Neil cowley

Few pianists rival Charles Owen for the breadth of his activity, never mind the energy he brings to everything he does. Recitalist, chamber musician, concerto pianist, professor, festival organiser… I

Fierce, tender and defiantly independent, The Pretenders are rock’s rebels without a clause in the contract. Four decades and dozens of huge hits into their career, they still do exactly – and only – what they want. Chrissie Hynde ’s high-wattage charisma and breathtaking voice are part of the equation. But so are a fistful of effortless, irresistible guitar hooks that make you reach for rewind every time a Pretenders track plays to the fade. With a stripped-down, rock ’n’ roll live album, Kick ’Em Where It Hurts , set for release in the coming weeks, we join Chrissie and guitarist James Walbourne to find out why ‘holding the fort for bands’ remains their mission