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 Story of "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen: A $50 Hit That Changed Music
The story of Louie Louie by The Kingsmen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…
- Professor of Rock
The Chilling Tale of a Kidnapped Musician Forced to Write a Hit Song
Coming up, the terrifying story of a songwriter named John D. Loudermilk who was kidnapped by three men while sleeping in the backseat of his car during a…
- Professor of Rock
Eddie Van Halen Interrupted Sammy Hagar During Sex to Write "Finish What Ya Started"
Coming up, we’re giving you a rare inside look at one of the most power-packed partnerships of the rock era. Two mighty musicians at the top of their game went…
- Professor of Rock
The Emotional Power of The Beatles’ "Let It Be" and Its Timeless Legacy
The Beatles...They are easily the biggest band ever. But after they broke up officially in 1970, the world hoped for a day they would reunite. but It seemed…
- Professor of Rock
The Dark Meaning Behind Men at Work’s 1983 Hit "Down Under"
This catchy/happy singalong hit was actually written after Men Without Hats singer Ivan Doroschuk was kicked out of a club for moshing. He went home in…
- Professor of Rock
The Meaning of Eagles’ "Hotel California": A Dark Allegory of the American Dream
A Latin-flavored riff developed into an allegorical masterpiece and the signature song for America’s band. Hotel California by Eagles became their signature…
- Professor of Rock
Why Beastie Boys Hated Their Own Hit "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)
Coming up, we’ve got the story of three mischievous New Yorkers who disavowed one of the biggest songs… Mike D, Ad-Rock, and MCA otherwise known as the Beastie…
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The Rise and Fall of John Parr: "St. Elmo’s Fire" and the Betrayal That Silenced Him
Coming up… an interview with the mysterious disappearing rocker of the 80s. John Parr had a massive #1 hit in the mid-80s… a song he co-wrote and recorded in…
- Professor of Rock
How Fleetwood Mac’s "The Chain" Held the Band Together During the Turmoil of Rumours
It’s a track that slowly builds energy, perseverance, & resolve. It’s a Frankenstein song… with 3 completely different songs stitched together AND IT’S THE…
- Professor of Rock
The Controversial Rise and Fall of Frankie Goes to Hollywood: "Relax" and Its Global Impact
It’s the rise and fall of one of the most controversial bands of the 80s… Frankie Goes To Hollywood a band that many here in the US think of as a one-hit…
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The Mystery Behind ELO’s "Livin’ Thing": Jeff Lynne’s Lyrics Decoded
Coming up, the story behind one of the many genius tracks created by one of the most shy and reluctant stars of the Rock Era. Jeff Lynne ELO otherwise known as…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Mark Weitz: The Story Behind Strawberry Alarm Clock's "Incense and Peppermints"
In 1967, the illustrious Summer of Love, A psychedelic sunshine pop standard, hit number one on the US charts, Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm…
- Professor of Rock
How "Walk Like an Egyptian" Broke Up The Bangles
It’s a song with a storied history and a bittersweet legacy. But you’d never know just listening to it. That’s because this is one of those happy-go-lucky pop…
- Professor of Rock
Graham Nash on Betting $500 to Write a Hit and the Story of "Our House"
Coming up the story of a song that was written on a bet… Graham Nash was staying with a friend in Hawaii and was getting ready to leave the island to go home…
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Sammy Hagar on Writing "I Can’t Drive 55" and Its Accidental Protest Legacy
Sammy Hagar was in Montrose. At the time they were called America’s answer to Led Zeppelin and it wasn’t even the biggest band he’d be a part of…. Since he…
- Professor of Rock
How Justin Hayward Saved The Moody Blues with 'Nights in White Satin'
Coming up... the story of a band on the brink of destruction. They had no direction, no identity, and no money. The Moody Blues lead singer & frontman had left…
- Professor of Rock
How Damn Yankees Created 'High Enough' and the Supergroup’s Surprising End
Today we’re talking supergroups. And in particular one of the most unexpected collaborations of the 1980s. Damn Yankees. This band featured three big-time…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Phil Collins and Philip Bailey's 1985 Hit 'Easy Lover'
So how much is too much of a good thing? Well, today’s artist Phil Collins may epitomize the answer. This radio titan got off to a strong start in the 70s, was…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Mark Farner: The Story of Grand Funk Railroad's 'I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)'
In an exclusive interview, Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk Railroad or just Grand Funk tells the story of a song the came to him while praying. I'm Your…
- Professor of Rock
How The Cure Balanced Doom and Pop with 'Friday I’m in Love'
Coming up… The Cure were underground for years making music that the outcasts embraced but then all of a sudden in the late 80s they started getting played on…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Stone Temple Pilots' 'Plush' and Its Mysterious Lyrics
Coming up, it’s a smash hit from a band that was absolutely hammered by the rock press… At the center of a smear campaign, they called ‘em knock-offs…
- Professor of Rock
How Ray Parker Jr. Created the Iconic 'Ghostbusters' Theme Song
Coming up. IN 1984 a film starring SNL alumni Bill Murray and Dan Ackroyd called Ghostbusters needed a theme song badly but scores of artists had tried or been…
- Professor of Rock
Alan Parsons on 'Eye in the Sky' and His Role in Rock History with Pink Floyd and The Beatles
Coming up, it’s a musical genius who was in the room for some of the biggest chapters in rock history: Alan Parsons. He was with Pink Floyd on their landmark…
- Professor of Rock
How Blondie's 'Call Me' Became a #1 Smash and Defined the 1980s
It was the biggest song of 1980, by a band that defied all classification. Blondie. I mean you just couldn’t put this band in a box. With connections to new…
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The Haunting Legacy of Jim Morrison and The Doors' 'Riders on the Storm'
Up next, the last musical will and testament of an all-time legend. Jim Morrison of the Doors! Taken from the planet at the age of 27… Today’s song, Riders on…
- Professor of Rock
How Warrant’s 'Cherry Pie' Became a Glam Metal Anthem and a Genre’s Swan Song
The story of Glam Metal band Warrant and their MASSIVE 1990 Hit Cherry Pie! Written by lead singer Jani Lane. The song may've been a curse. Jani said as much…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind The Charlie Daniels Band's 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia'
Coming up…. an electrifying tale about a fateful encounter between a musical prodigy and the devil himself. Set against the backdrop of the American South, the…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Paul Rodgers: The Story Behind Bad Company’s Iconic Song 'Bad Company'
Coming up, an interview with an artist who is on the shortlist of greatest singers ever. Part 2 of our sit down with Paul Rodgers who made his bones with many…
- Professor of Rock
How Queen and David Bowie Created the Iconic Duet 'Under Pressure'
It’s arguably the greatest duet ever recorded and well it almost didn’t happen. Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie. So First of all the iconic bass riff…
- Professor of Rock
JD Souther on Writing 'New Kid in Town' and the Eagles’ Rise to Legendary Status
Coming up, Eagles were the most popular band in the world when they released the landmark 70s album Hotel California... It became a #1 hit and made them even…
- Professor of Rock
How Pink Floyd’s "Another Brick in the Wall" Became a Controversial #1 Hit
The backstory of today’s classic rock epic reads like the front page of The National Enquirer. Another Brick In The Wall by Pink Floyd from their landmark…
- Professor of Rock
The Perfectionism Behind Steely Dan’s "Peg" and Its Legendary Backstory
Many have speculated on the real story behind this historic 70s classic. Peg by Steely Dan is an all-time. But the duo of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind "Good Lovin’" by The Young Rascals
The story of Good Lovin’ by the Young Rascals or later known as just the Rascals. Every now and again you hear a song that has so much magic, you know it’s…
- Professor of Rock
Eric Clapton’s Emotional Journey Behind “Tears in Heaven”
Written in just 10 minutes, today’s songwriting virtuoso, Elton John had this landmark track ready to go before his bandmates woke up for breakfast… Staying in…
- Professor of Rock
How a DJ Accidentally Saved The O’Jays with “Love Train”
Coming up… a 70s classic that has one of the most iconic opening lines of the decade… Sign says long-haired freaky people need not apply was a happy accident…
- Professor of Rock
How the B-52s’ “Rock Lobster” Defined a Decade Early
Skinny ties and mullets… A quirky band named the Cars with two singers (Ric Ocasek and Benjamin Orr) who split the difference between rock and new wave and…
- Professor of Rock
The Misquoted Lyric That Became a Fan Favorite: Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind”
Bad Moon Rising, written by John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival was released in 1969… It stands as a timeless musical monument to one of the most…
- Professor of Rock
How MTV’s Late-Night Play Propelled The Proclaimers to #1 with “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”
Dangerous, volatile, and even outright destructive, today’s band is what rock is all about. Guns N’ Roses Broke onto the scene in the mid-80s, their…
- Professor of Rock
How “Jessie’s Girl” Went from a Joke to an 80s Anthem
We’re heading back to the Summer of 1985, to immerse ourselves in song so saturated with nostalgia euphoria that you may never want to take it off repeat…
- Professor of Rock
The Hidden Meaning Behind “Hotel California” by Eagles
A hit song can come from anywhere… a billboard, a magazine cover, a summer romance, a TV evangelist, or… maybe the idea for a song could come from a cheap…
- Professor of Rock
How Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” Became an Instant Hit
Coming up… an interview with one of rock’s most legendary singers… Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury, Ann Wilson of Heart, they’ve all cited him as the great one…
- Professor of Rock
The Timeless Message of John Lennon’s “Imagine”
Coming up... this song was written to be part of a rock opera that legendary guitarist Pete Townshend of the Who wanted to make into a film but he couldn’t get…
- Professor of Rock
How Stephen King Inspired AC/DC’s “Who Made Who” for Maximum Overdrive
The first 500 people to use our link: https://skl.sh/professorofrock1023 will get access to one of Skillshare’s best offers: 30 days free AND 40% off your…
- Professor of Rock
The Pressure on Fleetwood Mac’s “Tusk” to Break Even
What do Queen’s We Will Rock You, The Beatles’ Come Together, Aerosmith’s Walk This Way, and AC/DC’s Back in Black all have in common? Well, today’s featured…
- Professor of Rock
The High Stakes Behind Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” Success
Coming up an interview with one of the pioneers of Thrash Metal: Anthrax... In our exclusive interview, we’ll find out why guitarist Scott Ian from Anthrax’s…
- Professor of Rock
The Rise and Disappearance of Looking Glass and “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)”
Coming up….the saga of how a teenage girl at a clothing store completely bewitched a journeyman lead singer- Who wrote a song just minutes after meeting her…
- Professor of Rock
The Rise and Fall of Milli Vanilli: From Fame to Infamy
Sometimes you just gotta kick back and let it rock. And that’s what today’s song is all about. One of the 80s’ ultimate party anthems, Poison and their hit…
- Professor of Rock
How Eric Clapton’s Heartbreak Inspired “Layla”
There’ve been hundreds of hits based on the apotheosis baby I made a horrible mistake and I want you back but this one is the king of all those songs…a 70s…
- Professor of Rock
The Tension Behind Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
They’re one of the greatest Duos ever. A rare and unique pairing that comes along maybe once a generation. Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel…AKA Simon and…
- Professor of Rock
The Dark Legends Behind “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones
Coming up, the story of the epic 70s rock track with so many dramatic subplots, it should’ve been made into a full feature bio-pic- like Bohemian Rhapsody or…
- Professor of Rock
How Steve Perry Transformed Journey into Arena Rock Giants
Coming up a song that has become a classic rock standard and one that started it all for one of the greatest American rock bands in history... Journey… The…
- Professor of Rock
How Toto Turned a Shelved Instrumental into the #1 Hit “Africa”
Glam Metal band Europe wrote a keyboard instrumental to be the opening music for their live shows…to play while they were walking out on stage… Then half the…
- Professor of Rock
The Story of Madness: How Our House Became a Global Smash
It’s interesting how a band can blow up on the other side of the pond in the UK and be one of the most renowned bands of it’s time and then over here in the…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Don Henley’s The Heart of the Matter: Interviews with JD Souther and Mike Campbell
Coming up… separate interviews with 2 legends behind one of the most truthful and compelling songs of the rock era: The Heart of the Matter by Don Henley…
- Professor of Rock
How ELO’s Mr. Blue Sky Became the Happiest Song of All Time
In 1977 legend Jeff Lynne of ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) was trying to write songs for a new record but the weather was so dark around him he went into a…
- Professor of Rock
Freddie Mercury Wrote Killer Queen to Prove Classy People Can Be Flawed Too
It’s a song that is guaranteed to REARRANGE your mind. Just ask the legendary artist who wrote it. Freddie Mercury of Queen. Before this track, neither he nor…
- Professor of Rock
How Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” Became the Sound of the 80s
It’s one of the most essential tracks of the 80s, a song that perfectly captures the neon decade in all its glory and infamy. Everybody want to rule the world…
- Professor of Rock
How Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” Revolutionized Rock with Its Iconic Opening Note
Today’s song only needed its opening note to spark a revolution on rock radio. It’s sinister, it’s mind-altering, it’s empowering. One growling intro note is…
- Professor of Rock
How Chrissie Hynde Turned Tragedy into Triumph with “Back on the Chain Gang”
Coming up… New Wave and Rock icon Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders faced the unpleasant task of having to fire one of the co-founders of her band…Then two days…
- Professor of Rock
The Creation of Foo Fighters’ “Times Like These” Amid Chaos and Conflict
They spent roughly a million dollars making an album that should have been the biggest of its time. However, after the better part of a year, this band, Foo…