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 RockHow Van Halen’s “Panama” Responded to Critics and Became a Hard Rock Classic
Coming up… It may just be the greatest Hard Rock song ever. With music by the foremost guitar hero of Generation X, the late Eddie Van Halen, and lyrics by…
- Professor of Rock
How Alphaville’s “Forever Young” Became an Eternal 80s Anthem
Three strikes and you’re out. Isn’t that usually how it goes? Well, not for today’s band… Alphaville who despite repeatedly failing to break into the Hot 100…
- Professor of Rock
How Led Zeppelin’s “No Quarter” Became a Haunting Masterpiece and a Point of Contention
All eyes were on this legendary band after they released their megalithic fourth album Led Zeppelin IV. Championed by many as the greatest rock record ever…
- Professor of Rock
How Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” Built a Billion-Dollar Empire
Coming up…. Jimmy Buffett became the wealthiest artist of the rock era because of his clever songs that he turned into crafty entrepreneurial maneuvers. But…
- Professor of Rock
How Prince’s “Purple Rain” Redefined Power Ballads and Made Music History
After this rookie hit the top 10 for the first time in 1983 he was ready to take his place amongst the legends with his follow-up… Prince Rogers Nelson…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 10 Songs of the 1980s: What Happened to Great Music?
Coming up, it’s the latest edition of our program the Hit Song Redux. In this show, we go behind the Top 10 songs from this very same week 40 years ago in…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Kenny Loggins: How a Simple Beat Made "I'm Alright" a Classic
Coming up next, an interview with a legend on a feel-good singalong 80s classic. First, this legendary singer-songwriter was told by a big-time movie producer…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Bill Champlin: The Story Behind Chicago’s "Hard Habit to Break"
Today, we’re bringing you the story of a perfect pop song… the 1984 smash hit Hard Habit to Break by Chicago… It was an 80s pocket symphony that hearkens back…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Pink Floyd’s "Dogs" and the Power Struggle That Changed the Band
Although Pink Floyd is no stranger to this channel, we really are breaking new ground here… taking on an epic album that we’ve never covered before. And with…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Dennis DeYoung: How "Mr. Roboto" Broke Up Styx but Became a Pop Culture Phenomenon
Today I have a very interesting interview with a legendary singer and former frontman of one of the biggest bands of the 80s Dennis DeYoung was with Styx for…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with JD Souther: The Turbulent Story Behind the Eagles' Last #1 Hit, "Heartache Tonight"
Up next, an interview with one of the most prolific songwriters in history… JD Souther...He co-wrote many hits for the biggest-selling American band ever, the…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Van Morrison’s "Brown Eyed Girl": A Massive Hit He Hated
"Coming up the story of the groovy, “feel good” pop classic, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. Despite the song’s tremendous, enduring success, Van Morrison…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Gary Wright: The Story Behind "Dream Weaver" and Its Lasting Legacy
In this short interview, we pay tribute to the late great 70s icon Gary Wright, who passed away on September 5th 2023, six years after he was diagnosed with…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Lisa Loeb: How "Stay" Became a #1 Hit Without a Record Deal
Up next, an interview with a singer-songwriter that many gen-exers had a crush on. Lisa Loeb! She was in a duo and then they broke up… She actually played…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Tom Bailey: How a Lovers' Quarrel Led to Thompson Twins' "Hold Me Now"
While trying to finish their second album, today’s band Thompson Twins needed one more song. But they needed it quick. So their frontman Tom Bailey wrote a…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Kiss’ "Forever": The Dispute Between Paul Stanley and Michael Bolton
Coming up the story of a song released under a heavy dispute between a Glam Rock God, and the King of early 90s Soft Rock. It was Paul Stanley of Kiss vs…
- Professor of Rock
How Black Sabbath’s "Paranoid" Accidentally Became a Heavy Metal Anthem
When today’s legendary band came out, they were unlike anything anyone had ever heard back in… Black Sabbath! Their music was hardcore and at first, they…
- Professor of Rock
Legend Obliterated His Cheating Wife ALL Across Radio on This BRUTAL 80s Hit
Use my code PROFESSOROFROCK to get $5 off your delicious, high protein Magic Spoon cereal by clicking this link: https://sponsr.is/magicspoon_professorofrock…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with George Thorogood: How "Bad to the Bone" Became a Rock Anthem
Coming up an interview with iconic guitar player George Thorogood who’s 1982 laid back full throttle riff of Bad to the Bone has dominated our society for…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Simply Red’s "Holding Back the Years": Mick Hucknall’s Haunting Debut
Mick Hucknall of Simply Red was abandoned by his mother when he was only 2 years old... Later in high school his art teacher said something that inspired him…
- Professor of Rock
How Cheap Trick’s "The Flame" Saved Their Career—Despite Their Hatred for It
In the 70s, Cheap Trick went on a crazy commercial rollercoaster through the music industry. Starting off slow with their first few records, they unexpectedly…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind The Police’s "King of Pain": How Sting’s Wife Inspired the Title
Was this 1983 hit record, recorded by the #1 band of the time actually a solo album in disguise? Synchronicity by the Police with Sting taking center stage…
- Professor of Rock
How Dickey Betts and The Allman Brothers Overcame Tragedy to Create "Ramblin’ Man"
Coming up...The story of two brothers who lost their father to the gun of a drifter when they were mere toddlers. Gregg and Duane Allman lost their father at…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Three Dog Night: How "Joy to the World" Became 1971’s Biggest Hit
COMING UP, the story behind an absolute classic of Rock told by its iconic singer. Joy to the World by Three Dog Night became the #1 song of 1971. Chuck Negron…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Holly Knight: How a Random Joke Became Pat Benatar’s "Love Is a Battlefield"
In 1983 at the height of MTV #1 female rocker Pat Benatar took POP radio hostage with this explosive anthem…Love is a Battlefield. Today I sit down with the…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Paul Carrack: The Story Behind Mike + The Mechanics’ Eerie Hit "Silent Running"
Coming up… In 1985 legendary band Genesis took some time off when their lead singer Phil Collins was working on his solo album No Jacket Required. So the…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Randy Bachman: How "No Time" Borrowed a Riff and Became a 70s Classic
Coming up… Another helping from Two of rock and roll’s greatest storytellers. Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman wrote the biggest 60s and 70s hits when they…
- Professor of Rock
Happy Go Lucky 70s Classic is Actually About a Crazy Stalker Who Attacked a Legend
Check our sponsor NordVPN and click the link to get a special Professor or Rock deal: 4 EXTRA MONTHS when you purchase a 2-year plan…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Fleetwood Mac’s "Gypsy": Stevie Nicks’ Nostalgic Tribute to Simpler Times
Today’s aspiring songwriters and lovers were so dirt poor that at times they struggled to even feed themselves. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were down…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with John Oates: How "Out of Touch" Became Hall & Oates’ Final #1 Hit
Coming up, an interview with one of the 80s great hitmakers. The most successful duo of the rock era, Daryl Hall and John Oates Everything they touched turned…
- Professor of Rock
How The Beatles’ "Norwegian Wood" Revolutionized Rock and Sparked Controversy
Coming up…A story of scorned passion…revenge, and arson. It sounds like a film noir thriller, but it was actually an innocent 2-minute song called Norwegian…
- Professor of Rock
How Elton John’s "Bennie and the Jets" Became a Hit by Accident
Up next The Electric story of one of the 70s greatest masterpieces. Bennie and the Jets by Elton John. A song that was truly a happy accident… as Elton…
- Professor of Rock
How The Beach Boys' "Kokomo" Became a Surprise #1 Hit Despite the Backlash
When Bad Songs Happen to Great Bands… Did one of the greatest bands of all time, the Beach Boys release one of the worst songs of all time in Kokomo? Today…
- Professor of Rock
The Hidden Meaning Behind Prince’s "Let’s Go Crazy"—Did It Predict His Fate?
Coming up. It may be the most famous opening monologue from a classic song ever …a brave sermon every 80s kid knows by heart. Prince Let’s Go Crazy, the #1…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind the "Footloose" Soundtrack: How Dean Pitchford Helped Create 7 Hits
Coming up next, a star-studded event with a diverse group of legends telling the story behind one of the Biggest movie soundtracks of the 80s. Footloose. It…
- Professor of Rock
How a Session Guitarist Transformed Steely Dan’s "Reelin’ in the Years" into a 70s Classic
Two of most cerebral rockers and known perfectionists Donald Fagen and Walter Becker AKA Steely Dan, just knew they had a song for their debut album with Hit…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Mike Reno: How Loverboy’s "Turn Me Loose" Overcame Rejection to Become an 80s Classic
Up next the Mike Reno singer from the 80s rock band Loverboy breaks down one of their signature songs. It rocked the 80s. It’s a song that put ‘em on the map…
- Professor of Rock
How Paul Simon’s "You Can Call Me Al" Revitalized His Career and Sparked Controversy
Paul Simon wrote the title track to the best-selling album of 1970, 71, and 72 as half of one of the biggest groups of the Rock Era, Simon and Garfunkel When…
- Professor of Rock
Why Simple Minds Disowned Their Biggest Hit, "Don’t You (Forget About Me)"
No way in hell was Jim Kerr and Simple Minds going to record today’s featured song… (a future #1 hit from an iconic 80s’ film.) Don’t You (Forget About Me) for…
- Professor of Rock
How Yes Revived Their Career with "Owner of a Lonely Heart"—A Song Written in the Bathroom
Coming up, it’s the remarkable story of a #1 rock song from 1984 that was written on the porcelain throne. ya the Yes #1 classic rock standard, Owner of a…
- Professor of Rock
How Supertramp’s "The Logical Song" Defied Doubt and Sold 20 Million Copies
Roger Hodgson grew up a happy boy but then his parents sent him away to a punishing boarding school. He put this horrendous experience and his search for…
- Professor of Rock
Randy Meisner’s Defining Moment with the Eagles: The Story Behind "Take It to the Limit"
It should’ve been the zenith of his career… On a fateful night backstage in Knoxville, Tennessee in the summer of ’77… Instead…it was a coup de grace that led…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Mike Ness of Social Distortion: From Homelessness to Gold Records
Coming up next, a very special interview that I was over the moon to get.. Mike Ness of Social Distortion. This Rock Icon released his debut album in the early…
- Professor of Rock
How Metallica’s Most Personal Song Became Their Biggest Hit
James Hetfield was exhausted from a world tour and to make matters worse he missed his girl so in a burst of inspiration he wrote an extremely vulnerable song…
- Professor of Rock
Dan Fogelberg’s Tribute to His Father: The Story of Leader of the Band
Coming up….the story of a song that epitomizes the powerful effect of music on the human soul. Leader of the Band by the late great Dan Fogelberg. He didn’t…
- Professor of Rock
How Bryan Adams’ "Cuts Like a Knife" Launched Him to Stardom
Although He would become one of the biggest-selling male artists of his time, Bryan Adams failed for years… Missing the charts time and again. But this rookie…
- Professor of Rock
How Queen Turned an Insult Into "We Will Rock You"
One of the greatest Power anthems in rock history was actually sort of written by this legendary band’s fans! Queen and We Will Rock You was inspired by the…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with The Motels: The Story Behind "Only the Lonely" and Their 22-Year Disappearance
Coming up an interview with a mysterious new wave band name the Motels who haunted the first half of the 80s with 4 hits including the 1983 #1 hit that is so…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Nik Kershaw: The Story of "Wouldn't It Be Good" and Its 80s Legacy
Coming up next, an interview with an 80s artist whose signature song has become a teenage anthem for the outcasts and a quintessential 80s classic… Nik Kershaw…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Kevin Cronin: The Story Behind REO Speedwagon's "Take It on the Run"
Up next… an interview with Kevin Cronin, the frontman about an 80 rock classic that is on the short list of greatest opening lines ever. Heard it from a friend…
- Professor of Rock
How Tears for Fears Defied Industry Pressure and Took "Shout" to #1
Coming off one of the most ground-breaking albums of the early 80s in The Hurting, today’s featured duo, Tears for Fears really upped the ante for their 1985…
- Professor of Rock
How Heart’s Comeback Led to Their First #1 with "These Dreams"
Back in 1984, today’s featured band was teetering on the brink of extinction… After crushing it with four straight landmark LPs in the 70s, everything went…
- Professor of Rock
Why "We Built This City" Became the Most Controversial #1 Hit of the 80s
THE WORST SONG OF ALL TIME… it’s a question that’s been asked and answered a million times It’s been voted on. it’s been the subject of intense debate. Well…
- Professor of Rock
The Mystery Behind Jimi Hendrix and the Meaning of "Purple Haze"
He was a left-handed virtuoso that loved science fiction, parakeets, and getting high…But not everything about this Jimi Hendrix was as it seemed. Since his…
- Professor of Rock
Revisiting the Top 10 Songs of 1986: Hits, Rivalries, and Lasting Impact
Today, we’re going to go behind the Top 10 songs of this very same week from the year 1986. If you need a break from the sheer insanity of the 2020s, we’ve got…
- Professor of Rock
How Cream’s "Sunshine of Your Love" Overcame Doubters to Become a Rock Classic
They were likely Rock’s first supergroup and it all started when these virtuosos who went by the name of CREAM starring Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger…
- Professor of Rock
How the Bee Gees Staged a Comeback with "You Win Again" and "One"
Making a comeback is a punishing challenge. In the entertainment business, it is extremely difficult, if not utterly impossible. But the Bee Gees beat…
- Professor of Rock
How Creedence Clearwater Revival Dominated Then Disappeared: The Story of "Have You Ever Seen the Rain"
Sibling rivalry, band-member infighting, and an ongoing wrestle for creative control all led to the break up of today’s featured band. Creedence Clearwater…
- Professor of Rock
How Jackson Browne Wrote "These Days" at 16 and Redefined Live Albums with "Running on Empty"
Up next, a tale about legendary singer songwriter Jackson Browne who wrote plenty of entries in the great American songbook including a deeply poignant classic…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Dennis DeYoung: How "Babe" Went from Birthday Gift to #1 Hit
Coming up next, an interview with one of history's only rock singer-songwriters that has had a big hit in the 70s, 80s, and the 90s. Dennis DeYoung of Styx is…