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 Johnny Cash’s "I Walk the Line" Became a #1 Hit and the Comeback That Radio Blocked
Struggling to stay faithful to his wife while on the road, the Man in Black, Johnny Cash wrote her a mournful love ballad backstage at one of his concerts to…
- Professor of Rock
How Aerosmith’s "Walk This Way" Sparked One of Rock’s Greatest Comebacks
Coming up we present the story of a song that is truly a musical miracle …Aerosmith and their classic 70s and 80s hit Walk This Way. First of all the masterful…
- Professor of Rock
How Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads Defied the Odds with "Crazy Train"
After Ozzy Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath, the band he’d fronted and helped make famous for a decade, a lot of people thought his career was finished…
- Professor of Rock
How Nikki Sixx’s Near-Death Experience Inspired Mötley Crüe’s "Kickstart My Heart"
Coming up, it’s a full-speed, kick-you-in-the-teeth, adrenaline-fueled rocker… inspired by an 80s legend who literally had a death wish. Motley Crue and their…
- Professor of Rock
How The Traveling Wilburys Formed and the Magic Behind "Handle With Care"
Legendary Producer and artist Jeff Lynne from Electric Light Orchestra, who was only a few years removed from writing and performing 8 top 10 hits with ELO…
- Professor of Rock
How Til Tuesday’s "Voices Carry" Broke Barriers and Became an 80s Classic
In 1985, pop music was not a forum for the dark subject of abuse, doors were opened leading up to that year to take about deep subjects from Tears for Fears to…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with John McCrea of CAKE: The Story Behind "The Distance" and Its Iconic Opening Line
Coming up, an interview with one of the most interesting frontmen in music on his band’s signature song. John McCrea of CAKE on their 90s classic GOING the…
- Professor of Rock
How Van Halen’s "Jump" Became Their Only #1 Hit Despite Band Tensions
The story of this next song is so good. So entertaining it almost feels made up, but it’s not. Van Halen with David Lee Roth at the helm headlined one of the…
- Professor of Rock
How Pink Floyd’s "Run Like Hell" and The Wall Were Born from Chaos
It is arguably the most ambitious and iconic concept album ever created, written by a band that was coming apart at the seams. Pink Floyd the Wall. It was Born…
- Professor of Rock
How The Police Went from Rejection to Global Superstars with "Message in a Bottle"
Up next, a band that had to fight tooth and nail to get airplay on American radio in the late 70s. The Police struggled to get a fair shake in 1979 but just a…
- Professor of Rock
How Dave Grohl’s Heartbreak Inspired Foo Fighters’ "Everlong"
Today, it's the defining track of a big-budget, no holds barred rock opus. But writing this signature song would be a harrowing experience for this band’s…
- Professor of Rock
How Alice Cooper’s "School’s Out" Became a Rebellious Anthem and Got Banned
Alright, so today we’re going old school… taking you back to a shocking and iconic hit from the 70s. It was from a rockstar that defined the word and he put…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Geoff Downes: How "Video Killed the Radio Star" Became an 80s Icon Despite Peaking in the 70s
Up next an interview with a principal band member and cowriter of one of the most recognizable and popular songs of the 80s. except for the fact that it was…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Nuno Bettencourt: How Extreme Fought for "More Than Words" and Scored a #1 Hit
Up next, one of the greatest living guitarists Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme tells us the story of his band’s hit that he believed in so much that he almost quit…
- Professor of Rock
How Led Zeppelin Conquered Rock Without a #1 Hit or a Grammy
When Led Zeppelin touched down with their debut album, it shook the entire world. And a short while later, they were shaking American concert-goers as well, as…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Night Ranger: How a Misheard Lyric Created "Sister Christian"
Coming up, an interview with the two principles from hard rock arena band Night Ranger. the band ruled 80s rock radio and here Professor of Rock interviews…
- Professor of Rock
How The Cars' "Heartbeat City" Delivered 5 Hits but Led to Their Breakup
Coming up, it’s 80s power pop at its best. The Cars and their 5th studio album Heartbeat City it sold 5 million and churned out 5 big hits.. But it didn’t come…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Kenny Rogers: How "The Gambler" Made Him a Superstar and Changed Music History
The game of life is like…a game of poker. And who would’ve known that some of the best advice for life would be found inside a song about playing poker The…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Jim Peterik: How Survivor Dominated the 80s with "The Search Is Over" and Then Disappeared
Today’s rock band Survivor was on top of the world in 1982 with one of the biggest #1 hits ever in Eye of the Tiger... They were Poised to break out big time…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with USA for Africa Members: The Untold Story of "We Are the World"
Coming up… the story of the greatest supergroup ever assembled. And there’s not a close second. the thing is they only recorded one song and they are only…
- Professor of Rock
How Rick Astley’s "Never Gonna Give You Up" Took Over the 80s—Then the Internet
It’s the story of an 80s mega-hit song that topped the charts in at least 25 countries. But it almost never happened. While a young Rick Astley was looking for…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with OMD: How "If You Leave" Was Written Overnight and Became an 80s Classic
Coming up, the classic 80s duo OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) tell the unbelievable story of hitting an impossible deadline. They had to write and…
- Professor of Rock
How Big Country Overcame Adversity to Score a Hit with "In a Big Country"
Coming up, it’s the story of the 80s rock band Big Country whose sound was a unique mixture of modern rock and unique Scottish folk elements … After catching a…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Steve Forbert: The Story Behind "Romeo’s Tune" and Its Mysterious Inspiration
I love stories like our next one. I had the chance to interview one of the nicest guys in music. He’s the equivalent of that children’s story the little engine…
- Professor of Rock
How Blondie’s "Heart of Glass" Defied Critics and Became a #1 Hit
Coming up…. When punk rock band Blondie recorded a disco song they alienated their punk followers who accused them of selling out. Deborah Harry and Chris…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Huey Lewis: How "The Power of Love" Became a #1 Hit for Back to the Future
Coming up, an interview with a true 80s icon, Huey Lewis and the News on one of the biggest songs of the 80s. The Power of Love from the 1985 blockbuster Back…
- Professor of Rock
How Def Leppard’s "Rock of Ages" Borrowed from a Hymn and Made Pyromania a Rock Classic
The making of one of the biggest rock albums of the 80s was full of drama, comedy, secret messages, and young lust. Def Leppard Pyromania... It started out…
- Professor of Rock
How Iron Butterfly’s "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" Became an Accidental Epic and Missed Woodstock
Coming up, it’s a song that can only be described as ‘epic.’ In a Gadda Davida by Iron Butterfly, originally radio-friendly in length,later grew to monster…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Terri Nunn: How Berlin’s "Take My Breath Away" Became a #1 Hit Despite Band Backlash
Up next, an interview with 80s icon Terri Nunn from New Wave band Berlin about her band’s biggest song. It was a #1 hit… It was a central song from Top Gun one…
- Professor of Rock
How Dobie Gray’s "Drift Away" Became a Timeless Classic and Finally Hit #1 Decades Later
Coming up…a down & out songwriter named Mentor Williams and a down & out singer named Dobie Gray after the TV show came together to collaborate on a song that…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Bobby Colomby: How Blood, Sweat & Tears Rose to #1 and Faced Government Pressure
Ok, you’re not going to believe this story… Coming up.. a song.. a record that changed everything… Spinning Wheel by Blood Sweat and Tears. It dominated the…
- Professor of Rock
How The Police’s "Don’t Stand So Close to Me" Sparked Controversy and Launched Their Stardom
Hey teacher, leave them kids alone! Today we’re telling the story of the classic 80s track Don’t Stand So Close To Me by the Police. The controversial song is…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Carmine and Vinnie Appice: The Truth Behind Dio’s "Holy Diver" and 80s Satanic Panic
So I was looking through some old interview footage and I found this cool zoom session I did with two of the greatest drummers from hard rock and Metal. The…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Randy Bachman & Burton Cummings: How "American Woman" and "No Sugar Tonight" Were Born
Coming up… Two of rock and roll’s greatest storytellers Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings formerly of the 70s band the Guess Who share the hilarious story of…
- Professor of Rock
How Midnight Oil’s "Beds Are Burning" Became a Powerful Protest Anthem
In the mid 80s Australian band Midnight Oil was one of the hottest box office draws on their continent, poised to sell out arenas around the country…But…
- Professor of Rock
Interview with Colin Hay: How Men at Work Took Over the Charts Then Disappeared
Coming up, an interview with a true 80s icon. Colin Hay of Men at Work. This band was as big as anyone in 1982 and 1983. They actually pulled off something…
- Professor of Rock
How "Der Kommissar" Became a Hit Twice—and Broke Up After the Fire Before They Knew It
Coming up, it’s the story of the 1983 Hit Der Kommissar that had two very different lives. First released by a German-speaking 80s star, named Falco, the song…
- Professor of Rock
How Rush’s "New World Man" Was Written Last-Minute and Became Their Biggest Hit
It was a last-minute song written at record speed. When rock’s greatest trio Rush finished their 9th studio album Signals, they realized they still had 3…
- Professor of Rock
Why Prince Took a Risk on 'When Doves Cry' – No Bass, No Problem!
In 1983 into 1984 every artist and band on the planet was massively outdone by one massive blockbuster. The Biggest selling album of all time. Michael…
- Professor of Rock
Paul Carrack: The Man With the Golden Voice – How Long and His Legendary Career
Coming up an interview with one of my favorite singer’s ever…He’s one of only a few artists in rock history who’s had a hit with three different bands and as a…
- Professor of Rock
How Living Colour’s 'Cult of Personality' Changed Rock – Inside the Fierce 1988 Hit
Coming up, an interview with the singer and guitarist from a hard rock band that exploded onto Radio and MTV in the 80s with a song that changed everything…
- Professor of Rock
Pink Floyd’s 'Wish You Were Here': From Prog Rock to Country Classic
When Pink Floyd’s leader Syd Barrett descended into madness due to a break from reality and using drugs. The band was concerned that losing their frontman…
- Professor of Rock
The Moody Blues’ 'Your Wildest Dreams': A Comeback Hit Born from a Disaster
Today, it’s a band that started off strong in the 60s continued to dominate in the 70s with great songs like Night In White Satin...then Went away for a bit…
- Professor of Rock
Dire Straits’ 'Money for Nothing': How an Angry Rant Became an Iconic 80s Hit
One day Dire Straits Frontman Mark Knopfler was shopping in a retail store and he happened to eavesdrop on two meathead workers ranting about Rockstars and how…
- Professor of Rock
Guns N' Roses' 'November Rain': Axl Rose’s 8-Year Journey to a #1 Epic
Up next Rock’s most notorious bad boy Axl Rose had been working on a piano song for about 8 years… It was actually the only song he knew how to play on the…
- Professor of Rock
Gordon Lightfoot’s 'If You Could Read My Mind': The Heartbreaking Song That Almost Changed
It’s quite possibly the most vulnerable song about a broken relationship of the Rock Era. The late Gordon Lightfoot wrote an absolutely gut-wrenching ballad…
- Professor of Rock
Top 5 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Snubs – Why Does It Hate Actual Rock?
Okay, so this one’s an episode I’ve been needing to do for a long time. And I’ll be upfront with you. It’s a topic that really gets under my skin, so I’ll try…
- Professor of Rock
Deep Purple’s 'Smoke on the Water': How a Disaster Led to Rock’s Most Iconic Riff
A flare gun fired by an idiot attending a concert led to the burning of a casino and a towering fire in the sky. The rock band Deep Purple happened to be in…
- Professor of Rock
The Doobie Brothers’ 'What a Fool Believes': How Yacht Rock Dethroned Disco
Today’s song was a comeback #1 hit for a legendary band named the Doobie Brothers who lost their iconic singer, Tom Johnston to Sickness. What A Fool Believes…
- Professor of Rock
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 'Soul to Squeeze': The B-Side That Became a #1 Hit
So here’s one for you. How many songs do you know that were cut from a ground-breaking album, turned into a B-side several times, and then placed on a movie…
- Professor of Rock
Carole King: From Hitmaker to 70s Solo Superstar with 'Tapestry'
Legend Carole King wrote or co-wrote over 2 dozen hits for other people before she got a chance to record her own record... With husband Gerry Goffin…
- Professor of Rock
Ratt’s 'Round and Round': The 80s Rock Classic That Sold 5 Million and Endured
Coming up the hard rock and glam metal bands that ruled MTV and the concert circuit in the 80s are well documented from Motley Crue to Def Leppard to Bon Jovi…
- Professor of Rock
The Couple Behind 3 Huge 80s Hits: What Happened to Them After 'Waiting for a Star to Fall'?
Coming up, it’s the story of two musicians who achieved global success both as songwriters and band members. They also happened to be romantically involved…
- Professor of Rock
Styx's 'Lady': How a DJ Turned a Jukebox Discovery into a #1 Power Ballad
Up next legendary rock singer Dennis DeYoung formerly of the band STYX tells the story of 70s classic Lady, the first quote-unquote power ballad The song was…
- Professor of Rock
Neil Diamond’s 'Sweet Caroline': The Song That Shocked the Woman It Was About
Neil Diamond was a shy kid who got mixed up with a rough crowd, and came dangerously close to being shot in the left eye during a street fight. He quit the…
- Professor of Rock
Robert Plant’s 'Ten Years Gone': The Heartbreaking Ultimatum That Led to a #1 Hit
So what happens when you give rock’s greatest frontmen ever, a relationship ultimatum? As in “It’s either me or your music. What’s it going to be?” Well, this…
- Professor of Rock
The Cult’s 'She Sells Sanctuary': The #1 Song That Divided Fans and Sparked Violence
Face punches, stolen demo tapes, a controversial sound, and well, a Drummer arrested for stealing a car on his way to the video shoot? All of this happened to…
- Professor of Rock
Robbie Dupree’s 'Steal Away': From Trucking to #1 – The Yacht Rock Classic That Almost Didn’t Happen
Coming up.. an interview with Yacht Rocker Robbie Dupree what wrote one of the all time 80s classics… Steal Away is as popular today as it was when it peaked…
- Professor of Rock
Skid Row’s 'Youth Gone Wild': How a Rookie Band Surpassed Their Mentor, Bon Jovi
Up next guitarist Dave “the Snake” Sabo from late 80s premier hard rock groups Skid Row tells the story of the anthem that started it all. “Youth Gone Wild”…
- Professor of Rock
Van Halen’s Hidden Gems: How Eddie’s Lightning-Fast Guitar Left Sammy Hagar Stunned
Coming up it’s a fiver countdown starring one of rock’s mightiest bands ever Van Halen with a fun Sammy Hagar interview to go along with it. Van Halen was so…