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PODCAST

Chronicles of Rock

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.

music music history

All Episodes

5:15

The Mysterious Sudden Reappearance of Pink Floyd's...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/06/19

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

en-US

6:43

1985 was the Year Simple Minds Became a Global Success

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/06/06

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.

en-US

6:06

The 1997 Album That Launched One of the Biggest Bands...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/05/30

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.

en-US

5:47

The Album That Turned Weezer's Fortunes "Green"

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/05/23

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.

en-US

6:05

How a London Band's 5th Album Helped Launch a New Era...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/05/16

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.

en-US

7:57

The Story of How The Beatles Decided to Just Let It Be

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/05/09

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.

en-US

6:49

The Album That Made David Bowie One of the Biggest...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/05/02

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.

en-US

5:35

How a Quebec Woman Helped to Keep Keith Richards Out...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/04/25

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.

en-US

6:53

Peter Gabriel's Masterpiece

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/04/11

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.

en-US

5:18

The Accidental Hallucinogenic Experience That Would...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/04/04

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.

en-US

4:54

The Night America Got Hip to the Hip

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/03/28

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.

en-US

6:24

A 30th Anniversary Celebration of Radiohead's The Bends

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/03/14

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.

en-US

5:00

The Story of the First R.E.M. Album to Go to Number 1...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/03/07

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.

en-US

7:17

A 40th Anniversary Celebration of an Album That Ruled...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/03/02

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.

en-US

7:21

Robert Plant's Favourite Led Zeppelin Album

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/02/24

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.

en-US

5:05

The Legend That is Black Sabbath Began 55 Years Ago...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/02/14

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.

en-US

7:28

In February 1976, Genesis launched a new era in their...

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/02/07

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.

en-US

5:27

The Most Famous Pop-up Concert Ever

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/01/31

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

en-US

6:46

55 Years Ago, A Canadian Band Conquered America

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/01/24

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.

en-US

6:49

The Album That Marked Rush's Adaptation to a New Era

Chronicles of Rock ·

2025/01/17

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.

en-US

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