Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip: Chrissie Hynde

Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip:

Chrissie Hynde

In my own personal big gay church there are many wings. One is dedicated to The Rockbirds - so named after a turn of phrase coined by Debbie Harry, one of the divas who resides there. These ladies raged against a very specific machine: the misogynistic heart of the corporate music business.

They endured countless interviews asking them how they felt being a woman in the world of rock n' roll - the assumption being that it was exclusively a man's world. Are they the women of rock? Hell, no... they just rock! And they did it all with a singular style and unique voice.

One such warrior?

Chrissie Hynde

On the cusp of life, she thought: I could be a waitress or I could be in a band. 

We think she chose correctly.

The lady has been kicking asses and taking names from day one; all with the kind of integrity and honesty one would expect from a true rebel.

She was raised in the world of punk, when it truly was punk.

And watched as that world died before her very eyes. 

Her eyes. 

They've seen a few friends passing...

She mourned and moved on, knowing never to repeat their mistakes. 

Maintaining a healthy detachment? It's served her well.

Yes. She's always been whip smart. Practical and ethical. 

Unafraid, she speaks her mind, calls them as she sees them, and has championed her share of causes. 

She respects the planet and all its inhabitants - heaven help those who don't. 

Musically? She's wired tight; coiled, a jazz journeyman singing in a rock 'n roll band.

Lyrically caustic and unerringly observant, she also recognizes the power of a more tender touch. 

There's never been anyone in music like her. 

The gospel according to her?

Well, here are three from the hip, dropping from her lips.

The topic? Animal Rights

"The meat industry spends hundreds of millions of dollars lying to the public about their product. But no amount of false propaganda can sanitize meat. The facts are absolutely clear: Eating meat is bad for human health, catastrophic for the environment, and a living nightmare for animals"

"Don't get a job in an abattoir. Don't be a butcher. The idea that people have to do these jobs for a livelihood is ridiculous. They can get other jobs. Shoplift, man. Better to be a prostitute than cut an animal's head off for a living."

"I don't believe there is any justifiable reason for killing any animal unless perhaps if it's killing you! That would be negotiable."

Brass In My Pocket - The Pretenders

Don't Get Me Wrong - The Pretenders

Human - The Pretenders

And one more parting shot...

"There's the meat eaters and there's us. And that's the way I look at the world."