As 1971 was coming to a close, David Bowie was going through some "Changes" -- from a Dylan-inspired singer-songwriter to the space-age rock star named Ziggy Stardust. He was broke, a new father, and in desperate need of some commercial success. So he recruited a band of musicians from Northern England, including a brilliant guitarist and arranger named Mick Ronson. And together they created an album called Hunky Dory. It laid the groundwork for his big breakthrough album to follow. But it is recognized today as one of his best-ever albums. Randy Renaud has the story behind its creation on the Chronicles of Rock. 

As 1971 was coming to a close, David Bowie was going through some "Changes" -- from a Dylan-inspired singer-songwriter to the space-age rock star named Ziggy Stardust. He was broke, a new father, and in desperate need of some commercial success. So he recruited a band of musicians from Northern England, including a brilliant guitarist and arranger named Mick Ronson. And together they created an album called Hunky Dory. It laid the groundwork for his big breakthrough album to follow. But it is recognized today as one of his best-ever albums. Randy Renaud has the story behind its creation on the Chronicles of Rock.&nbsp;

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.

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.

Chronicles of Rock

The best moments from CHOM 97 7's broadcast day.

The best moments from CHOM 97 7's broadcast day.

The Best of CHOM 97 7

David Bowie's First Great Album

In early 1975, Bruce Springsteen was in danger of being dropped by his record label. So he and the E-Street Band threw all their energy into creating something epic -- a marriage of Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, Jack Kerouac, and Marlon Brando all rolled into one. It would not only save his career, but it would become one of the quintessential albums in the history of rock. Randy Renaud has the story of the creation of Born to Run on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock. 

In early 1975, Bruce Springsteen was in danger of being dropped by his record label. So he and the E-Street Band threw all their energy into creating something epic -- a marriage of Phil Spector, Bob Dylan, Jack Kerouac, and Marlon Brando all rolled into one. It would not only save his career, but it would become one of the quintessential albums in the history of rock. Randy Renaud has the story of the creation of Born to Run on this week's edition of the Chronicles of Rock.&nbsp;

Bruce Springsteen's Desperate Attempt to Save His Career Resulted in a Rock Classic 

One hot and stormy weekend in the summer of 1969, a half a million people gathered at a pig farm in upstate New York to experience an incredible event -- one of the greatest collections of rock performers in history, and a remarkable example of collective harmony and cooperation. Randy Renaud revisits the story of the most famous music festival in history: the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, on the Chronicles of Rock. 

Image: AP Photo/File

One hot and stormy weekend in the summer of 1969, a half a million people gathered at a pig farm in upstate New York to experience an incredible event -- one of the greatest collections of rock performers in history, and a remarkable example of collective harmony and cooperation. Randy Renaud revisits the story of the most famous music festival in history: the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, on the Chronicles of Rock.&nbsp;
Image: AP Photo/File

Randy Renaud revisits the story of the most famous music festival in history: the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, on the Chronicles of Rock. 

Back to the Garden: The Story of Woodstock

15 summers ago, in July 2011, U2 came to Montreal on their 360 Degrees tour. But unlike their previous show in 1997, this time, they wouldn't be playing at Olympic Stadium. It was deemed unsafe, and there was nowhere else large enough to accommodate the band's massive stage structure, nicknamed "The Claw."  So the band spent their own money to adapt the old Blue Bonnets racetrack into a world-class concert venue. And the resulting shows would become two of the most memorable shows in Montreal concert history. Randy Renaud revisits that magical weekend on the Chronicles of Rock.

Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

15 summers ago, in July 2011, U2 came to Montreal on their 360 Degrees tour. But unlike their previous show in 1997, this time, they wouldn't be playing at Olympic Stadium. It was deemed unsafe, and there was nowhere else large enough to accommodate the band's massive stage structure, nicknamed "The Claw."&nbsp; So the band spent their own money to adapt the old Blue Bonnets racetrack into a world-class concert venue. And the resulting shows would become two of the most memorable shows in Montreal concert history. Randy Renaud revisits that magical weekend on the Chronicles of Rock.
Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

David Bowie's First Great Album

In 2 playlist(s)

Chronicles of Rock

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips