On August 23, 1981 The Pretenders were playing a concert at the Oriental Theatre. Earlier that day James Honeyman-Scott came across a band busking just outside. He called Chrissie Hynde’s attention to them and that night, at her invitation, the Violent Femmes opened for the Pretenders launching both their careers and the soundtrack of the underground folk punk and alternative rock movement of the 1980s. 

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its iconic debut album from 1983, the Violent Femmes teamed up with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in a special, sold out hometown concert. Milwaukee PBS was there and recorded it for a national viewing audience. 

*Chart credit: Wikipedia