands there, in an old pair of jeans, and she's not "a" goddess, she's "the" goddess, but not in an image way, or unattainable. Somebody once said that Marylin Monroe's gift was making sex like something more attainable and fun, like "ice cream". Chrissie just is sex.

[@Tessmage_Tessera]

Well, if you're gonna compare her to Benatar, then I respectfully disagree. Pat Benatar is a gorgeous little morsel and an unbelievable vocalist.

[@vargaso]

Always had a huge crush on Chrissie. Also, she's writes everything, she's the real deal. As a rock songwriter, she's as good as anybody, male or female.

[@burneyvisser]

Check out chrissy from the divynals

[@sunnyjim1355]

XD

[@jeffreid7272]

Her voice seems so effortless.... Just like yesteryear!

[@RobMonty248]

Such a pleasure to see the talent is still there. Chrissy is an legend still alive.

[@cheezypeezy54]

She sounds the same so flawless. She is beautiful

[@Thundergod-]

Chrissie and The Pretenders. Always a class act !!!!

[@jayyyzeee6409]

Chrissie Hynde is such a badass! She was way ahead of her time, yet defined that time. Much love!!

[@cleawox]

She was. Brave, badass, artist, with the odds stacked WAY against her.

[@4orrcountry]

Saw her in 2016 in New Hampshire...a woman down front would not stop taking photos...after asking her to stop times, Chrissie finally resorted to calling for security to "get that cunt out of here!" - which they did!

[@oldschoolman1444]

@@4orrcountry some people just, can't, understand, normal, thinking =)

[@mag9ca]

Who was Christie Hynde before Christie Hynde? Nobody...nobody’d see anything like this badass spitfire. She’s the real shit.She invented the female snarle.

[@mrjon75]

No, she wasn't. No one before or after measures up, keep time out of it.

[@jimcook8933]

I'll never understand how these guys get less play on the "classic rock stations " than Joan Jett.

[@bluegregory6239]

Agreed, they are much more musically interesting. No disrespect intended to Ms. Jett and her Blackhearts, who had some great songs.

[@BeeBumper]

Great band and awesome vocalist. Not underrated. We fully understood how talented they were and are. An unique sound all their own.

[@8acenelson]

You're right--not underrated by her fans. I just think there should be more of us.

[@taylor22222222]

​@@8acenelsonI just recently became a huge fan of The Pretenders and my love of music is rooted generally with classic rock, so I guess I'm a statistic in all this lol 😅 But seriously, there are so many gems in The Pretenders catalog that haven't been played on the raido, or just weren't released as singles, and I'm loving going through these songs lately and discovering more music. I'm enjoying several live versions even way more than their original studio records, or as like an extension of these songs, even the few everyone knows--like the 2 live video rehearsals from '79 here on KZbin.

[@8acenelson]

@@taylor22222222 I discovered them in 1984 on a TV show (don't remember which one). They played "Show Me." It's still maybe my favorite song by anybody. It soars, it breaks your heart, it captures the magic of love, the pure longing, the music and the lyrics both pure genius. And Chrissie. Wow. Nobody else like her. It was like hearing the Beatles or Hendrix for the first time. I'm still a huge fan. I'll have to check out some the more obscure stuff you're talking about. You've inspired me to dig deeper, even tho I've been a fan all these years. Cool.

[@JohnDoe-qu7gm]

Still one of the greatest openings to a song

[@BonnChnd]

“When you own a chunk of the bloody third world the babies just come with the scenery…”. Fn brilliant!

[@rbilleaud]

Isn't streaming the best thing ever? My daughter (21) was watching reruns of Friends and they had the scene where Chrissie Hynde takes over Phoebe's job as a performer at the coffee shop, and I was like, oh yeah, I forgot she was on the show. My daughter says, who's that? So I got to introduce her to The Pretenders.

[@upperleftcoastchelseafan7718]

Saw the Pretenders in 87' at a small 3,000 seat auditorium in Portland OR when Robbie was still in the band. Good they were unbelievable, every guy in the place thought Chrissie was singing directly at them. Never seen so many guys ignoring their dates/wives/girlfriends like they did on that night, never saw so many women ignoring theirs either. Chrissie could make you fall in love with her just watching and listening to her. As good as they were I would loved to have seen the original line-up with Honeyman-Scott. Aw hell I don't care, they were freakin' awesome! They opened with Roomful Of Mirrors and the place went absolutely insane, you could feel the electricity and something else in that room. It was weird, like I was trippin' but I had only smoked a little weed (and weed wasn't that great back then) and had a beer or two before the show, this was just pure magic. My girl was just as blown away.

[@peterscanlon9727]

Upper Left Coast Chelsea Fan I saw them at live aid

[@epipick]

Their best period was when Robbie was with them.

[@Johngonefishin]

I was there too....Civic Auditorium

[@amandawilcox9638]

Upper left Coast Chelsea-Wahoo you & Johngonefishin! Civic auditorium was a sweet room. Good sound. I missed the Pretenders and other greats, but got there for the first Led Zep tour. Stunning. Nice, clean lights, too. (Zep was booked with Blue Cheer or Iron Butterfly. Whoever. And Gentlemen Wilde, a PDX "PR & R" clone. I still wonder if the Civic's booker ever got another gig after that show! Good room, better times; great music. Zep was astounding. Blessings. 🙏

[@briankelly2337]

one of the best voices i have ever heard.....she still sounds really good here, she sings one line and you know its her...fantastic

[@timford3599]

Martin Dale Chambers has always been one of my very favorite drummers. He plays with the same ferocious energy here that he used to back in the late 70's, early 80's. He's an animal.

[@jamescfleck]

I'm 68 and always loved that song! That is a great video !

[@theorangegoodness]

I’ve never heard Chrissie sing sharp or flat live. Like ever. What a cool voice.

[@MegaSickcat]

One of the best rockers...Chrissie Hynde...doesn't matter male or female...SHE ROCKS IT!

[@waltermameli2026]

Truly Historic Rockers from the other side of The Pond.....The Pretenders.....Few could stand shoulder to shoulder with them.....

[@jayillingworth579]

with a hot yank band leader...

[@emmettbearden1472]

She is the best 👌

[@bpabustan]

Martin Chambers' drumming is as tight as ever!

[@daveinindy]

NO, it's not. He's a great drummer ... but this wasn't a good night for him. The triplets throughout the intro? Just about all of the fills throughout this otherwise terrific performance? He just wasn't laying down anything close to a steady driving rhythm.

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

@@daveinindy Yeah. I think the band had to work around him there. The timing wasn't good. It happens. He's still a great drummer. I thought that kit sounded a bit dead, too.

[@pauliescott]

The first Pretenders album is such an amazing record. The punk elements in it are rocking still to this day

[@googoo-gjoob]

what *^^HE^^* said

[@jblcva]

Sex Pistols influence.

[@pauliescott]

@@jblcva i hate that record. Just saying

[@rayjohnson5480]

​@@pauliescott I don't hate it but Learning to Crawl is way better.

[@kevinmotley8029]

Don't want to AGE myself but oh what the heck. I saw The Pretenders back in 1984 at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg Va along with The Alarm & STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN & Double Trouble. Now THAT was a concert to remember & The Pretenders STILL sound AMAZING!!!

[@DH-tj6tf]

Chrissy Hynde and Joan Jett my two favorite front lady Rockers!

[@mick8018]

still real still tuff still listening in 2019 i love this chick

[@skipacuff5104]

Mike Marcell

[@drvee1983]

They still rock. Drummer did all the signature licks. Chrissie still has the rock girl swag and in your face chops. You gotta love the harp!

[@brauliomarianoabal2645]

That’s my favorite song by them. I met this Band in an old CD called HARD ROCK CAFÉ LIVE. It has blowed my mind ❤🎉. CHEERS FROM ARGENTINA 🇦🇷

[@jorgepancho]

The irony is there have been so many pretenders since this band came along, but only they are THE Pretenders.

[@bigdogpete43]

Rock and roll always has a powerful drummer leading the way.

[@davidduval8681]

I always loved the drums on this tune and seeing it played on this video just super emphasized that for me!

[@philnaccarato]

Chrissie has always been - and will always be - one of the coolest rock and roll bad-asses of all time..!

[@flwrfan1752]

Chrissie Hynde was born and raised in my town.Very proud she is.

[@guitartrav4299]

Used to play this song in a former band. What a great tune 🤘

[@rampantgerbil9152]

I grew up on her music, and can say that all of my mates had an infatuation with this lady and so did I. I love the fact that she is still doing what she loves.

[@MalcolmDesigns]

This music makes me feel like a teenager in the late 1970s early 80s. ❤️🔥

[@sonsralarstoo4273]

Damn straight

[@jeffreid7272]

Her voice 40 years later is better now than before... Wow!!

[@LouieLouie3]

Dennis is such a badass drummer.

[@petertarr2930]

She is great and the Drummer is as well!!

[@tomrietta1280]

She still sounds amazing!

[@josecarlosdomingues9209]

The same voice.

[@sonsralarstoo4273]

So HOT

[@a2ndopynyn]

She never sang out of her natural range, so she doesn't have to strain to get their now.

[@MajDogMeat]

The Girl still got it ! Rock on..............

[@Cap683]

Different guitarists and bass players come and go but they are always great players.

[@lucienrobidoux3692]

All I can say is holly shit...this song delivers, and so is that band...make noise people!

[@davidnoah9254]

Who in their right mind would give this a thumbs down? You go Chrissie. What a talent! Awesome. My neighbours listened to this. Like they had a choice!

[@njdrummer7120]

She is a badass. Sounds amazing looks amazing and these songs are as good as they were in 1982.

[@andrewwietecki1693]

I remember back riding around in my old VW bug, listening to the Pretenders, taking a toke. Great times. Good luck now. Peace. Andrew Wietecki

[@kenster007]

Well that was awesome...pure fire.

[@sixsentsoldiers]

When America and England work together. Just a fantastic band.

[@tdrewke]

Thanks for still rockin' it, Chrissie and the Band....

[@depaola63]

They are ALL almost 70 and STILL BRINGING IT !!

[@Kjdjrh]

I caught her tambourine at the Tower Theatre in ‘82. Still have it on my studio wall. 🌸

[@charlielenk1677]

I caught one of Martin's sticks she threw into the audience at the Capitol Theatre (Passaic NJ). With my forehead. I was too stunned to fight when someone else grabbed it unfortunately.

[@bukowski20]

The untouchable Chrissie Hynde. Always great. My first crush! 1980....

[@davidboyce7996]

One of my all-time favorite bands.

[@ghengisfly7237]

Yaassszzz

[@belindafernandez-nm8sx]

Rock on like always. I love the pretenders since high school. Class of 78 😊

[@wataboutya9310]

I think that was the best performance of that song I have ever heard!

[@pianotnt]

Me too

[@garyvandecar8554]

Rest in Peace James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon.

[@evetsnitram8866]

Could you imagine being in a band that does two sets per night, that's two drum solos, and possibly two bass solos to endure.

[@johnewbank1432]

God save the pretenders and of course the kinks. James scott and pete farndon along with chrissie were the true pretenders Of course with mr Chambers on his kit I suppose chrissie sometimes thinks about a few of her mates when i have heard her simg the damage done. I guess we all have. Those memories of friemds lost and gone Long live rock and roll.

[@simpleman5688]

Still love their first two albums! Ya ya!

[@jeffrobodeenyehcmon5925]

This song never gets old.

[@BushCampingTools]

Go Chrissie! Still belting it out!

[@michaelulbricht9438]

Chrissie Hynde's the real deal. Nothing phony about her. Losing Honeyman-Scott was a real blow, miss his great sonic touch, yet Chrissie's going strong.

[@charleshix2002]

Old school. Kids listen & it blows em away

[@wokkie1999]

She sounds outstanding. Keep rocking Chrissy Hyde

[@stevejulian]

Such a beautiful sensual being. Love her voice and attitude.

[@Arturo-sm1tb]

SEXY is the word. Unbelievably sexy.

[@doncastillo7813]

One of The Pretenders best songs IMHO , loved it from the get go.

[@markberryhill2715]

Saw this real time when it aired and thought this was the best song of the night. Amongst many.

[@WhateverHappenedToHer0331]

Saw them in Portland in ‘84. Was The Civic Auditorium at the time. Fancy venue for a band like The Pretenders. It’s where the ballet and opera performed. Some of the audience wanted to come down the aisle to get up close and dance. Security stopped them. Chrissy threw her guitar down on the stage and said she wasn’t going to fucking play unless they were allowed to. She left. Security changed their minds when it looked like they’d have a riot on their hands, she came back and finished. The whole place went wild. What a great show.

[@gilliantracy7991]

One of my fave Pretenders songs! Excellent!

[@rhight]

These guys are the Gold Standard of rock. God bless an Chrissie and her guys!

[@mikshank5039]

God I wish I was there! I bet most of the people in there are around the same age. Late 50s and 60ish and we were all young and free spirited in the early '80s, listening to The pretenders and all the other great '80s bands! Best decade of the century!

[@cardinaldriver]

So this is where Brendan Fraser ended up! Great tune! Brings me back to falling asleep every night to my first transistor radio. That's an AM/FM iPOD in the 70's in case anyone wonders.

[@murrayboler5700]

I love The Pretenders!!!!!!

[@trueknowledgeispower]

Nothing beats that originally recorded guitar solo.

[@blairhelsing630]

Billy Bremner!

[@earlyetman2258]

Only one way to play this tune...LOUD!!!

[@GodseyKnives]

always liked this band

[@mikeschmelzer9733]

Unique , great songs, transcended their ' new wave' label. Chrissie is a one of a kind talent and they' be got one of the best rock drummers ever...Martin Chambers!

[@reemclaughlin4260]

Just WOW! Chrissie's voice is very strong, and Martin Chambers has always been an underrated drummer. I've seen them many times. She stuck her guitar pick in my hand, and I'm still high over it. I love their early punk music.

[@tuckedup]

martin started off in school day times, with our blues band on a borrowed drum kit in my bedroom and then we played at village halls

[@blairhelsing630]

@@tuckedup Martin's played great drums the three times I've seen the band ('80s, '90s, '00s). Unique style and great power and pulse.

[@larryherbert252]

I like that song!

[@hookywookywithmalarkyman704]

WTFck !!! rocking thru all these years SUPERB !

[@kenhymes4900]

Tells you everything about the old boys club of rock in the us back then that this monster had to emigrate to the uk to get noticed. Heart... Susie Quatro and the Runaways... lots of valiant efforts and great work by now-unknowns... but basically bands fronted by women who actually rocked hard didn't take off until the 90s and even then it was a struggle for the women doing it. Hats off to Hynde for bringing it and breaking through like she did.

[@Kmarty2000]

Ever hear of a mid-70s band called Heart? Ann & Nancy Wilson were huge stars in those days, and still tour today.

[@peterhaitch7507]

2020 and still love this intro , and she still looks 33

[@davidrobbins4168]

The Pretenders are one of those bands that no matter what genre you are most into, you totally enjoy and respect. There aren't a lot of those bands around especially these days. Artists.

[@petes474]

second favorite Pretenders song... fortunate to see them with Neil Young at red rocks... that is in the top five concerts for me all time... ive been to over 200 concerts