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 RockThe Dream That Created the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction and Its Legendary Riff
Up next, the story of the most famous grammatically incorrect rock solvo in history. and The Legendary riff came to the guitarist in a dream… I Can’t Get No…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: America on Grammy Curses, George Martin, and the Inspiration for Sister Golden Hair
Coming up an interview with one of the 70s most prolific and successful bands… America! They blazed onto the scene as rookies with a #1 hit with A Horse With…
- Professor of Rock
The Therapy Sessions and Failed Screen Test That Inspired Neil Diamond’s I Am… I Said
Inspired by the experience of a failed screen test for a film about one of the most controversial comedians of the 20th century, Lenny Bruce…superstar…
- Professor of Rock
Rejected 100 Times: How George Harrison’s Something Became a Beatles Masterpiece
Today’s Classic song was Written on a piano in an empty studio, Thing is, today’s Legend never expected it to see the light of day. If only because he had been…
- Professor of Rock
From Tragedy to Triumph: The Story of Def Leppard’s Adrenalize Album
How do you follow up the biggest album of your career, a legitimate 80s landmark album, when two of your bandmates have gone MIA? That’s the situation today’s…
- Professor of Rock
Time After Time: Cyndi Lauper’s Inspirational Journey to Her #1 Hit – Interview with Rob Hyman
Coming up, a great underdog story of a rookie artist who went through hell to get to the top. Cyndi Lauper beat the odds to hit #1 in 1984 with Time After…
- Professor of Rock
Decoding White Rabbit: Grace Slick’s Journey Through the Looking Glass
Coming up…it’s the intriguing narrative behind one of the most surreal songs of the Rock Era. Crafted by a trailblazing musical performer known as "the Chrome…
- Professor of Rock
The Mad Scientist of Rock: Edgar Winter on His Groundbreaking Instrumentals
Here’s a number for you 13… Only 13 Instrumentals have hit the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100… Of those 13 as you may have guessed most are from Movies or TV…
- Professor of Rock
Jesse Colin Young on the Journey of the Youngbloods’ Get Together
Up next, one of the greatest feel-good one-hit wonders of the rock era. A song that changed everything and brought peace to a nation that was hurting from an…
- Professor of Rock
Ron Dante on Singing Sugar, Sugar for the Archies and Its Hidden Story
Coming up… an interview with a mystery singer who had 2 songs in the top 10 at the same time with 2 different bands but here’s the thing he never got any…
- Professor of Rock
How Blondie’s The Tide Is High Revived a "Hitless" Album and Made History
Coming up, we’re featuring a classic 1980 record from one of the most diverse bands of the era. The Tide is High By Blondie. Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Jimmy…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Queen’s Biggest U.S. Hit: Another One Bites the Dust
In 1980, the quiet, reserved, bassist for one of the most popular rock bands, created a track that LIT up disco balls in the clubs and blasted over the…
- Professor of Rock
The Turtles’ Happy Together: From the Worst Demo Ever to an Iconic Classic
Apparently, it was the world’s worst demo. Ever. No one wanted this song. Tons of artists passed over it. The sound quality was nearly unlistenable. And the…
- Professor of Rock
The Making of Slow Ride: Sex, Scrabble, and Classic Rock Magic
It starts out with a drum beat that is so abrupt, you feel as though your head might explode, and then one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in classic…
- Professor of Rock
Tommy James and Tiffany Discuss the Journey of I Think We’re Alone Now
Coming up, a couple of great interviews about a song that barely missed #1 with its original artist, and then decades later it hit the top of the charts … In…
- Professor of Rock
Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around: Stevie Nicks’ Solo Breakthrough with Tom Petty
Breaking free from an established band is never easy. Especially when it's one of the most iconic, commercially successful bands of all time. But today’s…
- Professor of Rock
Stewart Copeland Talks Early Police Hits and Controversy Around Roxanne and Can’t Stand Losing You
Coming up an interview with one of rock’s greatest drummers Stewart Copeland of the Police. Stewart tells the story of two radio-unfriendly tracks. Roxanne and…
- Professor of Rock
A Flock of Seagulls’ Mike Score on Creating MTV’s Most Viral Video in a Day
Sometimes it’s all about timing. Well today’s iconic guest Mike Score the singer and writer behind A Flock Of Seagulls and their new wave classic hits I Ran…
- Professor of Rock
Queen’s Double Trouble: The Stories Behind Fat Bottomed Girls and Bicycle Race
Today, we’re getting into a little bit of trouble. Or at least our featured band is. As some of the most iconic rockers in history, Queen including Freddie…
- Professor of Rock
How Toni Basil’s Mickey Became an MTV Classic and Weird Al Parody
Coming up… Toni Basil was headed for stardom in her early 20s with her first single for A&M Records, but it FLOPPED. so she started working in the industry as…
- Professor of Rock
The Mysteries Behind Steely Dan’s Do It Again: A 70s Rock Classic
It was a classic song with multiple storylines of danger, deceit, and despair- so cryptic, and even now decades later fans are still trying to figure out…
- Professor of Rock
Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here: Guilt, Loss, and Rock Immortality
Rock immortality. It’s a rarified state reserved for only a select few. And today’s featured band no doubt earned it with the release of their 8th studio…
- Professor of Rock
How The Mamas and the Papas Transformed California Dreamin’ Into a 60s Anthem
Coming up….we tell the story of the 1960s Classic hit California Dreaming’ by the Mamas and the Papas. First, the song was bestowed upon a famous folk singer…
- Professor of Rock
Decoding A Horse With No Name: An Exclusive Interview with America
Coming up a great interview with a band that ruled the 70s… Dewey Bunnel and Gerry Beckley from the group America and the story of their biggest hit A Horse…
- Professor of Rock
How Keep On Loving You Saved REO Speedwagon: Kevin Cronin Reflects
At the dawn of the 80s, Legendary American Rock band REO Speedwagon had their backs against the wall. They needed a hit record or they were finished. Their…
- Professor of Rock
The Chilling Inspiration Behind Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean
Coming up, it’s a massive smash hit that was inspired by not one, but multiple stalker encounters. And one of them was by one of the most demented groupies…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with The Association: The Story Behind Cherish and Their Rise to Fame
Coming up… an interview with some of the members of a band that has been somewhat forgotten in the time we live in... Which is strange because for a couple of…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Steppenwolf’s Born to Be Wild: The First Heavy Metal Anthem
Up next the story of One of the first hard rock songs to light up the charts… Some even call it the first Heavy Metal song…and you’ll understand why next… The…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Boston’s More Than a Feeling and Brad Delp’s Legendary Vocal
Forget the auto-tune. Today we’re going back to an era when singers could actually sing… unassisted. Just raw, pure, unadulterated talent. And in fact, we’re…
- Professor of Rock
Radiohead’s Creep: The Stalker Confession That Became a Generation’s Anthem
Coming up, it’s a song that spoke for a generation, but was never intended to. A throwaway track that this band didn’t much like, and one of the guitarists…
- Professor of Rock
All Along the Watchtower: The Dylan Song That Hendrix Elevated to Legendary Status
Coming up the story of an all-time rock classic that has 2 Legendary versions. All Along the Watchtower by Bob Dylan was actually covered by Guitar Virtuoso…
- Professor of Rock
It’s My Life: Mark Hollis, Talk Talk, and the Pursuit of Artistic Integrity
Coming up, the story of a brilliant reclusive artist who didn’t want any attention…. He just wanted to make music. Mark Hollis played the game for a while and…
- Professor of Rock
Livin’ on a Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive, and the Journey Behind Slippery When Wet
Coming up, the story of a rock record that we all owned. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi was the pinnacle of glam metal and hard rock... in the 80s you couldn’t…
- Professor of Rock
Did the Beatles Invent Heavy Metal with Helter Skelter? The Story Behind the Song
Two legends, Paul McCartney from the Beatles and Pete Townshend from The Who were talking shop back in the late 60s. Pete showed Paul his band’s new song I Can…
- Professor of Rock
How Three Dog Night Turned Harry Nilsson’s "One" into a Timeless Classic
In early 70s they were one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Some call them the first stadium rock band…they sold more records than anyone for a few…
- Professor of Rock
Why Rush’s "Limelight" Is One of Rock’s Greatest Compositions
Up next, the greatest band in the history of the planet… who NEVER had a top-20 hit. In fact, they only had one hit but to call them a one-hit wonder would be…
- Professor of Rock
David Gates’ Journey from Soft Rock Icon to a Life Out of the Spotlight
His voice was the soundtrack for the groovy 70s. He wrote songs with a band that mesmerized the Me Generation, and ushered in the genre of ‘soft rock. I’m…
- Professor of Rock
From Rock Bottom to Radio Dominance: Aerosmith’s Iconic Comeback
In the mid-80s one of the greatest bands ever couldn’t get arrested… They were down and out until, they had a hit with a rap group… Walk This Way was…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire: A History Lesson in a Song
One day Billy Joel was working on material for a new album he would later call Storm Front, when a famous friend came by with a guest, grumbling about how hard…
- Professor of Rock
When Paul Rodgers Teamed Up with Jimmy Page for The Firm’s Radioactive
Coming up an interview with one of the greatest rock singers in the history of our planet… Paul Rodgers who fronted Free, Bad Company, and Queen at different…
- Professor of Rock
How Creedence Clearwater Revival Outsold The Beatles with Fortunate Son in 1969
The incredible story of the Creedence Clearwater Revival “CCR” 1969 classic rock hit Fortunate Son. Written and performed by lead singer John Fogerty during…
- Professor of Rock
The Enigma of Question Mark and the #1 Hit 96 Tears
Today’s featured artist is one of the most mysterious frontmen you could ever meet. Legally changing his name to a symbol and he did it before Prince! He…
- Professor of Rock
How Prince Took Back "Kiss" and Turned It Into a Funky #1 Hit
Today, we’re dropping the needle on a track that a revolutionary artist wrote as a favor for his bandmate’s side project. When Prince and the Revolution…
- Professor of Rock
Kiss and the Ballad They Didn’t Want: The Saga of "Beth"
Coming up…the band who taught us how to rock KISS…like many band before them, hated their biggest hit. The ballad “Beth" was allegedly written by drummer Peter…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Stephen Bishop: The Stories Behind "Separate Lives" and "It Might Be You"
Coming up, an interview with a legendary singer-songwriter who’s had various hits but the biggest Hit he wrote…was sung by another artist, and then the biggest…
- Professor of Rock
The Iconic Bagpipes and Bon Scott: The Story Behind AC/DC’s "It’s a Long Way to the Top"
He was a small-time criminal… he was also a mailman… Then he was a chauffeur…He drove bands to and from shows. His name was Bon Scott… He went from being one…
- Professor of Rock
How Wham! Created the Holiday Classic "Last Christmas" Amid a Charity Challenge
Coming up, This group was on a tear to start the decade. Wham! starring legend George Michael and his pal Andrew Ridgely were on top of the world. but George…
- Professor of Rock
How a Mistake Made Loverboy’s "Working for the Weekend" a Rock Anthem
This 1982 rock classic is played every Friday when the weekend starts since it became a hit. Mike Reno, Lead Singer of canadian stadium rockers Loverboy tells…
- Professor of Rock
Led Zeppelin’s "Fool in the Rain": The Band’s Final Gamble
It was the final single in the storied career of one of the most hard-hitting, epic rock bands ever assembled. Fool in the Rain by Led Zeppelin. For a decade…
- Professor of Rock
"Tainted Love" and the British Invasion of the 80s: Soft Cell’s Iconic Hit
It may just be the greatest cover song of all time..If not, it deserves that distinction for the 80s. Tainted Love by Soft Cell. Marc Almond's hypnotic and…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Simon & Garfunkel's Iconic Hit "Mrs. Robinson"
Coming up, a song that contains arguably the most iconic line in the history of the rock era… Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio A Nation Turns its Lonely Eyes…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Dennis DeYoung on His Solo Hit "Desert Moon" and the End of Styx
Dennis DeYoung formerly of STYX tells the story of his only solo hit. Deseret Moon. Styx pretty much broke up after Kilroy Was Here and their massive but…
- Professor of Rock
Revisiting 1982’s Top 10 Rock Songs and Their Legacy
Today, we’re going behind the Top 10 rock songs from this very same week in the year 1982… Can you imagine, a top 10 billboard chart filled with all rock…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Pet Shop Boys' West End Girls and Its Journey to Becoming a Global Smash
The Compelling story of the Pet Shop Boys masterful 1986 #1 hit, West End Girls. A synth-pop miracle that put this duo on the map and started a career that so…
- Professor of Rock
Don Barnes of 38 Special on Caught Up in You and the Rivalry Behind Their Biggest Hits
Coming up an interview with 38 Special singer Don Barnes who’s band started out as with a southern rock sound but by the early 80s they were a straight ahead…
- Professor of Rock
How Eurythmics Created Sweet Dreams and Turned Heartbreak Into a Global Smash
Coming up a saga of two musicians that fell in love, and put a band together, but the band broke up, and so did their romantic relationship. Annie Lennox and…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Bow Wow Wow's I Want Candy and Its Journey as a Cultural Icon
It's known as one of the 80s most Iconic one hit wonders. It leads the pack of most infamous one hit wonders of all time! Only problem is "I Want Candy" by Bow…
- Professor of Rock
How Journey's Open Arms Went from Loathed to Loved and Became a Power Ballad Classic
How I learned to love a song I once hated… Journey and their #1 power ballad Open Arms…But I’m not the only one. Neal Schon the guitarist of Journey also…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Black Sabbath's Iron Man and How It Redefined Heavy Metal
Coming up Next. A song that came from a rock frontman’s desire to spit in the face of the "put a flower in your hair hippie persona" of the 60s. I’m talking…
- Professor of Rock
How Dire Straits Revolutionized Music and Replaced Disco Icons
The fact is Dire Straits interrupted disco in the late 70s with the classic song Sultans of Swing that would take radio hostage! with their unique sound and…