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 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.
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.
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.
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.
In January 1970, a band from Winnipeg with a cryptic name released an album that, despite containing criticism of American policies, became a huge success in the U.S. and went to number 1 in Canada. It remains one of the greatest rock albums to ever come from the Great White North. Randy Renaud revisits the story behind the Guess Who's American Woman for its 55th anniversary, on the Chronicles of Rock.
As the musical movement called New Wave swept across rock, bands that had ruled the 70's landscape of rock had to adapt or perish. And one band that did it better than most was Rush, who, in January 1980, released their answer to the new musical ethos: Permanent Waves; an album that confirmed that the Canadian trio would remain a force to be reckoned with in the 80's. Randy Renaud has the story behind it to mark its 45th anniversary, on the Chronicles of Rock.
In 1984, Van Halen released an album named after that year. But unlike their previous 5 albums which had been recorded in mere weeks, sometimes just days, the band laboured for many months on this one. It paid off as the album ended up going all the way to number 2 on the Billboard charts, and stayed there for five weeks. But it also led to the break-up of the band. Randy Renaud has the story of the album 1984 on the Chronicles of Rock.
In December 1969, the Rolling Stones released their first truly great album -- the first in a series of brilliant albums. And it managed to unseat the Beatles' Abbey Road from the top of the charts. It came at a time of great emotional turmoil and change, as the band's founder, Brian Jones, had died during the period of the album's recording. Undeterred, the Stones delivered one of their very best records, Let It Bleed. Randy Renaud has the story behind it for its 55th anniversary on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.