The Pretenders with "Message Of Love"

Witness a blistering and defiant display of rock and roll resilience as Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders deliver a heavy-hitting live rendition of their classic, "Message of Love."

Recorded live on May 30, 1983, during the legendary US Festival at Glen Helen Regional Park in Devore, California, this footage captures the band at a deeply pivotal moment. Performing in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, a newly rebuilt Pretenders lineup took the massive stage to prove their enduring power and unbreakable spirit following the tragic losses of founding members James Honeyman-Scott and Pete Farndon.

The Performance
This 1983 US Festival appearance is a masterclass in driving, tough-as-nails rock. The rhythmic foundation is incredibly muscular, anchored by original powerhouse drummer Martin Chambers and newly recruited bassist Malcolm Foster. Together, they establish a swinging, relentless pocket that perfectly supports the song's aggressive, staccato groove.

Stepping into massive shoes, guitarist Robbie McIntosh delivers a phenomenal performance, nailing the track's signature, jagged guitar riffs with searing precision. At the center of the massive outdoor stage stands Chrissie Hynde. Radiating an unshakeable, defiant cool, she delivers the song's cynical yet ultimately hopeful lyrics with her trademark sneer and world-class vibrato. Wielding her Telecaster, Hynde completely commands the enormous California crowd, turning the festival set into a triumphant declaration of the band's survival and continued dominance.

About the Song: "Message of Love"
Penned entirely by Chrissie Hynde, "Message of Love" was originally released in 1981, first appearing on the band's Extended Play EP and shortly thereafter on their highly anticipated sophomore album, Pretenders II.

The track is a brilliant paradox, juxtaposing a gritty, hard-hitting instrumental arrangement with a surprisingly earnest lyrical plea for genuine connection and romance. Famously containing an Oscar Wilde-inspired lyrical nod ("We are all of us in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars"), the song beautifully balances Hynde's street-smart toughness with her profound poetic vulnerability. It became a Top 15 hit on the UK Singles Chart and a defining staple of the band's early repertoire. This historic US Festival performance beautifully immortalizes the raw, uncompromising energy that made The Pretenders one of the most vital bands of their era.

Performance Details
Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar: Chrissie Hynde

Lead Guitar: Robbie McIntosh

Bass: Malcolm Foster

Drums: Martin Chambers

Keyboards: Chris Thomas

Song: "Message of Love"

Program: US Festival

Recording Location: Glen Helen Regional Park, Devore, CA

Recording Date: May 30, 1983

Songwriter: Chrissie Hynde

Genre: New Wave / Hard Rock / Post-Punk

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