As for the older stuff, "My City Was Gone" was the first to get the audience up from its seats and dancing. The live version of "Downtown - Akron" sizzled like frayed wiring. "Kid," "Tattooed Love Boys," and "Back on the Chain Gang" all summoned memories and very healthy appreciation to Hynde for dusting those off for the tour.

Before she launched into one of Pretenders' biggest charters, "Don't Get Me Wrong," she invited "the girls" to dance and said "Alright,..fuck it. If you want to take pictures, do it now." The camera phones quickly reappeared and Hynde came to the foot of the stage, as if posing for those iPhone and Android moments. The song ended and she asked the crowd to return the phones to hidden places for the duration of the show. By then, we'd all been in the moment long enough to know we wouldn't soon forget it.

Personal Bias: We didn't hear "Message of Love," "I'll Stand By You" or "Middle of the Road." But, Hynde and company cranked out a brain-crushing version of "Precious." I knew if I heard that one, I'd get my money's worth. I was right.

The Crowd: A guy in a Haight and Ashbury T-shirt. A couple doing Chubby Checker's twist during the encore. The people who were once badasses with cool taste in music who gave birth to the kids who are the present-day badasses with cool taste in music. But, very few of the present-day badasses with cool taste in music.

Overheard In the Crowd:

Her: Do you have your glasses? Him: "Yeah, I think I have a pair. They're from Walmart."

Overheard 2: "This song makes me want a California Cooler."

Random Notebook Dump: How old was the crowd? There were too many people for one blogger to poll, but here's an indication: Hynde's drummer asked the crowd if Houston had a nickname. Someone shouted out "Boomtown," so, when the set ended Hynde said, "Thank you, Boomtown!"

Boomtown? No one's called H-town Boomtown since first-run episodes of Alf were airing. Boomtown?!

ROCKS OFF'S GREATEST HITS

The Ask Willie D Archives Top 10 Bars Where Your Dog Will Be Welcome, Too The 10 Worst Metal Bands of the '80s 25 Ways to Know You Spend Too Much Time in Montrose Houston's Top 10 Hookup Bars