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 Rock
FROM THE VAULT: 5 Forgotten 70s Hits to Rediscover
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
The Greatest ’70s Classics That Weren’t Hits — Carole King, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones & More
Coming up, some of the greatest songs of the 70s have one thing in common. Even though they are classics and you hear all the time on classic rock radio, they…
- Professor of Rock
FROM THE VAULT: The Dark Side of the Moon — Pink Floyd’s Masterpiece Turns Another Year
On March 1st, 1973, Pink Floyd released The Dark Side of the Moon — an album that redefined what rock music could be. In this episode, we revisit the making of…
- Professor of Rock
6 Songs That Became Pop Culture Punchlines
Oh man, this one is going to be something else. Today we're counting down 6 songs that became pop culture punchlines… These tracks that got mocked…
- Professor of Rock
Remembering Billy Steinberg: The Songwriters Hall of Famer Behind 5 #1 ’80s Hits
We've had a tough couple of weeks in the music world, with the recent passing of an incredible 80s songwriter, Billy Steinberg. He penned five number one 80s…
- Professor of Rock
FROM THE VAULT: How Pink Floyd Proved Roger Waters Wrong with Two #1 Hits After He Quit
It was one of the biggest breakups in rock history. After creating a catalog of desert island albums, Pink Floyd was torn apart by bitter feuding…
- Professor of Rock
The Best Cartoon Theme Songs of the ’60s and ’70s
We did the 80s, but after thousands of requests for the 60s and 70s… we are counting down the top cartoon themes of those decades… And there are some…
- Professor of Rock
Songs That Sound Totally 80s… But Hide Dark & Shocking Stories
Here we are… more than twenty-six years into the 21st century, and you can really feel how much has changed since the start of the 2000s. Pop culture has…
- Professor of Rock
Rock’s Most Ridiculous Hits Vol. 2: Fountains of Wayne, Chuck Berry, Nada Surf & Primus
So today we’re coming back to a show that we did a little while back that you all absolutely loved. It was one of our most popular episodes of 2025… the…
- Professor of Rock
The Satanic Panic of the ’70s: Why ELO’s “Fire on High” Was Accused of Evil Backmasking
Coming up. Let’s dive into the bizarre and sensational era of the Satanic Panic, a time when songs were accused of harboring "evil" hidden messages, and bands…
- Professor of Rock
FROM THE VAULT: The Darkness on Queen’s Influence and the Story Behind I Believe in a Thing Called Love
Let's reach into the vault for this classic from 2021. The brothers Hawkins from the Darkness tell the story behind their evolution in music including getting…
- Professor of Rock
The Best Songs of 1987 That Weren’t Hits
It Only HIT #105...But 40 Years Later It's CLEARLY the BEST SONG of 1987! | Professor of Rock Coming up, we are covering one of the years that’s consistently…
- Professor of Rock
Top 10 Love Songs You Shouldn’t Be Ashamed to Love – Billy Joel, Peter Gabriel, Journey & More
The Love songs we love to hate and hate to love... Music at it's best...Including Billy Joel, Peter Gabriel, Journey, and some guilty pleasures like…
- Professor of Rock
Remembering Three Doors Down’s Frontman Brad Arnold: Part 2
Coming up next a special tribute to a rockstar we lost recently in an interview I did with him that I’ve never shared on here. Brad Arnold of Three Doors Down…
- Professor of Rock
Female Hidden Gems Vol. 3: Duffy, Stevie Nicks & The Go-Go’s
It's a music marathon. We’re shining a light on some of the most underrated songs from female artists… It’s the latest edition of Female Hidden Gems. But…
- Professor of Rock
America on “Ventura Highway” and the Prince Connection
Coming up an interview with one of the biggest selling bands of the 70s, America, led by Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, and Dan Peek. Here, the 2 principals…
- Professor of Rock
The Legacy of Brad Arnold: 3 Doors Down’s “Kryptonite” and One of Rock’s Good Guys
Tribute to 3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold. who passed away from Cancer. Brad was one of the good guys. In this interview, Brad open up about 3 Doors Down…
- Professor of Rock
FROM THE VAULT: The Story Behind Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody
1987 was one of the most iconic years in music history, with classic releases from Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses, George Michael, Michael Jackson, and more—but…
- Professor of Rock
How Phil Collins Turned Heartbreak Into Hit Songs
Today we're diving into one of the most underrated careers in rock history—Phil Collins, a guy who turned his own devastating heartbreak into a commercial…
- Professor of Rock
The Rise, Excess, and Tragic Fall of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sadly this legendary band went down in flames. Lynyrd Skynyrd's famous album cover even predicted it. And so did one of their songs… Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote That…
- Professor of Rock
Top 8 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Snubs: Legendary Artists Still Shut Out
Okay, it’s that time of year again. We’re gearing up for the Rock and Roll Hame of Fame’s class of 2026. And AS PER usual The Rock Hall is going to snub some…
- Professor of Rock
Herman’s Hermits’ Unbelievable Run: Peter Noone on Beating the Beatles
Up next an interview with an icon of 60s rock and roll, Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits. Peter was only 15 years old when he became the singer behind Herman’s…
- Professor of Rock
The Forgotten Great Voice of Rock: Mickey Thomas on Jefferson Starship, Starship, and His Biggest Hits
Coming up next, an interview with a man who is on a shortlist of the greatest singers in music history but he never gets his due. Mickey Thomas of Jefferson…
- Professor of Rock
The Quiet Masterpieces of the ’80s: 8 Songs That Deserved More Love
Today, we're shining a light on eight 80s classics that deserve way more recognition, but I'm not talking about hidden gems here. A lot of these were huge…
- Professor of Rock
FROM THE VAULT: How Redbone’s “Come and Get Your Love” Became the Most Likable Song Ever
The amazing story of the first all indigenous band Redbone and their ultra catchy 70s smash Come and Get Your Love. The band was compelled by a burning desire…
- Professor of Rock
How 1955 and “Rock Around the Clock” Changed Music Forever
It was the year that lit the flame of Rock and Roll. The charts were full of remakes of hit songs by black artists that were re-recorded by white singers that…
- Professor of Rock
Why “Sabotage” Is the Beastie Boys’ Most Badass Song
Todays song is a music revelation. it's a song story that will kick you in the teeth. This killer 90s song is epic. Coming up a song breakdown of The Beastie…
- Professor of Rock
The Comeback Tracks: Songs That Bombed Then BLEW UP.
Alright, today, we’ve got a line-up of songs that were complete failures when they first came out… but fortune was with them. Because even though some of these…
- Professor of Rock
How Cyndi Lauper Turned Struggle Into a #1 Hit with “Time After Time”
Everyone loves a great underdog story, and up next, we have one of the best from the 80s. Today’s Rookie artist Cyndi Lauper went through hell and back to get…
- Professor of Rock
Three Dog Night’s Forgotten Reign: 21 Straight Hits with Chuck Negron
Coming up next a lead singer from an underrated band that in their peak years from the late 60s to the mid 70s had More Gold records Than The Stones! Bigger…
- Professor of Rock
How Rock Legends Turned Stuttering Into Iconic Songs
Coming up, we shine a focus on the neurological condition known as stuttering…. Some spend a lifetime trying to get rid of it, others have learned to control…
- Professor of Rock
MTV’s Most Explosive Moments: The Videos, the Stars, and the End of an Era
Ladies and gentleman, rock and roll. From its inaugural blast off and moon landing on August 1, 1981 until the clock struck midnight on New Years Eve 1989, MTV…
- Professor of Rock
When Grunge Hit: Def Leppard’s Comeback Story with Joe Elliott
Sometimes you ask a question, and there’s some mustard behind the answer. Today I talk with a legend who was riding as high as a band can in one moment, but…
- Professor of Rock
From Hits to Hate: The Most Mocked Songs in Rock History
Some songs start as hits but end up as punchlines. Over-saturation, endless mocking, and viral internet culture can transform a former chart-topper into a pop…
- Professor of Rock
The Eerie Brilliance of Crash Test Dummies’ Only Hit
So last week I showed this strange one-hit wonder Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm by the Crash Test Dummies, to my autistic son, and he was absolutely mesmerized. He has…
- Professor of Rock
The Best Rock Songs of 1980 You’ve Never Heard on the Radio
1980 was a wild year for rock. It’s hard to believe it was 45 years ago… The charts were dominated by soft rock holdovers and the last gasps of disco……
- Professor of Rock
Gene Simmons Gets Candid: KISS Classics, Backlash, and Going Off-Script
Coming up you asked for it. and so her it is Round 2 with the UNFILTERED Dr Love. Gene Simmons of Kiss. This first iteration got backlash and I even got called…
- Professor of Rock
Ann Wilson Tells the Stories Behind Heart’s Biggest Late-Era Hits
Here’s Part 2 of the greatest Female Rock Singer Ever and most of save for a few minutes here and there most of this has not ever been show. Ann Wilson of…
- Professor of Rock
A Father’s Legacy in 10 Songs: The Music That Inspired Professor of Rock
I've Made 1600 Episodes On This Channel-This Was The TOUGHEST One I've EVER Done!--Professor of Rock So the other day I was doing some organizing and I found a…
- Professor of Rock
Music’s Craziest Lawsuits: Ice, Ozzy, Zeppelin & More
Coming up, we’re putting music's greatest legends on trial. counting down the most insane musical courtroom dramas in history and giving you the verdicts… Now…
- Professor of Rock
The Disco Kings: How the Bee Gees Dominated the ’70s—and Lost It All in a Day
Today, we're all about the Bee Gees, one of the most iconic groups, not just of the '70s, but of the entire rock era. These masters of pop reinvention went…
- Professor of Rock
How Heartbreak Inspired the #1 Hit “Separate Lives” by Phil Collins & Marilyn Martin
It was 40 years ago that today’s song Separate Lives hit #1. And it’s definitely one of the most heart-wrenching duets ever recorded, and to this day, even…
- Professor of Rock
FROM THE VAULT: 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
The Final Countdown of the ’90s: Top 10 Songs from 1999
Hey Music Junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of a all time. Make sure to subscribe to the channels…
- Professor of Rock
Faith No More’s “Epic”: A Rivalry, A Genre Shift, and a Goldfish Controversy
History tells us that Nirvana saved rock and roll in 1991 with Smells Like Teen Spirit, but that’s the history that was written by the media… what if I told…
- Professor of Rock
Ranking the Most Iconic Saturday Morning Cartoon Themes of the 1980s
So In the past we’ve counting down the greatest television theme songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. We’ve covered movie scores and the best jingles. And…
- Professor of Rock
How Stone Temple Pilots Turned Tragedy into a Grunge Anthem with “Plush”
Coming up, it’s a massive hit from a band that was absolutely clobbered by the rock press… At the center of a smear campaign, they called ‘em knock-offs…
- Professor of Rock
The Police’s Breakout Hit “Roxanne”: How Sting Turned a Taboo Topic into a Classic
Coming up next, the Police, a rookie band that would start a 5-year trek that would take them from nobodies to the biggest band in the world. But their first…
- Professor of Rock
KISS Legend Gene Simmons on Controversy, Censorship, and Rock Truths
Coming up I interviewed one of the most ICONIC rock stars in the history of planet earth.. Love him or hate him, he’s always got something to say and when he…
- Professor of Rock
7 Hidden Gems by Women in Rock: Sandy Denny, Eva Cassidy, Sarah McLachlan & More
Sometimes the deepest cuts leave the most lasting marks. I’m talking about songs that never dominated the airwaves, but are worthy of regular rotation in our…
- Professor of Rock
FROM THE VAULT: 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
90s Rock Survival Stories: One-Hit Wonders, Scandals & Comebacks
Coming up, some perfect songs that came out during the great downturn in mainstream music when rock was becoming extinct including Everlong, the greatest rock…
- Professor of Rock
Neil Diamond’s Most Personal Song Faced Brutal Mockery—Here’s the True Story
Coming up the story of a classic song from one of our most precious singer-songwriters who has a debilitating disease and won’t be with us much longer… the…
- Professor of Rock
Taboo Songs: The Most Controversial Tracks in Music History
Today we're returning to our Taboo Songs countdown, where we cover the most controversial tracks that either sparked outrage back in their day or that some…
- Professor of Rock
The Dire Straits Album That Tore the Knopfler Brothers Apart
It’s a fact today’s band Dire Straits was a revelation when they first came out in the 70s…They interrupted disco and took radio hostage with a throwback rock…
- Professor of Rock
Who Are the Last True Musical Geniuses? A Deep Dive with Rick Beato
Coming up, the final part of my deep dive conversation with Rick Beato. This time we talk about the most underrated band of all-time, as well as the catchiest…
- Professor of Rock
Justin Hawkins Talks Classic Rock, Stadium Hits, and Bizarre Copyright Claims
Coming up next, a collaboration with another one of my favorite YouTubers. A famous rockstar and one of the funniest guys in music, it's Justin Hawkins. We…
- Professor of Rock
FROM THE VAULT: Paul McCartney vs. John Lennon: The War of Words After The Beatles’ Breakup
Coming up, we’re telling the tale of a misunderstood sibling rivalry between Paul McCartney and John Lennon. We’re talking two legendary singer-songwriters who…
- Professor of Rock
Test of Time: James Taylor, Led Zeppelin, and the True Top 40 of 1970
Coming up, we're relaunching and rebranding a series that we used to feature as a regular entry on the channel… The Hit Song Redux. WE USED TO TRAVEL BACK to…
- Professor of Rock
How “Last Christmas” Became a Holiday Hit—Decades After Missing #1
Coming up next a video that we tried to release 2 years ago. It was up for a bit but got claims. Then we tried to put it up again last year, and the same thing…