The Story Behind Nirvana's Unplugged in New York Performance and Album

In November 1993, one of rock's hottest new bands, Nirvana, travelled to New York City to record a performance for MTV's Unplugged series. But the resulting live album wouldn't get released for another year due to the suicide of Kurt Cobain 5 months after the taping. It would, however, become one o…

The Eerie Tale of the Original Spirit of Rock: the CHOM Ghost

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…

The Haunted House Where Bands Like Genesis and Led Zeppelin Went to Rehearse

Out in the English countryside sits an old manor house that was once an orphanage; and bands like Genesis, Led Zeppelin, and Fleetwood Mac would go there to write, rehearse, and even to record. But they all found it ultimately unsettling due to strange noises in the night, and even ghostly appariti…

Pearl Jam Broke the Sophomore Jinx with Vs.

In late October, 1993, Pearl Jam were featured on the covers of both Time Magazine and Rolling Stone, proclaiming them as the vanguard of a new youth movement and new generation of rock bands. They had just released their second album, Vs., which became one of the fastest albums in history, and hel…

The Album That Caused the Rock World to Fall in 'Love' with The Cult

In mid-October, 1985, a great new rock band from the north of England blazed onto the scene featuring a lead singer who'd been raised in Hamilton, Ontario. Marrying elements of 60's psychedelic rock, 70's hard rock, and 80's post-punk rock, The Cult crafted an album that served notice that heavy gu…

The Tragically Hip Album That Celebrated Canadian Folklore

In early October, 1992, that little ol' band from Kingston, the Tragically Hip, released their third album, Fully Completely. It featured a heavier sound and lyrics inspired by Canadian culture and history. It went straight to number one in Canada, and became one of THE defining albums of Canadian …

Frank Marino shares his favourite guitar solos, previews free Montreal concert

Randy Renaud caught up with Frank Marino, legendary musician and frontman of Mahogany Rush. He discusses his early career, shares his favourite guitar solos and chats about Angine de Poitrine's success. Frank Marino will be playing a free outdoor concert at the 2026 edition of Italfest MTL on Augu…

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…

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…