Music

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 timeless tracks were made, the creative breakthroughs, the near-breakups, and the powerful moments that defined music history. Each episode is a masterclass in rock culture and nostalgia—whether it’s a chart-topping ‘80s anthem, a one-hit wonder with a wild backstory, or a candid conversation with the legends themselves. Hear the Stories. Relive the Music. Only on Professor of Rock.

Latest Episodes:

How The Traveling Wilburys Formed and the Magic Behind "Handle With Care" Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

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, was producing George Harrison’s 1987 comeback album Cloud Nine. The comeback would be big with 2 huge hits.. including I Got My Mind Set on You and When We Was Fab. The two of them decided to put together a supergroup. They both agreed to find one person they admired and then make a record. However, in the process, they ended up bringing in 3 legends for a total of 5. Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, and Harrison and Lynne. The Traveling Wilbury’s were born. They created one of the greatest records of the 80s, Handle Me With Care. up next we tell their story… How 4 of these legends were so mesmerized by their bandmate they all stopped everything they were doing whenever he would record his part and the tragedy that followed their debut album. The story is NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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How Til Tuesday’s "Voices Carry" Broke Barriers and Became an 80s Classic Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

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 an awkward singer named Aimee Mann was fronting a New Wave band called Til Tuesday from Boston brought the taboo topic to light with a groundbreaking song about empowerment. Voices Carry was a New Wave revelation. It was one of the most memorable hits of the mid-80s, with an acclaimed music video that was daring & disturbing. When you hear the story of this haunting track, you’ll likely hear it with a whole new understanding & appreciation of its brilliance. But it has a lot of stories… so which one is true? That’s what we’ll be trying to solve. By the way, this may be the most haunting song of 1985 and it also might be the year's catchiest. it’s all coming up NEXT on Professor of Rock.”

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Interview with John McCrea of CAKE: The Story Behind "The Distance" and Its Iconic Opening Line Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

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 DISTANCE A song that has one of the most iconic first lines of the last 30 years. I have to admit I was a little intimidated to interview Cake’s frontman because he’s wicked smart… You’ll have to see how I did. His explanation of the meaning of this song is pretty sobering. as he says you can’t explode into the world with great magnificence, and still feel like the guy underneath the Mickey Mouse head, with the fan batteries that have stopped working properly, and its dark under there, and everybody wants your autograph.” See what else he says next on Professor of Rock.

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How Van Halen’s "Jump" Became Their Only #1 Hit Despite Band Tensions Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

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 first big festivals of the 80s… while they were in the middle of working on the song Jump from their blockbuster hard rock masterpiece 1984. The other big headliner was the Clash, the most famous punk band on the planet, and Joe Strummer and co dissed Eddie Van Halen’s band because they were getting paid more… Van Halen was already in disarray as the guitarist wanted to add more pop element to their hard rock while the David Lee Roth wanted to do cover songs. Eddie got so pissed he threatened to burn the masters. In the end, Eddie worked on a melody he’d had for a while and turned it into the band's biggest hit… Jump went to #1 for a month. But this happy-go-lucky 80s hit is actually pretty dark…Almost no one realizes some have said David Lee Roth wrote the song encouraging someone to take their own life… kind of... Find out the real story next on Professor of Rock.

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How Pink Floyd’s "Run Like Hell" and The Wall Were Born from Chaos Jul 01, 2023

Show notes

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 out of the mind of mad genius Roger Waters one of the rock era’s most provocative and insightful lyricists, its genesis began when a stadium-sized concert went sideways. Feeling disconnected from his audience, Roger Waters lost it when one fan tried to incite a riot. Roger got became so livid he spit in the fan’s face. It was a reprehensible action but it did lead to the creation of this blockbuster record. Today, we’re not only giving you the story behind this landmark album but also delving deep into one of its greatest tracks, Run Like Hell. First written by guitarist David Gilmour for a solo album along with Comfortably Numb, but it’s since become a powerful and dangerous warning against cutting ourselves off from reality. You’re not going to want to miss the breakdown on this one. It’s all coming up… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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How The Police Went from Rejection to Global Superstars with "Message in a Bottle" Jun 30, 2023

Show notes

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 few years later they were the #1 band in the world when Synchronicity and Every Breath You Take were #1 globally. Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland’s global domination would begin with today’s song that is a no doubt about it classic. The 70s classic Message in a Bottle and in a way it was written by the singer Sting's dog… while the music was written in the back of a van while the band was traveling 100 miles an hour on the autobahn. Decades later it’s a surprise the song was recorded at all because the band was at each others’ throats all the time…Fist fights and shouting matches… but it kept the creative juices flowing. the amazing story is next on Professor of Rock.

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How Dave Grohl’s Heartbreak Inspired Foo Fighters’ "Everlong" Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

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 frontman Dave Grohl. Just a couple years removed from the suicide of his friend and bandmate, Kurt Cobain when he was in NIRVANA, Dave Grohl was trying to move on. Now with a new band Foo Fighters and writing their second album the Colour and the Shape, he was facing all kinds of problems. The guys weren’t gelling and were exhausted from their perfectionist producer Gil Norton. And then he got served divorce papers at the studio. Crushed by the weight of his crumbling marriage… he put the sessions on pause and flew cross-country to his hometown. There he wrote his best song Everlong, pouring into it everything he was feeling. When it was finished, it would become the biggest song of his career. One that would have millions of fans singing along in unison. Get ready for a banger next.

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How Alice Cooper’s "School’s Out" Became a Rebellious Anthem and Got Banned Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

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 every teacher on notice when he wrote this defiant rocker. I”m talking about Alice Cooper and his anthem Schools Out. No two greatest words were ever spoken in a rock song… at least not to us when we were kids in school. All of us have been singing along to it ever since. It’s a teenage rebellion track that perfectly captures the restlessness of youth. Plus there are also some pretty crazy stories surrounding this one, from spooky urban legends like the band getting their name from making contact with a 16th-century witch to the over-the-top stage antics like the mostly accidental chicken sacrifice that blew this band’s legend up to the actual record coming with a switchblade, a slingshot and being wrapped in paper panties. Find out why they banned it. The story of everybody’s favorite rock and roll golfer who actually liked school, Alice Cooper. …NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Interview with Geoff Downes: How "Video Killed the Radio Star" Became an 80s Icon Despite Peaking in the 70s Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

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 actually written, recorded, released and peaked on the charts in the 70s! Video Killed The Radio Star by the Buggles was actually a 70s song But because it was part of one of the most revolutionary moments in music history when it was the first song played on MTV it’s known as one of quintessential songs of the 80s. and yet it was barely even a hit. registering at #40… The story of a barely one hit wonder that changed everything is up from the band Geoff Downes who was in the band with producer Trevor Horn.

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Interview with Nuno Bettencourt: How Extreme Fought for "More Than Words" and Scored a #1 Hit Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

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 the band in protest. The label didn’t want to release More Than Words as a single because there was nothing on radio like it at the time. It was the time of big explosive power ballads and his song was more like a Beatles song… but he knew and singer Gary Cherone knew it was something special so he fought for it… He was right as it became one of the biggest songs ever. #1 hit. Plus he talks about the band’s new record and singles Rise which has the guitar solo of the century the interview is next on Professor of Rock.

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