Peter Wolf, the front man for the J. Geils Band, would leave the group shortly after this interview was recorded due to artistic differences. However, here he comes across as very appreciative of the band and confident in its continued existence. Added bonuses include his surprise at Lisa Robinson’s insinuation that he was a bit loopy, his thoughts on the FCC’s ban of “Give it to Me,” and his description of some of his stranger stage antics.

00:00 – The excitement of the first number one hit, having goals, making good music, growth as a band 01:30 – Having a private life, enjoying the fans 01:45 – “Give It To Me” banned by the FCC, becoming “the bad boys of Boston” 03:00 – Continuing to push boundaries, rock n’ roll as a means of rebellion 04:20 – Trying their best at everything they do as a band, achieving success 05:00 – Exciting music and new groups / the economy giving rock n’ roll a new vitality, conservative nature of record companies and radio 06:05 – No personnel changes within the band / “musical group therapy” 07:00 – Debt and bankruptcy within the band 07:55 – The ways he is crazy / releasing emotion helps the music 09:00 – Focusing on the work instead of the “show business” side of things, private life is private 09:40 – Jumping into the audience / invention of the wireless mic / going into the balconies to be with the fans

Another interview with Chrissie Hynde on this site was recorded in 1982, before the original Pretenders line-up had disbanded and while she was still trying to make sense of her fame. This talk, recorded only 2 years later, paints a very different picture. Including discussions about her daughter, working with a new band, and trying to have fun in a medium being ruined by the industry, this Chrissie Hynde seems more exhausted and cynical about her career. At the same time, she seems calmer and wiser as an individual, and even goes so far as to touch on her thoughts on death and religion.

00:00 – The Pretenders sound / carrying on without Honeyman-Scott and Farndon 01:24 – What a Chrissie Hynde solo project would entail 01:52 – Original aims for The Pretenders’ sound 02:24 – The commitment of motherhood 03:25 – Motherhood’s effect on life and songwriting 04:19 – Making Learning to Crawl 04:41 – Working with new people (Robbie McIntosh, Malcolm Foster) 05:50 – The aging of rock n’ roll 06:44 – The relief of a rock n’ roll lifestyle / irony vs. fate 07:51 – Perks of the lifestyle 08:34 – Playing the guitar 09:10 – Transcending a music “scene” 10:11 – The upcoming tour / feeling older / the Establishment of rock n’ roll 12:07 – Trying to have fun in the new music business 13:01 – Belief in catastrophes / Chrissie’s religion 15:04 – The experience of pregnancy 15:28 – Setting examples