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.