Pretenders

On September 8, 1980, The Pretenders delivered a fiery live performance of "Space Invader" at Chicago's Riviera Theatre. This gig came just after the release of their debut, self-titled album in January of that year. With hits like "Brass in Pocket" soaring on the charts, the band was riding a wave of critical acclaim and newfound popularity. Crazily enough, they were gaining a reputation for their electrifying and raw live shows, which were quite a feat considering the ups and downs they faced—including the tragic loss of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott earlier that year. This performance captures the band's energy, melding punk rock with pop sensibilities, and serves as a snapshot of a moment when they were truly on the rise.

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