Chronicles of Rock

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. 

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.