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 Led Zeppelin Conquered Rock Without a #1 Hit or a Grammy Jun 24, 2023

Show notes

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 they toured non-stop to support this groundbreaking LP. They were so hot their label demanded they make another record, Led Zeppelin II just months after their debut dropped and they made them keep touring unrelentlessly… So they had to write and record the record in chaos and recorded it in 13 different studios across the world… Out of this record came a masterful feel good classic that was inspired by a legendary fantasy novel. Lord of the Rings… the track called RAMBLE ON was a scorcher with Robert Plant’s fierce vocals, Jimmy Page raging the guitar John Bonham playing percussion on something… In fact we try to solve that mystery of what Bonzo is using to play the catchy percussion and find out why this band said no to Woodstock and how they toppled the Beatles as the 70s arrived. Next on Professor of Rock.

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Interview with Night Ranger: How a Misheard Lyric Created "Sister Christian" Jun 23, 2023

Show notes

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 lead singer Jack Blades and drummer/singer Kelly Keagy as they shared the story behind one of the catchiest, raise your fist in the air, sing it to the top of your lungs rockers of 1984… the #1 classic Sister Christian. I don’t know if it’s illegal to turn the station when this song comes on the radio, but it should be. It all came from a misheard lyric. Drummer wrote it about his sister Christy and lead singer Jacke Blades misheard the lyric and begged him to change it to the lyric he misheard Sister Christian… Then the session was so rough the band had to play it over 100 times and drummer Kelly Keagy was so pissed he chucked the drumsticks at the producer. Well, this drummer actually ended up singing the song even though Jack Blades was the regular lead singer and it ended up being their biggest hit. The back story of what brought the character to life in this classic… it’s based on a real person. Next on Professor of Rock.

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How The Cars' "Heartbeat City" Delivered 5 Hits but Led to Their Breakup Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

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 easy for this lead song from the album. In fact, it was a lifetime in the making… Or at least that’s how it felt to it’s band. Used to kicking out albums on the fly, their first four albums were a breeze to record. However, their fifth? That was a different story. Teaming up with meticulous producer and master of sonic sorcery, Mutt Lange, Heartbeat City took over a year to complete. And it took a devastating toll on the Rik Ocasek and Benjamin Orr and the band. Maybe even breaking them up for good. Tempers flared. Plane tickets were bought… and this seminal 80s record was in danger of not getting done. So was it all worth it? Well, if you’ve heard the album and today’s song, You Might Think you know that it was. In fact, it’s cutting edge music video is one of the 80s best and it beat out the biggest selling music video of all time Michael Jackson Thriller ! Get the story next.

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Interview with Kenny Rogers: How "The Gambler" Made Him a Superstar and Changed Music History Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

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 Gambler by all-time legend Kenny Rogers! … A SONG everyone knows by heart and a song that changed the fortune of a computer operator working a graveyard shift in up-and-coming songwriter Don Schlitz, and elevated a middle-aged singer into superstardom. You see everyone said Kenny Rogers was over the hill and on his way down… Instead, The Gambler made him even more of a sensation. Up next the making of a storybook song that grabbed an indelible piece of pop culture … 70s classic The Gambler has transcended time, genre, and generation. This video also includes an interview with the legendary singer, the late Kenny Rogers. the story is next on Professor of Rock.

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Interview with Jim Peterik: How Survivor Dominated the 80s with "The Search Is Over" and Then Disappeared Jun 20, 2023

Show notes

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. But then their next album fizzled with no hits and then their singer Dave Bickler blew out his voice, in 1984 they would forge one of the biggest comebacks of the decade with a new singer Jimi Jamison who was tailor-made for their sound. They Hit #1 twice including today’s massive song The Search Is Over. they’d have another massive hit in 1986 in the Burning Heart from Rocky IV and then a top ten in 1987 but then they’d vanish from the charts never to be seen again…Next founding member and key songwriter Jim Peterik who used to be in the group tells the story of their 1985 #1 and we try to solve the mystery of why this band disappeared...

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Interview with USA for Africa Members: The Untold Story of "We Are the World" Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

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 together for one night. USA for Africa with the #1 charity single We Are the World. One night where legends of all time like Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Steve Perry of Journey, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Huey Lewis, Kenny Loggins, Cyndi Lauper, Lionel Richie and so many more came together. I have exclusive interviews with 4 legendary members and they share some of the coolest stories you’ll ever hear. Man oh man buckle up for some pure unadulterated joy and nostalgia next on Professor of Rock.

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How Rick Astley’s "Never Gonna Give You Up" Took Over the 80s—Then the Internet Jun 17, 2023

Show notes

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 his big break, he got picked up by one of the UK’s premiere production teams. Stock Aitken and Waterman (SAW)... Only instead of letting him record an album, they had him doing chores around the studio… assigning him to make tea for the crew. When they finally gave him a chance, they hated his future hit a song called Never Gonna Give You Up and refused to release it. It was only by chance it started to get airplay. But when it did, it stormed the charts and nobody even knew who this mystery man was. After he blew up and had 7 hits , he decided to quit music and he pretty much vanished from the public eye. Decades later this iconic track was resurrected and became the mother of all pop culture tracks, the Rick Roll. Never Gonna Give You up even after hitting #1 in the 1988 It trounced its former glory in the 80s. The story’s… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Interview with OMD: How "If You Leave" Was Written Overnight and Became an 80s Classic Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

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 record a song for the iconic 80s movie Pretty in Pink in just one night. The Director, John Hughes already had a song from them but watched the pivotal ending scene at the prom where they would place the song but he needed something more. The 80s synth pop duo wrote a classic If You Leave... It would become one of the most memorable moments in film history, one that generations after would try to mimic. Their song would be the basis for every high schooler’s dream moment from that point on. But the song would also become a bit of a curse for the band. They would be deemed by many as one hit wonders even thought they had several more hits and were one of the premier bands of the era… Next the duo details the deadline of fury of how they pulled off one of most magical song of the decade in 1 night…

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How Big Country Overcame Adversity to Score a Hit with "In a Big Country" Jun 15, 2023

Show notes

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 break touring with Alice Cooper, they had bottles of urine thrown at them, but they held on and persevered and their debut album The Crossing would go on to sell over 2 million copies and produced one of the most timeless singles of the 80s… In a Big Country named after the band… Only before it became a huge hit, their lead singer, Stuart Adamson who wrote the song, didn’t think it was any good. It took some serious convincing from his producer Steve Lillywhite and an overhaul of the song to change his mind. But after that, it became their biggest hit in the United States. And also the only hit that most Americans remember. But was this band really a one-hit wonder? Or is there more to their story? Find out… NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Interview with Steve Forbert: The Story Behind "Romeo’s Tune" and Its Mysterious Inspiration Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

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 who could. Technically he only had one hit… It was one of those rare songs where the song’s title is never said in the song…Romeo’s Tune by Steve Forbert… Forbert was a small-town guy who went to new york and made it in music. Truth is Romeo’s tune came out at the wrong time when his type of music was out of style. But the song broke through on the charts and hit #11 and the mystery girl that this song is about has never been revealed. See if he’ll tell who it’s about next on Professor of Rock. The greatest underdog story of 1979 come full circle today with Steve's recollection of this one hit wonder that dominated 70s radio plus info about his latest record!

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