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.

In the spring of 1983, David Bowie took a new direction in his career. Instead of music aimed at your brain, he decided to make an album directed at your pelvis. Music to dance to. He teamed up with Chic's Nile Rodgers and recruited a hot young Texas guitarist named Stevie Ray Vaughan and recorded Let's Dance -- the best-selling album of his career. Randy Renaud revisits David Bowie's Let's Dance on the Chronicles of Rock.

In the spring of 1977, the Rolling Stones put on two surprise club shows in Toronto. But meanwhile, RCMP officers broke into Keith Richards' hotel room, and discovered heroin. The ensuing criminal trial led to a very unusual verdict: the band had to put on a charity concert for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. Why for them? Largely due to the testimony of a Quebec Stones fan. Randy Renaud has the whole tale on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

In the spring of 1986, Peter Gabriel released his 5th solo album -- one which became his most successful yet, and made him a global star, and one of the most respected artists in contemporary music. Randy Renaud has the story behind So, on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

One April evening 60 years ago, John Lennon and George Harrison ingested something that they'd never experienced before, and didn't even know they were consuming. It would be the start of a wild night out on the town, and the beginning of the transformation of the sound of the Beatles; and, by extension, it would help create a new genre called "acid-rock." Randy Renaud revisits that crazy night on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

30 years ago this week, the Tragically Hip played to the biggest crowd they'd ever played for, when they appeared on Saturday Night Live as that week's musical guests. And there to introduce them was a guy from their hometown: Dan Ackroyd. Randy revisits that night on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

In an attempt to escape from the long shadow of their big breakthrough hit, Creep, Radiohead turned for inspiration to the music of John Lennon and Jeff Buckley. The result was the brilliant album, The Bends -- one of the best albums of the 90's. Randy Renaud has the whole story on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.

At the start of the 90's, as a way of refreshing the way they worked, the members of R.E.M. all tried playing different instruments. They also brought in guest musicians and vocalists. And, for the first time, Michael Stipe tried writing a love song. The result was a hit song, and their first album to reach number 1 in the U.S., Canada, and around the world. Randy Renaud has the story behind Out of Time, released 34 years ago this week, on the Chronicles of Rock.

40 years ago this week, a band from Bath, England let out a musical shout that had fans around the world falling head over heels for them. And soon, Tears for Fears were ruling the world’s record charts. Randy Renaud revisits the story behind the creation of Songs From the Big Chair for its 40th anniversary, on the Chronicles of Rock.

In 1974, Led Zeppelin returned to the country manor where they had recorded their 4th album, to record their first album for their own new record label. The sessions went so well that they decided to expand the album into a 4-sided double album, which they entitled Physical Graffiti. And it was released 50 years ago this week, February 24, 1975. Randy Renaud marks its 50th anniversary by telling the story behind its creation, on the Chronicles of Rock.

It was released on Friday the 13th, 1970. And it would be the harbinger of a new, heavier form of rock music. A new band named Black Sabbath recorded their debut album in less than 12 hours. But its influence would be eternal. Randy Renaud celebrates the 55th anniversary of Black Sabbath's debut album on the Chronicles of Rock.

It was the album that proved that Genesis could indeed survive and even thrive without their former frontman, Peter Gabriel. And like a Victorian toy box, it was filled with fanciful characters and enchanted tales. For its 49th anniversary, Randy Renaud revisits the story behind Trick of the Tail by Genesis on the Chronicles of Rock.

On a blustery January day in 1969, pedestrians, shopkeepers and office workers along London's Saville Row were stunned to discover that, for their lunch-break, they were being treated to an unannounced concert by the world's most famous band. For the first time in 3 years, the Beatles were performing live. But not on a stage, nor even on the street. They were high on top of a rooftop, performing brand new songs. Until, that is, the police arrived to shut them down. Randy Renaud has the story behind the Beatles legendary rooftop concert on the Chronicles of Rock.