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 RockDr. Robert on The Blow Monkeys’ Digging Your Scene – An 80s Hidden Gem That Opened Minds
UP Next one of the great hidden gems of 1986. From a british band the can’t really be genre-fide. Digging Your Scene by the Blow Monkeys the band had elements…
- Professor of Rock
5 Forgotten 80s Hidden Gems You Need to Hear – Featuring Prince, Billy Idol & More
Up next 5 under appreciated songs from the 1980s. Hidden gems we don’t hear as much but deserve a re listen. Including interviews with the artists including…
- Professor of Rock
Annie Lennox’s Top 5 Songs – The Distinct Voice of 80s New Wave & 90s Modern Rock
The voice of Annie Lennox is a precious instrument, that moves me to the core, whether with Eurythmics or solo, Her voice is so unique, it’s hard to express…
- Professor of Rock
Gary Clark on Mary’s Prayer – The Heartbreaking 80s Hidden Gem by Danny Wilson
This the story of one of the greatest hidden gems of the entire 80s, the one hit wonder, Mary’s Prayer by Danny Wilson It’s a breathtaking song, one of my…
- Professor of Rock
John Rzeznik on the Story Behind Goo Goo Dolls’ Name – The 90s Hit That Changed Everything
Up next the story of one of my most haunting songs of the mid 90s as told by one of the most iconic bands the last 25 years Goo Goo Dolls. With speculation…
- Professor of Rock
How Tom Petty’s I Won’t Back Down Became a Defiant 80s Rock Anthem
An attempt to take the life of the great Tom Petty, and destroy his family, ignited a defiant spirit that inspired an anthem for unshakable strength & resolve…
- Professor of Rock
The 200-Year Evolution of Black Betty – How Ram Jam Turned a Folk Chant into a 70s Rock Classic
Up next, is the story of how a band from Cincinnati name Ram Jam changed an African American labor chant, with a debated origin, into a rip-roaring guitar…
- Professor of Rock
The Rise of Bon Jovi – Their Top 5 Songs That Defined Rock & Resilience
The thing about Jon Bon Jovi and his incredible band is the music they've created has always got your back. From "Livin' On A Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad…
- Professor of Rock
Perry Farrell on the Story Behind Jane’s Addiction’s Jane Says – An Alternative Rock Classic
Up next the Godfather of Alternative rock Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction tells us the very personal story of one of the true standards of 1988, Jane Says…
- Professor of Rock
Steve Lukather & Joseph Williams on Toto’s Pamela – Their Last Big 80s Hit
Up next a brand new interview with two musical giants: Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams from Toto on the story of an 80s gem that was their last big hit of…
- Professor of Rock
Nelson on the Story Behind Their 1990 #1 Hit (Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection
Up next identical twins Matthew and Gunnar Nelson of the family band Nelson, who’s father Rick Nelson was a pioneer of early Rock and Roll and who’s…
- Professor of Rock
How Depeche Mode’s Violator Took Over the Mainstream in 1990
It was time for a monumental breakout for another historic quartet from Britain that evoked Beatlemania excitement… Depeche Mode interrupted the mainstream in…
- Professor of Rock
Mark Kendall on Great White’s 1989 Hit Once Bitten, Twice Shy – A Glam Metal Revival
Up next a song that was a hit in the 70s and 80s by two different artists. First for a former member of Mott the Hoople, lead singer Ian Hunter and then for…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind 1987’s Haunting New Wave Power Ballad – Told by Its Singer & Songwriter
This pseudo New Wave Rock power ballad seemed to come out of nowhere in 1987. Armed with an emotional lead vocal, the song is so haunting it’s almost…
- Professor of Rock
Unboxing John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band – The Ultimate Collection & the Story Behind the Album
Following the break-up of the greatest band ever assembled, the group's legendary co-leader faced his demons, and extricated them by creating songs that he…
- Professor of Rock
Steven Tyler & Joe Perry on the Story Behind Aerosmith’s Sweet Emotion – Their 70s Breakout Hit
In the early 70s 'the bad boys of Boston” know as Aerosmith were a maelstrom of chaos, and chemically induced tension. The leaders Steven Tyler and Joe Perry…
- Professor of Rock
Eddie Van Halen & Co. on Hot for Teacher, I’ll Wait, and the Genius of 1984
Today we break down side 2 of the hard rock masterpiece 1984 by Van Halen including the story behind the blazing scorcher Hot For Teacher and the Michael…
- Professor of Rock
Lou Gramm’s Powerful Voice – Celebrating Foreigner’s Underrated Rock Vocalist & His Top 5 Songs
With exclusive commentary from Foreigner’s Mick Jones. To paraphrase a lyric from Foreigner’s song “Urgent”, Lou Gramm has “fire in his veins”. The timbre of…
- Professor of Rock
Revisiting the Top 5 Songs of 1984 – Ranking Them by All-Time Performance
Up next we recalibrate the top 5 songs from a week in the summer of 1984 based on how the songs have done in the decades since. Ranked by all time performance…
- Professor of Rock
Unboxing The Who Sell Out Super Deluxe Edition & the Story Behind This 1967 Classic
Professor of Rock unboxes The Who Sell Out Super Deluxe Edition and tells the history behind this incredible concept album with the stories behind key songs…
- Professor of Rock
5 Forgotten 70s Hits to Rediscover – Featuring Artist Interviews & Hidden Gems
In this edition of 70s Hidden Gems, we dangerously hover over some gory pulp fiction with Bloodrock’s freaky D.O.A, We drift down the sea of heartbreak with…
- Professor of Rock
Breaking Down Van Halen’s 1984 – How Eddie Van Halen & David Lee Roth Made a Rock Classic
It was a pivotal crossroads for America’s favorite party band to make the jump to becoming the world’s biggest rock band… Up next we break down Van Halen 1984…
- Professor of Rock
A Tribute to Casey Kasem – The Voice That Defined 70s & 80s Music
Up next we celebrate a true trailblazer of rock and pop music The king of the American top 40 Casey Kasem. This is a tribute to my hero, the man who gave life…
- Professor of Rock
Alan Parsons on The Alan Parsons Project – Its Connection to Dark Side of the Moon
Up next the maestro of music Alan Parsons who engineered the Beatles Abbey Road, Let It Be and Dark Side of the Moon for Pink Floyd takes us through the…
- Professor of Rock
Patty Smyth on the Story Behind Scandal’s Goodbye to You – A 1982 New Wave Classic
Up Next on Professor of Rock, we explore in-depth the story of one of the 80s BEST Kiss-Off songs ever recorded. This song's impact spans more generations than…
- Professor of Rock
Elliot Lurie on Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – The 1972 #1 Hit That Endures Across Generations
Up next the story behind one of the bonafide classic songs of the 1970s Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) straight from the singer and songwriter of Looking Glass…
- Professor of Rock
Breaking Down Phil Collins’ No Jacket Required – The 1985 Album That Perfectly Balanced Rock & Pop
No Jacket Required by the great Phil Collins is one of the all time Top 50 selling albums ever got its title from a real life incident where the Phil was…
- Professor of Rock
The Lost Art of Greatest Hits Albums – Celebrating Music’s Ultimate Gateways
Up next the story of true lost art. Before the days of Spotify, Remember the good ol' day when you heard a song from an artist that you didn’t know and you…
- Professor of Rock
Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Record-Breaking #2 Hits – The Band That Never Hit #1
From 1967 to 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival was a juggernaut. Pumping out 6 multi-platinum albums, and one gold record- yielding ten Top-20 pop hits…
- Professor of Rock
The Top 5 Neil Diamond Songs – Celebrating a Rock & Pop Legend
From the NCAA championship fencing team to rock legend, Neil Diamond, often imitated, never duplicated. There are two kinds of people in this world, those who…
- Professor of Rock
Breaking Down U2’s The Joshua Tree – The Iconic 80s Album That Almost Didn’t Happen
Despite its eventual historic significance, there was a moment when the band’s iconic lead singer contemplated scrapping one of the greatest albums ever…
- Professor of Rock
Chris Robinson on The Black Crowes’ She Talks to Angels – The Blues Rock Revival of the 90s
As the calendar turned from 1989 to 1990 the Black Crowes came out of nowhere to keep rock and roll alive with a throwback sound that was fresh and lively with…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind The Who’s Baba O’Riley – The 70s Rock Anthem That Almost Didn’t Happen
It was a track intended to be part of the second rock opera after one of rock’s greatest bands, the Who hit with Tommy. It was going to be called LIFEHOUSE…
- Professor of Rock
Ann Wilson of Heart on Working with Led Zeppelin & Performing Stairway to Heaven
Led Zeppelin conquered the world in the 70s. they also inspired two sisters who by the mid 70s proved they could rock as hard as any band in music. Up Next Ann…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind The Smiths’ Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want – The Saddest 80s Song
The story of how the poet Laurette of the rock era Morrissey and the jangle pop practitioner Johnny Marr co-created the saddest 80s Vinyl Song with Please…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb – How Roger Waters & David Gilmour Created a Masterpiece
One of music’s most mercurial heroes, Roger Waters wrote lyrics for a progressive rock masterpiece with music by David Gilmour inspired by a tranquilizer shot…
- Professor of Rock
Patrick Leonard on Madonna’s Like a Prayer – The 1989 Pop Anthem That Sparked Controversy
Up next the story of one of the biggest songs of 1989 from the queen of pop Madonna that would breed controversy and complete the transition from star to…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams – Stevie Nicks’ Heartfelt Breakup Anthem
When you listen to the modern day standard "Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, you may not immediately hear the sadness. You may not recognize that it is song about a…
- Professor of Rock
80s Mixtape: Stories from Toto, Men at Work, The Church, and More
It’s time for a new segment that we’ll be bringing to you called 80s Mixtape, featuring multiple artist on some of the memorable stories of their songs. We’ve…
- Professor of Rock
Top 5 Forgotten 70s Songs You Need to Hear – Featuring Artist Interviews
The 70s were the golden decade of classic rock. If you turn on any classic rock radio station you’ll likely hear a lot of the great bands and songs over and…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind The Beatles’ Perfect Double A-Side – Penny Lane & Strawberry Fields Forever
The collaborative genius of Lennon & McCartney created many of the most celebrated compositions ever recorded- including two heartfelt & evocative pieces of…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind The Grass Roots’ Let’s Live for Today – A 60s Hidden Gem That Comforted Soldiers
Up next the story of a song that resonated strongly with soldiers who were sent to fight in the Vietnam war. Let’s Live For Today Written by a classic…
- Professor of Rock
The Misunderstood Meaning Behind Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama
It’s a song that virtually everyone can sing a long to, but it’s also one of the most controversial and misunderstood tracks of the Rock Era. The colorful &…
- Professor of Rock
Rupert Holmes on the Story Behind Escape (The Piña Colada Song) – A Hit in Both the 70s & 80s
It's very rare that a song peaks on the charts where it bookends one decade and a few weeks later starts another where it seems like the feeling of the song…
- Professor of Rock
Steve Kilbey on The Church’s Under the Milky Way – The Haunting 1988 Rock Hit
Up next, one of the most haunting songs of the 1980s Under the Milky Way by The Church. Lead singer and writer of this classic song Steve Kilbey tells us what…
- Professor of Rock
Exclusive Interview & Tribute to Mary Wilson of The Supremes
All of us at Professor of Rock were deeply saddened by the recent passing of Mary Wilson- one of the founding members of the legendary & ground-breaking act…
- Professor of Rock
5 Forgotten Glam Metal Gems of the 80s – Featuring Warrant, Great White, Mötley Crüe & More
In the 80s Glam metal ruled radio and MTV, we’re all aware of the biggest songs of the genre and decade but up next we count down 5 of the best 80s hidden…
- Professor of Rock
Sammy Hagar vs. David Lee Roth – How Eddie Van Halen Defined the Debate
The aftermath of the original Van Halen lineup is compelling Eddie, Sammy and co hit #1 with 5150 and Diamond Dave recruited young virtuoso Steve Vai for the…
- Professor of Rock
How Tom Petty Proved His Label Wrong with Free Fallin’
An unlikely superstar partnership turned 3 simple chords into the biggest solo hit of a rock icon’s career. The story of the making, and the major label…
- Professor of Rock
The Story Behind I've Had the Time of My Life – The Hit That Defined Dirty Dancing
Up next the story of I’ve Had the Time of My Life from one of the biggest selling movie soundtrack ever, Dirty Dancing partly sung by a rock hall of famer Bill…
- Professor of Rock
The 90s Heart Hit Ann Wilson Disliked – The Story Behind All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You
After dominating rock radio in the mid 70s and emerging with a big comeback in the 80s on MTV, Ann Wilson and the band Heart entered the 90s with the…
- Professor of Rock
Top 5 Iconic Rock Eyewear – Featuring Bono, Slash, and Stevie Nicks
Since the beginning of time, wearing glasses may have been due to seeing better but since the Rock Era began in ’55, eyewear has become a fashion statement…
- Professor of Rock
How Depeche Mode Crafted the Synth-Pop Masterpiece Black Celebration
Dave Gahan and Martin Gore's Electronic supergroup Depeche Mode has built one of the most loyal fan bases in music history. The LP that truly solidified…
- Professor of Rock
The Byrds Tell the Psychedelic Story Behind “Eight Miles High”
The story of a song by one of the most influential bands of the rock era, The Byrds who combined Folk Rock, Psychedelia, Country and Raga Rock in the 60s and…
- Professor of Rock
5 Forgotten 80s Songs You Need to Revisit: Berlin, Bobby Brown, White Lion & More
Presenting another edition of 80s Hidden Gems, this is Volume 8. Top 5 seemingly passed over songs from the 80s that should be in more regular rotation in our…
- Professor of Rock
Sammy Hagar on Writing Van Halen’s Underrated 80s Gem “Best of Both Worlds” with Eddie Van Halen
In 1986 Van Halen released their first album with new lead singer Sammy Hagar. 5150 became the band’s first number one album in the US and included three top…
- Professor of Rock
Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October on the Story Behind the 2006 Rock Hit “Hate Me”
Every once in a while a band can come out of nowhere and release a song that speaks to an entire generation. The deepest reaches of the soul. In 2006 a band…
- Professor of Rock
Top 5 Most Iconic Eyewear Looks of the Rock Era
Since the beginning of time, wearing glasses may have been due to seeing better but since the Rock Era began in ’55, eyewear has become a fashion statement…
- Professor of Rock
The Legacy of Charley Pride: Country Music Trailblazer and Icon
The great Charley Pride passed away recently - leaving one of most incredible legacies for us to cherish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
- Professor of Rock
The Making of Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction: Axl, Slash & the Chaos Behind a Rock Masterpiece
In the mid 80s, Guns n' Roses crawled out of the hotbed of decadence to release a landmark album while facing the constant threat of implosion, a ban at…