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 RockEvery Rose Has Its Thorn: The Song Bret Michaels Wrote in Heartbreak and Betrayal
Coming up the story of one of the greatest #1 hit singalongs of the late 80s, Every Rose Has It’s Thorn… From Poison’s hard rock frontman Bret Michaels who was…
- Professor of Rock
Journey’s Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’: A Cheating Scandal That Sparked a 70s Classic
Here’s a question. If you found out one of your favorite bands intentionally tried to sell out, would you like them less? Or would it even matter? Well…
- Professor of Rock
Mick Jones’ Fiery Solo on Hot Blooded Set the Stage—and His Amp—Ablaze
So all I have to say is FINALLY. Today we hear from Foreigner’s legendary vocal and guitar tandem of Lou Gramm and Mick Jones that set the 70s and 80s ablaze…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Orleans’ Still the One: Written During Laundry Duty
What a story. Coming up next we have principles John Hall and Lance Hoppen from the 70s band Orleans. These guys lit up radio for a couple of years with 3 big…
- Professor of Rock
Why Mark Knopfler Walked Away After Dire Straits Sold 30 Million Albums
It’s a B-side track turned Top 10 hit, Walk of Life by Dire Straits. And it ended the run of the world’s biggest band in 1985 and 1986. But don’t blame the…
- Professor of Rock
London Calling: The Clash’s Warning That Resonates Stronger Than Ever
It’s the tremendous story of the 1979 song London Calling by the Clash. In the late 70s, the world’s most influential punk band was convinced the world was…
- Professor of Rock
Jesus Jones’ Right Here Right Now: The 90s Anthem That Captured a World Changing
Coming up, it's one of the most important interviews I’ve ever done. Right Here Right Now by Jesus Jones has the distinction of conveying a revolutionary…
- Professor of Rock
How a Legal Battle and a Legendary Cover Turned Jet Airliner Into a Hit
Coming up… Get ready for a tale of resilience and redemption as we delve into the story of Jet Airliner… a song that was trapped on an unreleased album by Paul…
- Professor of Rock
How Ace Frehley Outsold Kiss With His Solo Record and Proved Everyone Wrong
Coming up, we’re going back to one of our newest shows on Professor of Rock. One that has us digging deep into the catalog of the world’s greatest party band…
- Professor of Rock
Gimme Shelter: The Iconic Vocal That Left Mick Jagger Speechless
Coming up… the story behind one of the most amazing, impromptu vocal performances of the Rock Era. Guest vocalist Merry Clayton on the Rolling Stones's Gimme…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Eric Carmen’s Timeless Hits: All By Myself, Hungry Eyes, and More
RIP Eric Carmen… the iconic artist who sang the lead vocal on several, iconic classics, but he never liked his voice. His dream wasn’t to be a singer… In fact…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Spooky: From Instrumental to Southern Rock Standard
Coming up, how a guitar-playing welder & his fishing buddy, gave a lyrical makeover to a cheesy instrumental and transformed it into one of the coolest songs…
- Professor of Rock
Behind It Might Be You: Stephen Bishop Reflects on His Oscar-Nominated Hit
Coming up an interview with a hilarious singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop who is revered for his lyricism and style… on a song that became his biggest solo hit…
- Professor of Rock
No Rain: The Bittersweet Tale of Blind Melon’s Brightest Hit
Coming up… It’s one of the most instantly recognizable songs and iconic music videos of the rock era: No Rain by Blind Melon. It instantly blew up radio and…
- Professor of Rock
25 or 6 to 4: How Peter Cetera Sang a Smash Hit With His Jaw Wired Shut
Coming up, the story of Chicago’s 70s classic “25 or 6 to 4” a song with a killer guitar riff by Terry Kath, a high-octane vocal by Peter Cetera, and a meaning…
- Professor of Rock
The Wild Stories Behind Weird Al’s Most Famous Parody Rejections
So today we’re at it again. You asked for it and now we’re delivering the goods. We’re telling the stories of even more artists who rejected Weird Al…
- Professor of Rock
The Sound of Silence: How a Remix Without Permission Made Music History
Coming up…. the story of the breakout smash The Sound of Silence by one of the most prolific duos of the Rock Era, Simon and Garfunkel. When The Sound of…
- Professor of Rock
Bob Seger’s Live Anthem Turn the Page: Born from Conflict, Revived by Metallica
Coming up…..The legendary Bob Seger and his Silver Bullet Band would play a brutal run of 265 live shows in a horrendous year on the road. And it would all…
- Professor of Rock
The Untold Tale of "I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am" Straight from Peter Noone
Coming up… an interview with an icon of early rock and roll, Peter Noone. Peter was only 15 years old when he became the singer behind Herman’s Hermits who…
- Professor of Rock
Debbie Harry Wrote This #1 Hit in 10 Minutes While Watching Wrestling
Coming up. Rockstar couple Debbie Harry and Chris Stein from Blondie were sitting on the couch watching Pro Wrestling and in the midst of the action they wrote…
- Professor of Rock
The Cranberries Almost Got Dropped by Their Label Until “Linger” Changed Everything
It started with an audition… a strange girl named Dolores O’Riordan in a pink tracksuit walked in to try out to be a singer for an indie band that was going…
- Professor of Rock
“Love Will Tear Us Apart”: Joy Division’s Anthem of Heartbreak, Hate, and Tragedy
Coming up, it’s the story of fallen frontman Ian Curtis and Joy Division, a band widely considered one of the most important of their era. Ian was tortured…
- Professor of Rock
“Heroes” by David Bowie: The Iconic Anthem That Defied the Charts
The wondrous story of an all-time classic song from the 70s that everyone knows by heart. But the crazy thing is…it was never actually a hit… It’s Heroes by…
- Professor of Rock
How a Translation Error Turned “Venus” Into a #1 Smash—Twice!
Here’s one for ya… Today’s song Venus by Shocking Blue was written in a different language… When it was translated to English, guitarist Robbie van Leeuwen…
- Professor of Rock
How Lynyrd Skynyrd Predicted Their Downfall With “That Smell”
It was only a matter of time, but today’s featured band was going down in flames. One of their album covers even predicted it. And so did one of their songs……
- Professor of Rock
Rock, Disco, and Stalkers: Unpacking 1979’s Top 10 Chart Hits
It’s a blast from the past from the golden age of rock. Today, we’re going behind the Top 10 songs from this very same week in the year 1979 to find out which…
- Professor of Rock
A Whiter Shade of Pale: The Cryptic Classic That Dominated 1967’s Summer of Love
Coming up, the story of a song that writers Gary Brooker and Keith Reid said was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum…
- Professor of Rock
Mad World: How Tears for Fears Turned Childhood Trauma Into an 80s Classic
Coming up the story behind a song about the trauma the artist endured during his childhood. Mad World by Tears for Fears came from a very dark place. Singer…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Your Mama Don’t Dance: How Messina Turned His Dad’s Rock Hate Into a 70s Classic
Coming up next, an interview with both members of one of the greatest groups or duos of the 70s… Loggins and Messina on a song that was charmed from the…
- Professor of Rock
How America’s Ventura Highway Inspired Prince and Confused Fans with Its Mystical Lyrics
Coming up an interview with one of the biggest-selling bands of the 70s, America led by Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and Dan Peek. Here the 2 principals Dewey…
- Professor of Rock
How The Doors Hustled Their Way to Success After Break on Through Flopped
Up next a story that will shock you. One of rock’s most legendary bands ever... the Doors had a helluva time before they broke out. First of all they almost…
- Professor of Rock
Afternoon Delight: The Sexy Singalong That Took the 70s by Storm
Coming up… A song that has been hailed as one of the sexiest ever recorded, yet it's also landed on lists for being one of the worst songs of all time…
- Professor of Rock
John Fogerty Sued for Sounding Like Himself: The Bizarre Story Behind His 1985 Hit
Coming up, we’re putting some of the most iconic musicians on trial. and giving you some of the craziest lawsuits in history along with their verdicts… From…
- Professor of Rock
The Monkees vs. Their Producer: How "I’m a Believer" Became the #1 Hit of the Year
Even though they were branded as the 2nd coming of the Beatles…today’s band wasn’t actually a band at all. The Monkees were the ultimate pretenders… actors…
- Professor of Rock
The Beach Boys Passed on It, But "Seasons in the Sun" Made History
Coming up… it started out as a disturbing French song about death... Then it was translated into English and recorded by one of the biggest bands in rock…
- Professor of Rock
The Wild Story Behind "Close My Eyes Forever," Ozzy's Biggest Hit
Coming up… Legendary female rock star Lita Ford was visiting with her famous manager, Sharon Osborne who happened to be married to arguably the most famous…
- Professor of Rock
How AC/DC Created the Greatest Rock Riffs Ever—and Almost Lost One Forever
So the other day I tried counting down the all-time greatest rock riffs ever put to vinyl… by anyone… ever.… with a friend. And the crazy thing is, my top 5…
- Professor of Rock
"Tequila": The Accidental B-Side That Took The Champs to #1
Coming up an interview with a true pioneer of rock and roll, Dave Burgess of The Champs…. He and his band recorded a single that the label was sure would be a…
- Professor of Rock
How Weezer’s Blue Album Became a Classic and Why a Fan Offered $10M for Them to Quit
To the world, WEEZER appears to be one of the most happy-go-lucky bands around. Just four nerdy musicians led by Rivers Cuomo rocking out with crunchy guitars…
- Professor of Rock
How a Misread Road Sign Led to John Denver’s Classic Take Me Home, Country Roads
Coming up, we go back to the making of a song that came from the basement sessions of an artist that originally wanted to work for the CIA. Songwriting couple…
- Professor of Rock
The Untold Story of U2’s Pride (In the Name of Love): 20-Hour Days and a Race Against Time
Coming up, it’s the story of one of the greatest rock songs of the 80s. Pride in the Name of Love by U2. and it all started with a museum exhibit. U2 was on…
- Professor of Rock
Beck’s Loser: How Self-Deprecation Turned Into a 90s Rock Revolution
Coming up, the story of an unlucky artist that bootstrapped from coast to coast trying to get his big break. “Ironically, his breakthrough hit came from a…
- Professor of Rock
With a Little Help from My Friends: Joe Cocker’s Defining Woodstock Moment
How do you top the greatest band of all time? You can’t… The Beatles are the most popular group in history because of their flawless song craft…songs that have…
- Professor of Rock
Don’t Change: The INXS Classic That Defined a Generation
coming up … I actually have a tool that tells me what the most requested song story is from you...our viewers and today we're covering it with an exclusive…
- Professor of Rock
"Sabotage": The Furious Anthem Born Out of a Producer’s Outburst
I’m not going to lie, today’s song might hurt a little. That’s because this killer track is like a Kick in the teeth. It’s as hard as nails, and so ferocious…
- Professor of Rock
How Weird Al’s "Amish Paradise" Sparked Backlash From a Furious Icon
Coming up, it’s the unbelievable story of 5 artists who passed on collaborating with one of the most iconic musicians of the past four decades. Weird Al…
- Professor of Rock
Is "Come Sail Away" About Aliens? The Truth Behind Styx’s Signature Song
Coming up a wonderful conversation with one of the 70s and 80s great rock frontmen… Dennis DeYoung formerly of Styx about his old band’s signature song. Styx…
- Professor of Rock
Rick Springfield’s Double Life: Soap Star, Rocker, and the Truth Behind "Don’t Talk to Strangers"
Was he a soap star turned rocker? Or a rockstar who just happened to play a doctor on TV? Back in the early 80s, this was a ridiculous debate that the music…
- Professor of Rock
Janis Joplin’s "Piece of My Heart": The Song That Crowned the Queen of Rock
Coming up, the story of a song that epitomized the struggles, the triumphs, and the tragedy surrounding the artist that performed its signature interpretation…
- Professor of Rock
Joe Walsh’s Wildest Rock ‘n’ Roll Antics Behind the 70s Classic "Life’s Been Good"
This the craziest rock and roll story you’ll ever hear….“In 1979, Eagles Hall of Fame guitarist Joe Walsh, announced he was running for President of the United…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Feel Like Makin’ Love, Paul Rodgers on Bad Company's Explosive 70s Classic
Coming up an interview with a certified finalist for the heavyweight title of the greatest rock singer in history on a classic rock staple. Paul Rodgers has…
- Professor of Rock
How an Exchange Student Launched Roxette's Meteoric Rise in the U.S.
Coming up, it’s a band who owes much of their massive success to a random foreign exchange student. The band Roxette comprised of singer Marie Fredriksson and…
- Professor of Rock
How Rainy Days and Mondays Became a Pop Masterpiece: The Carpenters’ Journey
Coming up, the story of one of the most emotionally charged hits of the rock era- Raindy Days and Mondays by the Carpenters was written by a budding songwriter…
- Professor of Rock
How Faith No More’s Epic Ignited Rap Metal and Took the Band to Stardom
Coming up. A crazy rock story…Code words and mystery lyrics, a decades-long feud with a rival band, sweet stolen dance moves, the parting of the Red Sea, and…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Tom Johnston and Pat Simmons: The Story Behind Listen to the Music
Coming up next the two key members of the rock and roll chapter of one the world’s greatest classic bands: the Doobie Brothers tell us a truly funny story. Tom…
- Professor of Rock
The Evolution of Led Zeppelin: 5 Tracks That Define the Lords of Rock
Coming up, we’re bringing you an entirely new show on Professor of Rock. I’m really excited about this one. And I think you’re going to Dig it too. It’s a new…
- Professor of Rock
I’m Not In Love: The Awkward Conversation That Sparked a 70s Classic
Coming up… a 70s classic that had 624 voices that originated from only 3 singers…. I’m Not In Love by 10CC. First of all the song came from an awkward…
- Professor of Rock
ELO, Hidden Messages, and the 70s Satanic Panic: The Story Behind Sweet Talkin’ Woman and Fire On High
Coming up. Let’s dive into the bizarre and sensational era of the Satanic Panic, a time when songs were accused of harboring "evil" hidden messages, and bands…
- Professor of Rock
Wild Thing: The Joke Song That Made Millions and Changed Rock Forever
Today we’re literally giving you three chords and the truth with a song that has left an indelible mark on rock history… Wild Thing by the TROGGS... Written…
- Professor of Rock
Exclusive Interview with Stewart Copeland: The Stories Behind Message in a Bottle and Walking on the Moon
Coming up, an interview with one of the greatest drummers in rock and roll history, Stewart Copeland of the Police on their first two #1 hits, Message in a…