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 RockInterview: Eddie Money on “Two Tickets to Paradise” and the Love Story Behind It
Coming up, a rare interview with one of the funniest rockers ever. Mr. Eddie Money… Sadly, he passed away a few years back. The Money Man tells the story of…
- Professor of Rock
Why Pat Benatar Refuses to Sing “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” Anymore
Pat Benatar has something of an adversarial relationship with one of her biggest songs… the Top Ten 10 hit “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” It broke her career…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Jason Mraz on How “I’m Yours” Became an Unexpected Global Hit
Coming up, an interview with one of the nicest guys in the business about his biggest hit. Jason Mraz on his smash hit I’m Yours…It started as a demo he put up…
- Professor of Rock
How “Dr. Feelgood” Finally Took Mötley Crüe to #1 After Years of Chaos
AFTER years of partying like rock stars. IT FINALLY caught up with the members of Motley Crue. It began with a fatal car crash involving singer Vince Neil and…
- Professor of Rock
The Tragic Story Behind “Without You”: From Badfinger to Harry Nilsson’s Haunting #1 Hit
Today’s show is a whopper…we dig into the genius & the tragedy that surrounded a pop music classic that was #1 several times for different artists. Without…
- Professor of Rock
How The Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” Became a Late-Career Anthem After Years on the Shelf
Coming up, we’re taking a deep dive into one of the most recognizable songs of the rock era from one of the most storied and long-tenured bands of the rock…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Graeham Goble on Writing “Lady” and Losing the Little River Band Name
Up next Graeham Goble, a founding member of the legendary 70s and 80s band Little River Band and the band’s primary songwriter dd he tells the story of their…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Lou Gramm & Mick Jones on Foreigner’s “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and Its Mysterious Inspiration
Coming up… an interview with one of the greatest rock singers in history… Lou Gramm the voice of Foreigner and another legend Mick Jones mega-producer and…
- Professor of Rock
How Paul Carrack’s Guest Vocals Made Squeeze’s “Tempted” an 80s Classic
It’s one of the most well-known classics of the 80s but… it wasn’t actually a hit. It stopped just sort of the top 40. #41 in fact…New Wave classic Tempted by…
- Professor of Rock
Revisiting the Top 10 Songs of 1984: Which Hit Stands the Test of Time?
Coming up, we’re going to go behind the Top 10 songs of this same week from the year 1984. But we’re not stopping there. After we count them down, we’re…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Randy Bachman & Burton Cummings on Writing “These Eyes” and Launching The Guess Who
Coming up, two legends and world-class storytellers share the story of one of the biggest radio songs ever. These Eyes was the first big hit written by Randy…
- Professor of Rock
Why Led Zeppelin Ended: The Genius, the Loss, and Their Final Album “Coda”
For over a decade, Led Zeppelin ruled rock with an iron fist. I mean, no one else even came close. With the release of eight epic, life-altering records…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Steve Stevens on His Blazing Solo in Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face”
Up NEXT the story of one of the most mysterious, otherworldly songs of the 80s. It’s a song that absolutely hypnotizes you as a listener Eyes Without a Face by…
- Professor of Rock
How The Cars’ Debut Became an Instant Classic: The Story of “My Best Friend’s Girl”
Coming up. It’s the story of a song that never really got its due when it was released as a single. My Best Friend's Girl by the Cars… Yeah, sure it was a Top…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Grayson Hugh on His Wild Journey to the 80s Hit “Talk It Over”
Up next one of the coolest stories of a one hit wonder ever…This artist dropped out of high school to follow his rock and roll dreams, he scratched and clawed…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Marc Cohn on the True Story Behind “Walking in Memphis”
Every now and again in an interview with an artist, a story is told that is so unique, Poignant and heart felt that the story enhances the song to an…
- Professor of Rock
How The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” Redefined Rock Music Forever
"In 1967, a brilliant concept album was recorded that shattered the boundaries of song arrangement, and forever changed the art of recorded music. The Beatles…
- Professor of Rock
How The Cure’s “Lovesong” Defied Expectations and Became Their Biggest Hit
Today, it’s the song that drove one of the UK’s biggest bands The Cure kicking and screaming out of obscurity into the Mainstream Thematically, Robert Smith’s…
- Professor of Rock
How The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” Proved the Industry Wrong and Became a Global Hit
Coming up, a tale of identical twin brothers who were told by everyone in the music industry that if they wanted to make it in show business, they had to lose…
- Professor of Rock
How Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” Took Three Tries to Become an 80s Anthem
Conflicting stories, throat surgery, destitution, overblown egos, and cartwheels across sports cars. It’s all part of today’s #1 80s rock anthem Here I Go…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: The Hooters on Their 80s Success, Live Aid, and Writing “One of Us”
This is such a cool 80s story. The band the Hooters formed in 1980. they released an album independently and then took some time off when two of their…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Limahl on Kajagoogoo’s “Too Shy” and His Solo Hit from The NeverEnding Story
IN 1983 in the midst of the 2nd British Invasion, a new wave band with a cool name almost no one could pronounce rocketed up the charts with a one-hit wonder…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Joe Elliott on Def Leppard’s Hysteria—The 80s Rock Blockbuster That Beat the Odds
Coming up, it’s a landmark album that is all killer and no filler. Def Leppard Hysteria… This 80s hard rock masterwork was so epic that not even two car…
- Professor of Rock
How Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen” Proved Her Solo Star Power
Standing at the crossroads of her career, Stevie Nicks traded in the surefire success of Fleetwood Mac after Rumors and Tusk for a shot to prove she could do…
- Professor of Rock
How Barry Gibb’s Falsetto and “Jive Talkin’” Saved the Bee Gees’ Career
"One evening in the early 70s, a trio named the Bee Gees took the stage to play to a hometown crowd It was supposed to be a fun show but it turned out to be a…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Sammy Hagar on Writing Van Halen’s “Right Now” and Its Surprising Legacy
Up next an interview with one of the greatest rock vocalists ever Sammy Hagar on a song that changed everything. Right Now by Van Halen. After joining of the…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Martin Fry on ABC’s “The Look of Love” and the Breakup That Inspired It
Coming up next an exclusive interview with one of the founding fathers of New Wave. Singer and snazzy dresser Martin Fry of ABC He helped the brits battle it…
- Professor of Rock
Terence Trent D’Arby’s Rise and Fall: How Hype and Hubris Derailed His Career
When hot shot rookie Terrence Trent Darby arrived on the scene, he was hailed a rival to the biggest names in music history. but there’s a catch, he was the…
- Professor of Rock
How Sting’s “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” Was a Response to “Every Breath You Take”
The story of the desolation of the Police and the birth of Sting’s first solo hit, If You Love Somebody Set Them Free, as song he wrote as a remedy to the…
- Professor of Rock
How Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” Went from a Joke Riff to an 80s Anthem
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- Professor of Rock
How Tom Petty’s “American Girl” Became His Most Iconic Song Without Ever Being a Hit
Shrouded in the intrigue of an urban myth about a deadly acid trip, and cryptic lyrics, many shared that this 70s classic was about a suicide. American Girl by…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Carlos Santana on the Spontaneous Creation of a #1 Hit in One Take
Coming up and interview with a musical genius, one of the word’s greatest living guitarists Carlos Santana. This interview blew my mind. He’s such a guru…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Dave Sabo on How Skid Row’s “I Remember You” Became Their Biggest Hit
Coming up the last great power Ballad of the 80s, I Remember You by Skid Row. And it almost didn’t make it onto the record because the band thought it was just…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: John Oates on How Heartbreak Inspired Hall & Oates’ First Hit “She’s Gone”
Up next legendary singer songwriter John Oates of Daryl Hall and John Oates (Hall and Oates) tells us the story of their first single. The 70s classic She’s…
- Professor of Rock
How Aerosmith Transformed “What It Takes” from a Country Tune into a Rock Anthem
Is it a hidden gem or a no brainer hit hiding in plain sight? Even though today’s song broke the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and claimed #1 on the…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Randy Bachman on How a Pizza Guy Helped Make “Takin’ Care of Business” a Classic
Coming up… an interview with legend Randy Bachman, a co-founding member of both Bachman Turner Overdrive (BTO) and The Guess Who on his classic rock standard…
- Professor of Rock
How Elton John Helped Neil Sedaka Make a Stunning Comeback with “Laughter in the Rain”
It’s one of the greatest comeback stories in music history. Neil Sedaka had 6 top ten hits as a rookie including one of the biggest #1s of the time with…
- Professor of Rock
How Brian Johnson Saved AC/DC with “Hells Bells” and the Record-Breaking Back in Black
Today’s track is like rollin’ thunder. And it comes at you just like a hurricane. It’s a powerful, heavy hitting anthem, and designed to blow you away. Hells…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Vanilla Ice on the Meteoric Rise and Fall of “Ice Ice Baby”
Coming up, a song that has received a lot of hate… Many don’t want to admit that they know every lyric… In fact, I would say if you’re a Gen-Xer and you claim…
- Professor of Rock
How Depeche Mode’s “Blasphemous Rumors” Sparked Controversy While “Somebody” Bared It All
COMING up a classic hit double A Side from one of the Depeche Mode In the 80s the band was starting to make it’s way up the charts and they haven’t stopped…
- Professor of Rock
How Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” Helped Wake Him from a Coma and Change His Life
Coming up, the harrowing details behind a near fatal car crash that put one of the great musical Genius Stevie Wonder in a coma for 4 days. He had just come…
- Professor of Rock
How Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” Took Over the Charts and Shocked Fans with Its Hidden Meaning
Coming up, it’s a #1 smash with the distinction of having one of the most innovative and unforgettable music videos ever made. Peter Gabriel’s super catchy #1…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Billy Davis Jr. & Marilyn McCoo on How a Lost Wallet Led to “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In”
Coming up the story of the monumental #1 hit the Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine one of the biggest #1 hit of 1969 by the 5th Dimension… It’s definitely a…
- Professor of Rock
How Autograph Went from Weekend Jams to Van Halen’s Tour and the Hit “Turn Up the Radio”
One of the coolest and lesser known stories in rock history. Drummer Keni Richards used to be David Lee Roth’s jogging buddy One day Diamond Dave asked him…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Mike Lindup on Level 42’s “Lessons in Love” and Their 80s Success
In 1986 Level 42 was coming off one of the best songs of the 80s in Something About You. which went to the top ten on both sides of the Atlantic and the double…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Ed Roland on Collective Soul’s “Shine” and Its Unlikely Rock and Roll Prayer
Coming up renowned rock front Ed Roland of Collective Soul gives us the skinny on his band’s first number one hit Shine that came years before... He was…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Bob Webber on Sugarloaf’s Rise, Fall, and Their Two Surprise Hits
Coming up this 70s rock band ruled radio on their first release… Green Eyed Lady by the band Sugarloaf flew out of the gates as an irresistible ditty fronted…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Johnny Mathis on “Chances Are” and His Timeless Christmas Classics
Merry Christmas from Professor for Rock! Today we have a special gift for you from our friend the 3rd biggest selling male artist of the 20th century behind…
- Professor of Rock
How Syd Barrett’s Downfall Shaped Pink Floyd’s “Brain Damage” and “Eclipse”
Coming up, it is one of the most tragic tales of the rock era. Band leader Syd Barrett fronted Pink Floyd for a time and then cracked under the pressure…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Midge Ure on How “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Became a Multi-Decade #1 Hit
The in-depth story of one of the biggest selling singles of all time. The only 80s song to hit #1 four different times … Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band…
- Professor of Rock
How Rush’s “Fly By Night” Marked the Arrival of Neil Peart and a New Era in Rock
Today it’s the origin story of one of rock’s best drummers and how a failed pilgrimage to England brought him face to face with destiny. Neil Peart struggled…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Andrew Farriss on INXS’s Breakthrough with “What You Need” and the Making of Kick
It was their first massive hit in America. it kicked open the door and let people know that they were here to stay leading to them being one of the biggest…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: 3 Doors Down on How “Kryptonite” Went from Math Class to Global #1 Hit
COMING UP… one of the coolest stories you’ll ever hear about a #1 song… First of all the singer Brad Arnold wrote it when he was 15 in math class in about 10…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Randy Bachman on How “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet” Became an Accidental #1 Hit
Coming up… an interview with an absolute legend … Randy Bachman who made up a big part of two bands in the 60s and 70s… The Guess Who and Bachman Turner…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Jim Peterik on How Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” Became a Rocky Anthem
In the early 80s this Survivor co-founder Jim Peterik came home for Lunch and checked his answering machine. He couldn’t believe his ears, Sylvester Stallone…
- Professor of Rock
How a Misheard Lyric Made “Blinded by the Light” a #1 Hit for Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
It’s one of the most notoriously misheard lyrics in rock history. A line that was supposed to be referring to a Hot Rod, has instead confused generations of…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Graeham Goble on How “Reminiscing” Became Little River Band’s Signature Hit
Up next an exclusive interview with a cofounding member of the classic 70s and 80s group Little River Band. Graeham Goble who wrote and arranged the most…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: Mark Farner on Writing “We’re an American Band” and the Costly Credit Decision
Legendary 70s singer guitarist Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk Railroad or just Grand Funk as they came to be known, tells The wild story of the 70s classic…
- Professor of Rock
Interview: The Romantics on “Talking in Your Sleep” and Their Decade-Long Legal Battle
Coming up the two principals from an 80 rock band that is a true mystery… Wally Palmer and Mike Skill of the Romantics explain their 1983 #1 hit Talking In…
- Professor of Rock
How The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me” Became an 80s Classic Despite Phil Oakey’s Doubts
It’s a song that reached the Top 5 all over the world and went to #1 in 8 different countries. It was also one of the early warning shots of the Second British…