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Randy Renaud uses his unique storytelling ability to relive some of the biggest and most important moments in the history of rock 'n' roll. Important albums, legendary concerts and nights of debauchery all make up the Chronicles of Rock.
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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.
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