May 14 1953
Born: Lynn Lake
Born May 14 1953, Lake Lynn MB, to Violet & Tuck Cochrane, a bush pilot. At the age of four the family re-located to Acton, ON & later to Etobicoke, Ontario. He purchased his first guitar at age 11 by selling a toy train set. Cochrane attended Martingrove Collegiate Institute in the late 1960s
May 14 1953
1974
Hang On To Your Resistance
Hang On to Your Resistance - CochraneTom's debut album Hang On To Your Resistance was released in 1974 on Daffodil Records under the name Cochrane. Cochrane produced the album which featured the singles “You’re Driving Me Crazy” & “Charlie Was A Dancer”.
1974
1978
El Mocambo
After meeting at the famous El Mocambo Tavern in Toronto, Tom joined the Canadian rock band Red Rider in 1978 and served as their lead singer and main songwriter for more than ten years. Red Rider included Ken Greer, Jeff Jones, Peter Boynton & Rob Baker. Bruce Allen managed the band from their debit until 1985.
1978
1979
Don't Fight It
“Don’tRed Rider’s fourth studio album Breaking Curfew was released in 1984. It included the hit song Young Thing, Wild Dreams (Rock Me). The title track was also released as a single. Breaking Curfew became the fourth straight Gold album for Red Rider. The album was produced by Cochrane & David Tickle at Metalworks studios in Toronto and Startling Studios in England.
1979
1981
As Far As Siam
As Far As Siam - Red RiderRed Rider’s2nd album As Far as Siam was released in June 1981 & included Lunatic Fringe. The song was inspired by a book about humanitarian Raoul Wallenberg. Lunatic Fringe became Red Rider’s biggest hit. The song was featured in the movie Vision Quest. The album also included the single What Have You Got To Do (To Get Off Tonight). The album achieved Platinum sales certification in Canada (100,000+ sales) It was recorded at Sunset Sound studios in L.A. & was produced by Richard Landis & Michael James Jackson.
1981
1983
Neruda
Neruda - Red RiderRed Rider’s critically acclaimed third album Neruda was released in 1983 & included the singles Human Race, Power & Crack The Sky (Breakaway) plus the song Napoleon Sheds His Skin. Neruda  became Cochrane’s 3rd straight Platinum album in Canada with Red Rider. The album was recorded at Metalworks Studios in Toronto with David Tickle producing 8 of the album’s 10 songs.
1983
1984
Breaking Curfew
Breaking Curfew - Red RiderRed Rider’s fourth studio album Breaking Curfew was released in 1984. It included the hit song Young Thing, Wild Dreams (Rock Me). The title track was also released as a single. Breaking Curfew became the fourth straight Gold album for Red Rider. The album was produced by Cochrane & David Tickle at Metalworks studios in Toronto and Startling Studios in England.
1984
1985
Tears Are Not Enough - Ethopian Famine Relief
In 1985 Tom participated in the recording of the Northern Lights song Tears Are Not Enough with the proceeds going to Ethiopian famine relief.
1985
1985
Vision Quest
Vision Quest soundtrack was released in 1985 to accompany an American coming-of-age romantic drama film starring Matthew Modine and Linda Fiorentino. It included Lunatic Fringe as well as tracks from Journey, Foreigner, Madonna and many more.
1985
1986
Tom Cochrane and Red Rider
Tom Cochrane & Red RiderThe self-titled 1986 album was the first using his name as part of the band’s name. The album achieved Platinum sales status in Canada.It included the hit singles Boy Inside The Man, The Untouchable One, Ocean Blues & One More Time. The album earned Tom two Juno Awards for Composer of the Year and Group of the Year. The album was produced by Cochrane and Patrick Moran at Rockfield Studios in Wales & Cedartree Studios in Kitchener.
1986
1987
Over 60 Minutes With...
Over 60 Minutes with Red Rider is a compilation album released by Capitol Records -EMI of Canada in 1987 featuring singles and tracks from all four of Red Rider's studios albums.
1987
1987
Hang On To Your Resistance (The Early Years)
Hang On To Your Resistance (The Early Years) was originally released on Daffodil Records under the name Cochrane. This album was rereleased in 1987 with new artwork by Capitol Records - EMI of Canada.
1987
November 02 1987
1987 Juno Awards
The 1987 Juno Awards took place on the 2nd of November 1987 at the O'Keefe Centre in Toronto. Group of the Year went to Tom Cochrane and Red Rider. Tom was also nominated for Canadian Entertainer of the Year and Composer of the Year.
November 02 1987
1988
Victory Day
Victory Day - Tom Cochrane and Red RiderVictory Day released in 1988 included 3 major hits: Big League, Good Times and Victory Day. The album was produced by Don Gehman in Woodland Hills, Burbank, Vancouver, Toronto and Hollywood, L.A.
1988
1989
The Symphony Sessions
The Symphony Sessions - Tom Cochrane and Red RiderThe Symphony Sessions was recorded live in concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra on March 17-18, 1989 in Edmonton, AB. It featured many of Tom’s hits with Red Rider plus Leonard Cohen’s Bird on the Wire. The concert featured a 56-piece orchestra. The album achieved Platinum sales status in Canada.
1989
1991
Mad Mad World
MMW was released in 1991. Singles were Life Is a Highway (d #1 in Canada & #6 US Billboard Hot 100). No Regrets, "Sinking Like a Sunset, "Washed Away, Bigger Man & Mad Mad World. The album was produced by Joe Hardy.The album featured 2 different album covers.
1991
March 29 1992
1992 Juno Awards
At the 1992 Juno Awards held at the O'Keefe Centre in Toronto, Tom picked up the following awards. Best Male Vocalist, Songwriter of the Year, Best Album (Mad Mad World) and Single of the Year (Life Is A Highway).
March 29 1992
1993
Ashes To Diamonds A Collection
Ashes to Diamonds (A Collection) was a ltd edition box set released in 1993 by EMI Music Canada that spanned the music of both Tom Cochrane & Red Rider. Amongst the 3 tapes/ cds were singles, popular tracks as well as demos & live versions of certain songs.
1993
October 1995
Ragged Ass Road
Ragged Ass Road was released in October 1995. Named after a street in Yellowknife, NWT. Singles included I Wish You Well, Wildest Dreams, Dreamer's Dream and Crawl. The album was produced by Cochrane and John Webster.
October 1995
1997
Songs Of A Circling Spirit
Songs of a Circling Spirit was released in 1997. The album contains newly recorded acoustic versions of songs written by Tom and previously recorded either by him or Red Rider. Musicians included Tara Maclean, Gregor Beresford and Bill Bell.
1997
Feb 08 1998
Power Aid Live Benefit Concert
On February 8th 1998 CBC hosted a benefit concert on tv and radio in support of the people affected by the ferocious ice storms that had struck eastern Ontario and southern Quebec leaving many without power. Artists incldued Tom, Lawrence Gowan and Valdy
Feb 08 1998
February 1999
Xray Sierra
Xray Sierra was released in Febr 1999. It included the singles I Wonder, Willie Dixon Said, Heartbreak Girl & Stonecutters Arms. The album was recorded at Metalworks Studios, Toronto and Hipposonic Studios, Vancouver. It was produced by Tom & John Webster.
February 1999
October 20 2002
Muhammed Ali - In Person
At the Toronto Argonauts game, legends of the sports & entertainment paid tribute to Muhammad Ali for his contributions to humanity. Proceeds from the event went to the Parkinson Society Canada and to Parkinson's research.
October 20 2002
2002
Trapeze: The Collection
Trapeze: The Collection was released in 2002 by EMI Music Canada. It contained 2 new tracks Just Like Ali and Pictures From The Edge alongside past singles from both Tom & Red Rider. The CD came in both 2 disc & ltd edition 3 disc versions with 7 live songs on the bonus disc.
2002
2002
Anthology 1980-1987
Anthology 1980-1987 was a 2002 compilation album released on One Way Records ) in the US. It contained 10 Red Rider songs along with Boy Inside The Man & The Untouchable One from the Tom Cochrane & Red Rider album.
2002
April 05 2003
Canadian Music Hall of Fame Induction
Tom was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame on April 5, 2003 for his outstanding contribution to Canadian music. The following night, he was honoured in a speech by Jeff Healey at the Juno Awards at the Corel Centre.
April 05 2003
January 13 2005
Canada For Asia
Tom, his wife Kathy & Alex Lifeson organized a benefit concert in support of tsunami relief in Asia. 150 artists appeared including Anne Murray, Bryan Adams, Blue Rodeo, The Tragically Hip, Rush. The concert was televised by CBC TV and raised over $4 million in pledges.
January 13 2005
March 2005
Canadian Music Industry Humanitarian Award
In March 2005, Cochrane received the Humanitarian Award at the Canadian Music Industry Association's (CMIA) gala dinner in Toronto during the annual Canadian Music Week Festival.
March 2005
May 28 2005
Honorary Doctorate
On May 28th 2005, Tom received an honorary doctorate in music from Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba. The event was held at the Keystone Centre.
May 28 2005
July 02 2005
Live 8
The Canadian Live 8 Concert took place at Park Place, Barrie, ON on July 2, 2005, Tom sang "Life Is A Highway" and "No Regrets". The idea of the concerts was to pressure world leaders into dropping the debt of the world's poorest nations.
July 02 2005
October 2006
No Stranger
No Stranger was released in Oct 2006, his first album for Universal Music. It included the singles Didn't Mean, The Party's Not Over, Northern Star & Out of My Head,. Produced by Tom. Recorded at Metalworks Studios and Layastone.
October 2006
November 2007
Honorary Colonel
In November 2007, Tom was formally invested as an honorary colonel (HCol) by the Royal Canadian Air Force's 409 "Nighthawks" Tactical Fighter Squadron.
November 2007
April 2008
Order Of Canada
In April 2008, Tom was made an Officer of the Order of Canada for a lifetime of charity involvement and his contribution to the arts. He accepted the award from Governor General Michaelle Jean.
April 2008
May 13 2009
Rise Again Benefit Concert
On May 13th 2998 a Red Cross Manitoba Flood Relief concert took place at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, MB. The event was hosted by Tom Jackson and Tom performed "Good Times".
May 13 2009
September 2009
Canada's Walk Of Fame
In September 2009, Tom Cochrane was inducted onto Canada's Walk of Fame. The induction was highlighted by a two-hour nationally televised gala at Toronto's Four Season's Center for the Performing Arts which was hosted by Anne Murray.
September 2009
2012
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
To mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II accession to the Throne, a commemorative medal was created. Tom was amongst the 60,000 Canadians that received the medal
2012
June 18 2012
Keys To The City Of Winnipeg
On June 18th 2012, Tom, who was born in Lynn Lake, MB was handed the keys to the city of Winnipeg Manitoba at a ceremony at city hall by Mayor Sam Katz.
June 18 2012
August 15 2013
Alberta Flood Aid Concert
Over 32,000 people packed McMahon Stadium in Calgary for a benefit concert in support of thousands of people forced from their homes by flooding in southern Alberta. On the bill were Tom Cochrane, Jann Arden, Randy Bachman, Matthew Good and Nickelback
August 15 2013
April 20 2013
Allan Waters Humanitarian Award
On April 20 2013, Tom Cochrane was presented with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at the 2013 Juno Awards gala dinner at the Brandt Centre, Reginsa, SK.
April 20 2013
May 08 2014
Canadian Music Industry Hall Of Fame Inductee
Tom was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame on May 8, 2014, as part of the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards at the Kool Haus in Toronto. Gil Moore formerly of the band Triumph made the presentation.
May 08 2014
May 08 2014
Henry H. Knowles Humanitarian Award
Also on May 8th 2014, OPSEU honoured Tom with the Stanley Knowles Humanitarian Award.
May 08 2014
February 10 2015
Take It Home
Take It Home was released on Feb 10 2015 & was Tom's 2nd album for Universal Music. It featured 2 singles Sunday Afternoon Hang & Diamonds. Tom produced the album and it was recorded at Metalworks Studios.
February 10 2015
July 09 2015
Order Of Manitoba
On July 9th 2015, Tom was amongst 12 Manitobans who received the Order Of Manitoba from Lt-Gov Janice Filmon at the legislative building in Regina.
July 09 2015
October 28 2016
Mad Mad World (Deluxe)
On October 28,2016, UMC released an expanded 25th-anniversary edition of the album. Including the original demo for Life Is A Highway (Love Is A Highway), & an additional concert recorded on May 14,1992 in Chicago, Illinois.
October 28 2016
October 31 2016
Tom Cochrane's Life Is A Highway
On October 31, 2016, the provincial legislature of Manitoba announced a 322-kilometre section of PR 391, Manitoba's premium highway, connecting Lynn Lake and Thompson would be renamed Tom Cochrane's Life Is A Highway.
October 31 2016
March 14 2019
Revisited
Releasedf in March 2019, Revisited is a collection of 11 Tom Cochrane & Red Rider songs that have been revisited and rerecorded by John Webster, Bill Bell and Tom at Soleil Studio and Metalworks.
March 14 2019
April 06 2020
Stronger Together Broadcast Benefit
Stronger Together broadcast (TV/Radio/Online) raised over $6 million in donations for Food Banks Canada. The 90 minute special featured many performers including Ryan Renolds, Michael Buble, Justin Bieber and Bryan Adams. Tom performed an acoustic version of Life Is A Highway.
April 06 2020
October 17 2022
SOCAN Cultural Impact Award
Tom Cochrane was awarded the SOCAN Social Impact Award at the 33rd Annual SOCAN Awards held in Toronto, Ontario on October 17th 2022. The theme of the event was inspired by Tom's iconic song Life Is A Highway.
October 17 2022