Chronicles of Rock

After an 18 month tour following their debut album, the Tragically Hip travelled to a city they'd been singing about on one of their best-known songs at that point, New Orleans, to record their follow-up album. But its songs were full of nods to their homeland, and its title was an inside joke that only Canadians would get. Randy Renaud marks the 35th anniversary of the release of the Tragically Hip's second album, Road Apples, on the Chronicles of Rock.

45 years ago this week, Rush released the most successful album of their entire stellar career, featuring classics like Tom Sawyer, Limelight and YYZ. For it, they embraced the musical sensibilities of the era, with the rise of the New Wave movement, and made their arrangements tighter and more focused. The result was a number 1 album in Canada, and top 5 in the U.S.& U.K., Randy Renaud revisits the story behind it on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

After Peter Gabriel announced that he was leaving Genesis, fans worried that it was the death knell for the band. But Banks, Rutherford, Hackett and Collins proved that not only were they far from finished, but that they had some magic up their sleeves. The album, Trick of the Tail, with Phil Collins now on lead vocals, is hailed today as one of their all-time best. Randy Renaud revisits its creation for its 50th anniversary (released Feb. 2, 1976) on the Chronicles of Rock.

After years of dominating American rock in the early 90's, Grunge was replaced in 1994 by a new musical movement coming out of the California Bay Area: Pop-Punk. And leading the way was the Berkley band, Green Day, whose third album, Dookie, went to the top of the charts and even won them a Grammy. Randy Renaud revisits the story behind it for the 32nd anniversary of its release (Feb. 1).

After trying his hand at acting in a movie for the first time, David Bowie then returned to the recording studio to record yet another innovative album -- this time marrying the soul and funk of his previous album with the new electronic music coming out of Germany. He was dangerously thin, sleep-deprived and suffering from cocaine addiction. And yet, the resulting album is considered one of his all-time best. Randy Renaud celebrates the 50th anniversary of Station to Station on the Chronicles of Rock.

This week in 1983, the lads from Sheffield released their third album -- an album that took them to the top of the charts and turned them into global superstars. It's the story of Def Leppard's Pyromania on the Chronicles of Rock.

In 1982, Eddie Vedder was working at a San Diego radio station, and he fell in love with a new song they were playing from a British band. Many years later, he and Pearl Jam recorded their song "Better Man," and once it became a hit, Vedder suddenly realized that he had unintentionally borrowed the chord structure from that 80's song he'd loved. But he made up for it by making sure the original writer got a special payday. Randy Renaud has that story on today's edition of For The Record, featured Monday through Thursday at 2pm.

As 1971 was coming to a close, David Bowie was going through some "Changes" -- from a Dylan-inspired singer-songwriter to the space-age rock star named Ziggy Stardust. He was broke, a new father, and in desperate need of some commercial success. So he recruited a band of musicians from Northern England, including a brilliant guitarist and arranger named Mick Ronson. And together they created an album called Hunky Dory. It laid the groundwork for his big breakthrough album to follow. But it is recognized today as one of his best-ever albums. Randy Renaud has the story behind its creation on the Chronicles of Rock.

In December 1976, the California band, Eagles, released their 5th studio album -- an album that shone a critical eye on American society in the late Seventies. It would become an instant sensation, and is today one of the best-selling albums in music history. Randy Renaud checks in to the Hotel California for this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

In November 1973, while the Who were playing in San Francisco, drummer Keith Moon collapsed on stage, and when roadies were unable to rouse him, Pete Townshend turned to the audience for a fill-in. And a 19-year old Who fan and aspiring drummer got to live out a rock & roll fantasy by manning the drum kit for three songs. Randy has the whole story on this week's Chronicles of Rock.

In 1975, the members of Queen were broke and in debt, despite three critically-acclaimed albums. But thanks to the backing of Elton John's manager, they set about recording an epic album -- one of the most expensive albums ever recorded. And suddenly, mamma mia, they were the toast of the rock world. Randy Renaud has the story behind the making of A Night at the Opera for the 50th anniversary of its release (November 21, 1975) on the Chronicles of Rock.

This week in 1991, U2 released their first album of the 90's, featuring explorations of new musical influences and styles. It became one of the biggest albums of the 90's, and it may also have saved the band from breaking up. Randy Renaud has the story behind it on the Chronicles of Rock.

In November 1972, a new California band suddenly burst onto the scene with a brilliant debut album. But that band was really just a recording vehicle for two songwriters from New York, Donald Fagan and Walter Becker, who would go on to create some of the finest albums of the Seventies and get inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 2001. But this first one has gone down in history as one of rock's finest. Randy Renaud revisits the birth of Steely Dan on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

In November of 1988, there was optimism in the air as the Cold War was thawing, and words like "glasnost" and "perestroika" were part of the parlance of the age. And R.E.M., for their 6th album, reflected that optimism on the album Green. It was one of their most overtly political albums with songs like "Orange Crush," "Stand" and "World Leader Pretend." Randy tells the story behind it, and how Montreal's own Leonard Cohen inspired one of its songs, on the Chronicles of Rock.

CHOM's original studios were at 1355 Greene Avenue in an old manour home that CHOM staff was convinced was haunted. Eerie sounds were heard at night, a large mirror at the top of the stairs kept cracking, and a spectral presence was spotted by many employees. Staff refused to work overnight, and it got so bad that an emergency seance was held. For Halloween, Randy revisits the chilling tale of the CHOM Ghost -- the original "spirit" of rock.

In 1995, the Smashing Pumpkins were on top of the rock world with the release of a double album that leader Billy Corgan likened to the Beatles' White Album, or Pink Floyd's The Wall. And despite it being a double album, it debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and earned the band 7 Grammy nominations. To mark the album's 30th anniversary, Randy Renaud revisits the story behind the making of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness on the Chronicles of Rock.

It began with the theft of a bunch of their instruments, continued with writing sessions in a rat-infested (and possibly haunted) old house, and finished in a race to meet a deadline. But the result was one of Prog-Rock's greatest concept albums. It would also prove to be the last with lead singer Peter Gabriel. To mark the release of the new box set and Dolby Atmos mix of the album, Randy traces the story behind The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway by Genesis on the Chronicles of Rock.

In celebration of David Lee Roth's 71st birthday, and in commemoration of Eddie Van Halen, who passed away 5 years ago this week, Randy Renaud revisits the birth of the band Van Halen and the creation of their debut album, on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

In October, 1970, Led Zeppelin revealed just how diverse was their musical palette with their third album, featuring more delicate numbers inspired by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant's love of English folk music. And so to celebrate the 55th anniversary of that great album, Randy Renaud has the story behind its creation on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

By 1973, after two albums, it looked like the career of Rick Davies and Supertramp was over. But with the addition of new members, Supertramp set about creating an album that would turn their fortunes around and that would go on to be recognized as an all-time classic. In remembrance of Rick Davies who passed away on September 6, 2025, at the age of 81, Randy Renaud revisits the story behind that brilliant album on the Chronicles of Rock.

Exhausted and frustrated with his career, Jimi Hendrix retreated to London in September of 1970 to recover and reset. However, on September 18, he was found dead in his rented apartment at the age of 27. For the 55th anniversary of his passing, Randy Renaud revisits the strange circumstances of his death on the latest edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

38 years ago this week, Pink Floyd embarked on their first tour in 6 years, but now without Roger Waters. And they launched their world tour, first with a show in Ottawa, and then the official launch with 3 concerts at the Montreal Forum. Press from all over the world flew into town to witness whether or not they could do it without Waters. And despite the band members being very nervous, the shows were a triumph. Randy Renaud takes you back to those monumental shows on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

In September 1981, Genesis recorded their 11th album. And for the first time, they utilized guest musicians and the newly developed drum machines. They adapted their sound to the rising New Wave movement in music, and scored their best-selling album to that point in their career. Randy Renaud has the story behind Abacab on the Chronicles of Rock.

35 years ago, after a triumphant performance at a music festival in Wisconsin alongside many other rock & blues greats, the 35 year old Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash, thus cutting short one of the most remarkable careers and talents in the history of rock. Randy Renaud pays tribute to the guy who even blues giants like Buddy Guy and B.B. King revered on the latest edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

In the summer of 1975, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band released an album that saved their careers. In jeopardy of being dropped by their record company, they came up with a masterpiece of an album that now ranks as one of rock's all-time greatest. Randy Renaud looks back at the story behind its creation on the Chronicles of Rock.

Following the immense success of the concept album/rock opera Tommy, Pete Townshend had an even more ambitious project in mind for the Who's next studio album -- one that would connect the band and listeners via computer technology and the newly invented synthesizers, long before the creation of the internet or virtual reality. But it proved to be TOO ambitious, so the band abandoned it. But the leftover songs formed the basis of one of the greatest rock albums in history. Randy Renaud revisits the summer of 1971 and the story behind Who's Next on the Chronicles of Rock.

In August 1977, Emerson, Lake and Palmer brought a very ambitious concert tour to Montreal, to Olympic Stadium backed by a 60-piece orchestra. But before the tour began, the three bandmates lived and rehearsed here in Montreal. On this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock, Randy Renaud revisits that incredible concert event, and Carl Palmer explains what happened just 15 minutes before showtime, almost derailing the whole show.

43 years ago, a band from Birmingham, England, became a sensation with an album that fused Bowie & Roxy Music influences with American soul & funk, and delivered it with a sunny sheen that helped make it the soundtrack of the summer of '82. And so, for this summer weekend, Randy revisits the making and impact of Duran Duran's album Rio, on the Chronicles of Rock.

In the early 1980’s, rock’s New Wave washed away many of the bands from the previous decade. But one Canadian band adapted and rode the tide to even greater success. For their 8th album, Rush pared down their sound and integrated ska and afro-beat rhythms to create the most successful album of their career. Randy Renaud has the story of Moving Pictures on the Chronicles of Rock.

It may well be the greatest album in the career of one of rock’s greatest bands. With the help of a brand new guitarist recruited from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, and through recording sessions at the legendary Muscle Shoals studios, The Rolling Stones created the masterpiece, Sticky Fingers. Randy Renaud unzips the tale on Chronicles of Rock.

With Ozzy Osbourne performing what looks to be his final concert ever, Randy looks back at one of the most infamous concert moments of Ozzy's remarkable career -- the time he bit into a bat onstage. All the bloody details, and how the bats got their revenge later, on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

In 1970, just months after their debut album had been released, four lads from Birmingham re-entered the studio to record a follow-up. It took them less than a week, but its impact would be eternal, helping to create a new sound in rock that would come to be called "heavy metal." Randy Renaud looks back at the creation of the Black Sabbath masterpiece, Paranoid, in honour of the band's farewell concert in Birmingham.

On July 3, 1971, Jim Morrison passed away while in Paris. But the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. Randy Renaud returns to that day to revisit the events on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

One November night in 1973, a group of musicians without even a band name yet, performed 3 songs live on CHOM. Soon after a recording contract followed, and then a debut album that would make the name Harmonium a cultural milestone in Quebec and Canadian music history. Randy Renaud has the story of the birth of Harmonium on the latest edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

In late February, 1974, the first album from a brand-new Montreal band was released. It would help launch a Montreal musical renaissance, and lead to that band getting an invitation to tour Europe with Supertramp. Randy Renaud has the story behind Harmonium by Harmonium on the Chronicles of Rock.

It was a bold move, and a desperate one, when David Bowie, struggling to make a go of it as a rock musician, adopted a pseudonym and donned a wild outfit in 1972. It was the birth of Ziggy Stardust, and it worked. The look and sound of Ziggy took the rock world by storm, and Bowie's concept album based on the character, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, released on June 16, 1972, marked the beginning of Bowie's rise to super-stardom. Randy Renaud has the story behind it all on this week's episode of the Chronicles of Rock.

50 years ago this month -- June 5, 1975 -- Pink Floyd were in the studio working on a new song for the next album -- a long, epic song written in honour of their former leader and principal songwriter, Syd Barrett, who had been estranged from the band for years. And as they worked in the studio, they noticed an unfamiliar figure standing in the control room. To their shock, they suddenly realized that it was the very man the song was about, who somehow showed up that very day, uninvited. Randy Renaud revisits the bizarre tale of the recording of Shine On You Crazy Diamond for the latest edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

40 years ago, after building a stellar reputation as one of rock's most unique and critically acclaimed bands, Simple Minds reached a new level, becoming one of the globe's biggest bands. It started with a number 1 hit featured in one of the year's most popular films, The Breakfast Club; then an appearance at Live Aid, followed by the most successful album of their career, Once Upon a Time. Randy Renaud takes you back to 1985 -- a golden year for Simple Minds -- on the Chronicles of Rock.

In late May 1997, former Nirvana drummer, Dave Grohl, embarked on a new phase of his career by releasing an album with a new band he called Foo Fighters. It proved to be a massive success and helped make the Foos one of the biggest bands in the world. Randy has the story behind that album on the latest edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

After disappointing sales for Weezer's second album, leader Rivers Cuomo went into complete isolation and wrote an incredible 121 new songs -- 10 of which were recorded for the band's next album, produced by Ric Ocasek of the Cars. That album, popularly known as the Green album, turned the band's fortunes around and became a huge success; especially here in Canada where it reached number 2 on the charts. Randy Renaud has its story for its 24th anniversary on the Chronicles of Rock.

40 years ago, Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits released their 5th album, Brothers In Arms, recorded with radically new recording technology and a new form of music delivery called "the compact disc." The album proved to be so popular that the CD was suddenly all the rage in music, and the album went on to become one of the best selling records in music history. Randy Renaud revisits Brothers In Arms for its 40th anniversary on the Chronicles of Rock.

In May 1970, the last original album that the Beatles would ever release finally came out, after sitting on the shelf for over a year while the Fab Four battled over management control and financial issues, and in the process broke up. As such, the album Let It Be would act as the finale of the biggest band in the history of popular music. Randy Renaud revisits its creation in honour of its 55th anniversary.