James Honeyman-Scott (4 November 1956 – 16 June 1982), commonly referred to as "Jimmy", was an English rock guitarist, songwriter and founding member of the band The Pretenders.

With the Pretenders, Honeyman-Scott established a reputation, in the words of Allmusic, as "one of the most original and versatile guitarists of the early-'80s new wave movement," he was found dead of heart failure caused by cocaine intolerance. In addition to his role as lead guitarist, Honeyman-Scott co-wrote a number of songs for the band, sang back-up vocals, and played keyboards on a few tracks.

Honeyman-Scott, along with Pretenders bandmates Pete Farndon (bass guitar / vocals) and Martin Chambers (drums / vocals / percussion), came from Hereford, Herefordshire, England, UK. Prior to joining the Pretenders, Honeyman-Scott played in several bands, including a precursor to The Enid with Robert John Godfrey, The Band The Hawks - Kelv Wilson ( Bass Guitar & Vocals), Dave Plowman ( Guitar ), Stan Speak ( drums ). The Hot Band, and The Cheeks (Guitar Player, 1981, Verden Allen Interview, 1999). Fellow members in The Cheeks included Chambers and ex-Mott the Hoople keyboardist Verden Allen, Kelv Wilson ( Bass Guitar - Vocals ). When Honeyman-Scott joined the Pretenders, he was growing vegetables and selling guitars in a music store in Widemarsh Street, Hereford, called Buzz Music.

Pete Farndon (12 June 1952 – 14 April 1983) was an English bassist and founding member of the rock band The Pretenders. Farndon attended Hereford Cathedral School in his home town of Hereford, before embarking on his musical legacy with The Pretenders. In addition to playing bass with the group, Farndon sang backup vocals and co-wrote two of the group's songs ("The Wait" and "Space Invader"), before being dismissed from the group on 14 June 1982 (Uncut, 1999).

Farndon and bandmates James Honeyman-Scott (guitar / vocals / keyboards), and Martin Chambers (drums / vocals / percussion) hailed from Hereford, England. Prior to joining the Pretenders, Farndon played with Cold River Lady until the summer of 1976, and then toured with Australian folk-rock band The Bushwackers prior to the Pretenders in 1978 (Melody Maker 1979; Rolling Stone 1980). Farndon's musical influences included Stanley Clarke and Jeff Beck (Rhino Entertainment Group, 2006).

Farndon joined the Pretenders in the Spring of 1978, and was the first member of the 1978-82 lineup to be recruited by Chrissie Hynde. Farndon recalled their first rehearsal: "I'll never forget it, we go in, we do a soul number, we do a country and western number, and then we did 'The Phone Call' which is like the heaviest fuckin' punk rocker you could do in 5/4 time. Impressed? I was very impressed." (Rolling Stone, 1980). A guitarist was still needed, however, and Farndon recruited lead guitarist James Honeyman-Scott into the group that summer (Rolling Stone, 1980; Uncut, 1999).