Shows / Professor of Rock
Professor of Rock
The ultimate rock music history podcast for fans of the greatest era of music. If you’ve ever wondered about the true stories behind your favorite songs, or wanted to hear directly from the legends who made them, Professor of Rock is your new go-to podcast. Hosted by music historian and superfan Adam Reader, this show brings the golden era of music back to life with exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and deep dives into the songs that shaped our lives. This podcast uncovers how…
Episodes
Professor of RockMy Top 5 Guilty Pleasure Songs – The Ones We Love But Won’t Admit
We all have those songs—the ones we blast in the car but quickly turn down when we come to a stoplight. You know what I’m talking about, songs we pretend not…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 10 Songs of 1975 – The Stories Behind the Year’s Biggest Hits
Coming up…. we tackle the challenge of ranking the top 10 songs from yet another legendary year in music. This list is jam-packed with unforgettable tracks…
- Professor of Rock
Joe Jackson’s Steppin’ Out – The Timeless 80s Classic with a 1920s Soul
Coming up next, a song by Joe Jackson called Steppin' Out. It is so haunting, fascinating, and unique, that it rose above the regular rock and pop fair of one…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 5 Vocal Performances of the 80s – The Most Powerful Voices of the Decade
Coming up, we’re breaking down seminal vocal performances that defined the ‘80s. One where John Bon Jovi hit such a high note, that he would never be able to…
- Professor of Rock
How 10,000 Maniacs Moved On After Natalie Merchant – The Story of More Than This
Coming up an interview with a band that was a major force in the 80s and 90s and you may have wondered whatever happened to them? I’m talking about 10,000…
- Professor of Rock
Stephen Pearcy on RATT’s Round and Round – The 80s Rock Hit That Deserved #1
In the 80s Def Leppard, AC DC, Bon Jovi, Poison, Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, and Whitesnake ruled rock radio. But we have lead singer Stephen Pearcy in our…
- Professor of Rock
The Rise and Disappearance of Paul Davis – The Man Behind “I Go Crazy”
Today we’re sharing the cold hard facts on the velvet-voiced soft rocker Paul Davis, a guy who looked like your next-door neighbor and ordinary average guy…
- Professor of Rock
Tracy Chapman’s Last-Minute Performance That Made “Fast Car” an Instant Classic
1988 was an absolute goldmine for music—an era of massive hits, legendary albums, and songs that still give us chills. Looking back, it’s wild how many…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Midge Ure: How Ultravox’s “Vienna” Became the Greatest #2 Hit Ever
Today’s song Vienna by Ultravox has been voted the greatest bridesmaid song in history. The Greatest #2 ever. Sadly it was kept out of the #1 spot by one of…
- Professor of Rock
5 Massive Hits That Became Too Taboo to Play – Featuring Cher, The Who & More
Coming up… we’re counting down 5 massive hits from the Rock Era that were once everywhere but have since become socially unacceptable. These songs topped the…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Foreigner: How “I Want to Know What Love Is” Became an Unstoppable #1 Hit
Today’s band Foreigner was a revelation in the '70s and '80s. A British band with an American singer, they set the FM radio dial on fire with half a dozen…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Brian Greenway: The Legacy of April Wine and Their Biggest Hits
Coming up next, the most requested band of the last year… April Wine. I’ve received over a thousand requests in our comment section for the last year to…
- Professor of Rock
The 80s Bands That Should Have Been Bigger – Featuring The Sundays, The Replacements & More
We’ve all been there—watching a movie we thought was amazing, only to find out that someone else absolutely hated it. Or going to a restaurant a friend swore…
- Professor of Rock
How Cheap Trick’s “The Flame” Became Their Biggest Hit—Despite Their Guitarist Hating It
Today we’re telling the story of Cheap Trick, a band who may have invented the phrase “Big in Japan.” These guys really struggled to get off the ground and…
- Professor of Rock
Bonnie Raitt’s Long Road to #1 – The Heartbreaking Story Behind “I Can’t Make You Love Me”
Many called Bonnie Raitt an overnight success when she swept the Grammys in 1989… but today’s guitar-toting songstress was actually two decades and ten studio…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 10 Songs of 1973 – And the Classic Hit Everyone Mispronounces
Coming up, we're celebrating 10 songs from one of the greatest years in music, 1973. It was a year when we were gifted with songs that rejuvenated our souls…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Smokey Robinson: How a Late-Night Call Turned a Struggling Song Into a #1 Hit
Coming up next an interview with a true legend… Smokey Robinson. I’ve been wanting to talk to him for a long time because he has one the greatest voices of any…
- Professor of Rock
How Little River Band’s “Reminiscing” Became the Most Played Australian Song in America
Coming up, it’s the most played song by an Australian act and if you took 100 guesses you get it wrong. It’s not a song from Men At Work or AC/DC or INXS, it’s…
- Professor of Rock
5 Underrated 80s Hits – Including the Song Two Iconic Bands Rejected That Became a Classic
Coming up I’m gonna take you back to the 80s as we count down five Phenomenal songs from the decade that are severely underplayed..maximum velocity tracks that…
- Professor of Rock
The Greatest Comeback Songs of All Time – Featuring Tina Turner, Donny Osmond & Elvis
Coming up, we’ve got another great countdown, spotlighting songs that brought some of music’s biggest legends back into the spotlight— it's the top comeback…
- Professor of Rock
How The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” Defied Critics and Became a Global Hit
Coming up, a tale of twin brothers of The Proclaimers who were told by all the tastemakers that if they wanted to make it in music they should learn to sing…
- Professor of Rock
The 10 Greatest Songs of 1965 – A Year That Changed Music Forever
1965 was a landmark year in music because it marked a moment when creativity, experimentation, and cultural change collided. It was the year rock music found…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Jess Harnell: The Rock Impersonator So Good, He Got Sued for It
Coming up, an interview with the greatest rock impersonator ever, Jess Harnell, and one of the funniest most entertaining stars in the business. He’s become a…
- Professor of Rock
The Rise of Rush: How Neil Peart Transformed Rock’s Most Overlooked Band
Today it’s the origin story of rock’s greatest drummer Neil Peart and how a failed pilgrimage to England brought him face-to-face with his destiny. Namely, a…
- Professor of Rock
5 Songs That Might Change Your Mind About This Controversial Rock Genre
Is this the most hated genre on the Professor of Rock channel? I don’t know. You tell me. Whenever I release videos from this genre I never know what’s going…
- Professor of Rock
The Top Cover Songs of the 80s – Hits That Outshone the Originals
Get ready to rewind more unforgettable sounds of the '80s as we count down the Top Cover Songs of a decade full of them. From unexpected twists on classics to…
- Professor of Rock
The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” – The Greatest Song Never Released as a Single
In the 60s The Beatles threw away the rule book. They were used to writing catchy #1 hits but with today’s brilliant concept album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 10 Songs of 1980 – Hits That Defined a New Decade
The year 1980 was a fascinating time for music…. The decade was ushered in by some bold songs by artists who pushed their own boundaries to stay relevant and…
- Professor of Rock
How The Cure’s “Lovesong” Went from Wedding Gift to Breakout Hit
Today’s track Lovesong by The Cure is extremely complicated. First of all, it only exists because its creator Robert Smith saved its lyrics from a house fire…
- Professor of Rock
How a DJ’s Mistake Made The Doobie Brothers’ “Black Water” a #1 Hit
Coming up next we break down the evolution of the Doobie Brothers named after a drug and half the band didn’t know what it was! Today we have four famous…
- Professor of Rock
Journey’s “Separate Ways” – The Most Epic Rock Song with the Worst Music Video
It’s the voice that saved an underperforming jam band and kicked off an arena rock revolution. After three hitless albums in the 70s, this Journey was on the…
- Professor of Rock
Why Science Rates This Legend's Voice as the Greatest Ever
'Go to http://www.hometitlelock.com/professorofrock and use promo code ROCK30 to get a 30-day FREE trial of Triple Lock Protection and a FREE title history…
- Professor of Rock
Revisiting the Top 10 Songs of 1983 – What Still Stands the Test of Time?
Today we are going back to the classic year of 1983 and counting down the top 10 songs of this same week and then we’re going to put the actual top 10 plus…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 10 Songs of 1971 – A Year That Defined Rock Music
1971 was a game-changing year in music history—a period when creativity exploded across genres, legendary albums dropped left and right, and artists redefined…
- Professor of Rock
How Wang Chung’s “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” Went from Criticism to 80s Anthem
Coming up, Wang Chung, a band that finishes many of the top one-hit wonder countdowns but the problem is..the band had 5 hits including 3 everyone knows and…
- Professor of Rock
How a Simple Spelling Change Turned This Song into a #1 Smash Hit
Coming up next, Lost interview footage I didn’t know I had with one of the greatest band’s in recorded history. and there are Some real revelations here. An…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 5 “Don’t Give a Damn” Songs – Anthems of Rebellion and Freedom
We’ve all felt that pressure to act a certain way just because someone else expects it. That’s when a solid "don’t give a damn" anthem can really hit the spot…
- Professor of Rock
How Pink Floyd’s “Echoes” Transformed 24 Songs into a Psychedelic Masterpiece
Today we’ve got a super-sized episode coming your way… featuring Pink Floyd's Echoes, a song so epic that it began as 24 separate songs. Songs that the band…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Rob Halford: How “You Got Another Thing Comin’” Became a Metal Anthem
Coming up next one of rock’s great frontmen Rob Halford of Judas Priest tells the story of the 80s classic You Got Another Thing Coming that became the mantra…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 10 Songs of 1985 – Hits That Defined an Incredible Year in Music
You know, I agree with a lot of music historians who have called 1984 the greatest year in music. There were a ton of great songs and albums released that…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Dale Bozzio: The Wild Story of Missing Persons and Their Almost-Hits
Coming up next an interview you won’t be able to take your eyes off of. I tracked down a lost paragon of the 80s. Dale Bozzio from Missing Persons This…
- Professor of Rock
Why The Police Secretly Broke Up at Their Peak – And How Sting Moved On
After 4 straight #1 Albums in their Native UK and a #1 album in America that contained the #1 song of the year The Police were the biggest band in the world…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 5 Feel-Good Songs of All Time – Hits That Lift the Soul
Music has the power to change the course of human behavior. It’s truly the best medicine for the soul. When you're stuck in a funk, frustrated with everything…
- Professor of Rock
The Chaos Behind Aerosmith’s Biggest Hits – From “Sweet Emotion” to “Janie’s Got a Gun”
Today we’re giving you a front-row seat for a behind-the-scenes look at Aerosmith, one of the most chaotic, bad-boy rock bands ever. This five-piece knew how…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Carlos Santana: The Story Behind “Black Magic Woman” and His Unexpected Comeback
Coming up, an interview with Carlos Santana, a musical genius, a guru of the highest order, and a saint. You have to see this interview. So try to follow this…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 5 Musical Disses of the 70s – From Paul McCartney to Carly Simon
You know, the best songs often come from a whirlwind of emotions—whether it's fiction, non-fiction, or somewhere in between. The heart and soul behind the…
- Professor of Rock
How a Lost Wallet Led The 5th Dimension to a #1 Hit
Coming up next, it's a story that you have to hear to believe. Today’s band The 5th Dimension was coming off a huge song that took ‘em to the top of the charts…
- Professor of Rock
How Sugarloaf Beat the One-Hit Wonder Curse – And Accidentally Called the White House
Today’s bass line broke 70s radio! It was from the song was Green Eyed Lady by the rookie band Sugarloaf, and it flew out of the gates with mysterious lyrics…
- Professor of Rock
How Tom Jones Turned Two Unlikely Songs into Timeless Classics
Coming up…. Tom Jones, one of the greatest singers of all time, and the story of two of his classic songs that we all know by heart: It's Not Unusual and…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 10 Songs of 1984 – Celebrating the Greatest Year in Pop Music
Billboard Magazine called 1984 as the ‘greatest year ever in pop music.’ I don’t often agree with the music press, but I have to say that I concur with that…
- Professor of Rock
How AC/DC Overcame Tragedy to Create Back in Black – The Biggest-Selling Rock Album Ever
Today’s band AC/DC was blowing up radio and arena when their frontman Bon Scott passed away in a most horrible fashion. The band was devastated and had no idea…
- Professor of Rock
5 More of the Most Controversial Songs of the Rock Era – Banned, Censored, and Blacklisted
Coming up, back by popular demand: we’ve already done five. And now we’re doing five more. It’s another countdown of the most controversial songs from the Rock…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Johnny Mathis: The Story Behind “Chances Are” and His Iconic Christmas Album
Johnny Mathis, the 3rd Biggest Selling Solo Artist in History tells the story of both his Christmas album and his #1 hit Chances Are. Johnny Mathis tells how…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with The Romantics: How Legal Battles Stalled Their Career for 11 Years
Coming up, Wally Palmer and Mike Skill of the famous 80s rock band The Romantics set the record straight on a true mystery… First of all, they had two huge…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Neal Schon: The Story Behind Journey’s Iconic Solos and a Connection to “Purple Rain”
Coming up next, one of the greatest living guitarists Journey's Neal Schon tells the story of two of the 80s most famous solos: One he played the hell out of…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Peter Hook: How New Order’s “Blue Monday” Became a Legendary Loss Leader
The complicated story of the best-selling 12-inch single of the 1980s. New Order’s Blue Monday from 1983 would become the stuff of legend. Up next former…
- Professor of Rock
The Untold Story of Bob Dylan’s “Lay Lady Lay” – A Song He Didn’t Want Released
It was a song unlike anything he’d done before—a complete departure from the rough edges and restless spirit that made him the voice of a generation. With his…
- Professor of Rock
The Lost Led Zeppelin Song That Could Have Been Their Greatest Anthem
Today we’re talking lost songs, underrated classics, and B-sides that should have been A-sides… all coming from the rock’s mightiest band Led Zeppelin… It’s a…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Kansas: How “Dust in the Wind” Started as a Guitar Exercise and Became a Classic
Today’s classic band Kansas was coming off a massive rock hit Carry On Wayward Son and album Leftoveture and needed to keep the momentum going. And the answer…
- Professor of Rock
Singer Had Last Laugh When He Outsold His Band with the Very Song They Rejected
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