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 Barry Gibb’s Falsetto and “Jive Talkin’” Saved the Bee Gees’ Career Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

"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 demoralizing indicator of where their career stood at that moment. The attendees were more interested in getting drunk, then listening There was no question about it…the Bee Gees were at a crossroads… With 3 straight albums that were commercial failures. They were in a bad place but the adversity made the bond between the brothers Barry Gibb. Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb was stronger than ever. It’s the story of how one of the most successful acts of the Rock Era reinvented themselves when Barry found his falsetto and the #1 hit Jive talkin came from driving over a bridge and the sound the tires made on the road...

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Interview: Sammy Hagar on Writing Van Halen’s “Right Now” and Its Surprising Legacy Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

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 the mighty Van Halen and having back to back #1 albums with 5150 and 0U812, the band needed to evolve with the changing times. Sammy had the lyrics to this song in his head for months but his cowriter Eddie Van Halen wasn’t on board. one night Sammy was playing video games and heard Eddie playing something on the piano instead of the guitar … the Red Rocker walked in and started singing his lyrics over the piano figure and the game changing song was born. It had a legendary music video to go along with it, but the Sammy HATED it until he didn’t;. they put it in on an album he wanted to call the F word. Sammy tells the story in this exclusive interview coming up on Professor Of Rock.

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Interview: Martin Fry on ABC’s “The Look of Love” and the Breakup That Inspired It Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

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 out in the second british wave in the 80s. He tells us about his band’s signature hit, the elegant synth pop masterwork The Look of Love. It lit up both sides of the Atlantic. Most think it’s a happy song because of the music but it actually came from the lead singer getting his teeth kicked in by an ex lover.. Well The producer Trevor Horn Video Killed the Radio Star Fame, was such a perfectionist he actually had Martin’s ex lover come in and record a part in the song so it was true to life! The story if coming up next on professor of rock.

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Terence Trent D’Arby’s Rise and Fall: How Hype and Hubris Derailed His Career Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

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 one who started the rumor. With his eyes firmly fixed on rock immortality not only did he declare himself a musical genius, but he claimed his debut was better than the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper. However, the self-hype started to get so big that people started to wonder if he was his own biggest fan. But to his credit, his record the Hardline According to Terrence Trent Darby topped the album charts and two of his singles Wishing Well and Sign Your Name were massive on the Hot 100. Could he sustain the success or would he falter… the story of both songs and his career are next...

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How Sting’s “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” Was a Response to “Every Breath You Take” Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

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 disturbing stalker #1 hit of 1983, Every Breath You take. After 4 straight #1 albums in the UK, their first #1 Album in America, and first #1 Single… the Police were on top of the world. No one was bigger than they were at the time. Which made what happened next so perplexing to their fanbase. They simply quit. Or at least they quit playing together. Today, we try to figure out why and tell the story of how their iconic lead singer Sting gave up a guaranteed goldmine to go it alone while taking a huge gamble on his first solo album. How a nightmare about a blue monster actually broke up the band…

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How Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” Went from a Joke Riff to an 80s Anthem Jan 14, 2023

Show notes

Visit https://iolo.com/professorofrock and use code PROFESSOROFROCK to get 60% off System Mechanic Ultimate Defense with 30 Days of FREE 24/7 Live Tech Support. Thanks for Sponsoring the video iolo! Today’s song contains one of the most iconic opening riffs of all time… from one of the most notorious and dangerous bands of the 80s: Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses.

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How Tom Petty’s “American Girl” Became His Most Iconic Song Without Ever Being a Hit Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

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 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers etched the superstar onto the Mt. Rushmore of rock n’ roll storytellers. The fact & fiction surrounding one of the greatest rock songs ever. IN hindsight it’s actually this Tom and his band the Heartbreakers biggest hit ever… Except for the fact that it wasn’t actually a hit.. and it was the last song he ever played live. the real story of this classic rock standard is next.. …. NEXT on Professor of Rock.”

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Interview: Carlos Santana on the Spontaneous Creation of a #1 Hit in One Take Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

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.

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Interview: Dave Sabo on How Skid Row’s “I Remember You” Became Their Biggest Hit Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

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 okay. In fact, their exact thinking is that it was cheesy even though it rocked harder than most ballads… Well, their label and management both felt it would be a smash as did the band’s friend John Bon Jovi. So Dave the Snake Sabo, Rachel Bolan, Sebastian Back, and the band recorded it. Coming up the founder, guitarist, and co-writer Dave Sabo shares the first-hand account of one of the most chosen songs for the prom with one of the best vocals of that year, from a band that was deemed hair metal even though they were straight hard rock. The story is next on Professor of Rock

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Interview: John Oates on How Heartbreak Inspired Hall & Oates’ First Hit “She’s Gone” Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

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 Gone! A song from that was released 3 times over a few years before it finally charted at #6 and became an all time classic helping put the most successful duo on the map for good. And to think it all came from John getting stood up by a beautiful woman on new years eve. He may owe his entire career to that rejection… We also discuss the story behind the hit Sara Smile.Get the stories in an exclusive interview coming up next on Professor Of Rock.

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