A 40th Anniversary Salute to the Album That Brought Peter Gabriel into the "Big Time"

For his fifth studio album, Peter Gabriel teamed up with Canadian Daniel Lanois to create the most successful album of his career. It went to number 1 here in Canada, and reached number 2 in the U.S. where it also earned numerous Grammy nominations, including for Album of the Year. It is now consid…

A 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Album That Turned the Spring of 2001 Green

In the late 90's, the California band Weezer had, for all intents and purposes, called it quits. But Rivers Cuomo was coaxed back by fans, so he reformed Weezer and they recorded a third album that sparkled with sunshine and inescapable pop hooks. It was released on May 15, 2001 and became known si…

The Rock Opera That Caused a "Sensation"

In May 1969, with the Who on the brink of bankruptcy, Pete Townshend decided to risk it all with an extremely ambitious project -- arguably the most ambitious undertaking in rock to that point -- a 4-sided rock opera about a sight and hearing-impaired young man named Tommy who becomes a kind of mes…

A 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Aerosmith Rocks Album

On the heels of a break-through album, Toys in the Attic, and three hit singles -- Walk This Way, Sweet Emotion, and the re-released Dream On -- Aerosmith sought to record an album that would capture the electrifying power of their live shows. So they brought a mobile recording studio to their rehe…

The 50th Anniversary of The Ramones Debut Album

On April 23, 1976, four friends from Queens, New York released an album that helped trigger a whole new rock movement called "punk." It only took them four days to record with songs inspired by such diverse influences as The Beatles, MC5 and the Bay City Rollers. Randy Renaud celebrates the 50th an…

A 55th Anniversary Celebration of Jim Morrison's Swan Song with the Doors

In 1971, with Jim Morrison facing the possibility of jail time, and after the band's producer quit, the Doors managed to rally themselves to create one of rock's all-time great albums. Sadly, it would prove to be Jim Morrison's last. Randy Renaud marks the 55th anniversary of L.A. Woman (released o…

Donald K. Donald on CHOM in 1974 Running Down the Year's Big Concerts

Donald Tarlton was one of the most important figures in not only the history of popular music here in Montreal, but in Canada. He founded the concert promotion and booking company Donald K. Donald (or DKD) in 1966, and was instrumental in bringing to Montreal bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling St…

A 55th Celebration of the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers

On April 23rd, 1971, armed with a brand new guitarist, a sound punched up by a pair of American horn players, and a controversial album cover, The Rolling Stones released their ninth and possibly best album ever. Randy Renaud celebrates the 55th anniversary of Sticky Fingers on the Chronicles of Ro…

For the Record: Jimi Hendrix in Montreal

On April 2, 1968, Jimi Hendrix came to Montreal to perform for the one and only time. He and the Experience did a concert at the Paul Sauvé arena (that's Jimi backstage at the arena in the photo), but unruly fans kept invading the stage and even  stole some of the band's equipment. Jimi, Mitch Mitc…

The 80's song that Inspired Eddie Vedder to Write Better Man

In 1982, Eddie Vedder was working at a San Diego radio station, and he fell in love with a new song they were playing from a British band. Many years later, he and Pearl Jam recorded their song "Better Man," and once it became a hit, Vedder suddenly realized that he had unintentionally borrowed the…