James Honeyman-Scott - Legacy

Legacy

Although Honeyman-Scott died young, he influenced other well-known guitarists such as Johnny Marr, who noted that "most of all, the jingle-jangle came from James Honeyman-Scott of the Pretenders. He was the last important influence on my playing before I went out on my own. The first time I played 'Kid' with the Pretenders, I couldn't believe it. I've used that solo to warm up with every day for years". In addition, Scott is also credited with discovering the Violent Femmes, who opened for Pretenders at the Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while the band was on tour (IO Productions, Inc., undated). Another legacy was the effect Honeyman-Scott's death had on the Pretenders' subsequent direction and longevity. Chrissie later said, "One of the things that kept the band alive, ironically, was the death of Jimmy Scott. I felt I couldn't let the music die when he did. We'd worked too hard to get it where it was.... I had to finish what we'd started" (Rhino Entertainment Company, 2006). At the group meeting on 14 June 1982, Honeyman-Scott suggested bringing Robbie McIntosh into the group in some capacity. After Honeyman-Scott's death, McIntosh became the group's lead guitarist for several years.