Chronicles of Rock

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.

Episodes

June 6, 2025 6 mins

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 ...

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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. 

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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 ...

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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 Ch...

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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. 

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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. 

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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 Chronic...

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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. 

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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 th...

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