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:

Def Leppard on Creating “Photograph” and How It Launched Them to Rock Superstardom Jul 14, 2022

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The amazing story behind Def Leppard and their breakthrough hit Photograph from their 1983 smash 10 million selling album Pyromania. Joe Elliott and company had to recruit a new guitarist when their current player was coming to recordings intoxicated. They tapped Phil Collen and he ended up saving the album with killer solos. Super producer Mutt Lange set the band straight and they had their first smash hit… Was the song about a Hollywood starlet? Joe Elliott has told several different stories… Find out which one’s true next.

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Steve Stevens on Crafting the Signature Sound of “Rebel Yell” and the Wild Story Behind the Hit Jul 13, 2022

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Next one of the Gen X's greatest guitar heroes, Steve Stevens breaks down a bonafide 80s classic. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol. First of all the song title came from a night of partying with the Rolling Stones… Then when they tried to record it, their drummer wasn’t hacking it… Low and behold they could hear a rival band recording next door with a killer drummer so they recruited him for the session and he ended up joining the band. then the guitarist created the song’s signature sound from a toy robot.. It’s a great story behind a classic straight from the man… next on professor of rock.

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The Story Behind “Summer Breeze” and the Soft Rock Legacy of Seals & Crofts Jul 12, 2022

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We just lost a soft rock icon. Jim Seals was half of one of the most successful duos of the 70s- Seal and Crofts and the author of an enrapturing Yacht Rock classic Summer Breeze We blow through the jasmine, and pay tribute to a revered soft rock legend with the story behind the classic 70s hit Summer Breeze and reflect on it’s power to take us back home again next on Professor of Rock.

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Ranking the Top 10 Songs from 1982 – A Look Back at an Iconic Year in Music Jul 09, 2022

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Coming up, we’re going to go behind the Top 10 songs of this very same week from the year 1982. You know we’ve done a lot of these Redux episodes on this channel, but I gotta say, today’s show might have all them beat. It’s absolutely stacked with great songs. When comparing it today’s top hits you almost want to cry.. How far we’ve fallen IT’s really sad. The 80s Ruled...this time around there are some serious countdown contenders... Including what may be the heaviest hitting movie theme song of all time Eye of the Tiger by Survivor. Then Asia with the Heat of the Moment , some of New Wave’s finest British Invaders like Soft Cell with Tainted Love and The Human League with Don’t You Want Me and some surprise underdogs... and it’s going to be a real fight to the finish to see who comes out on top... NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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The Story Behind "Good Vibrations" – How Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys Stunned the Beatles Jul 07, 2022

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Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys was America's Original Rock band and we celebrate their 60 the anniversary as we UNBOX the Beach Boys Sound of Summer 6 LP set and have an exclusive interview with some of the members of the original band, including Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine. Brian and the boys created Pet Sound and Good Vibrations only 5 months part as just 24 years of age. The album and song blew everyone away, especially the Beatles. We celebrate that legacy next on Professor Of Rock.

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The Story Behind "Once in a Lifetime" – How Talking Heads Made Us Question Reality Jul 05, 2022

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Up next the story of One of the strangest, most compelling songs in the history of the 20th century. It’s the kind of 80s New Wave hit that makes you rethink the meaning of life. Once In a Lifetime by Talking Heads. David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz were the quirky avant guard master of a whole new musical level as they made us look beyond the social construct. Jerry Harrison tells the story of this amazing song. that had an equally fascinating music video .

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The 70s Rock Anthem That Became the Most Requested Song of All Time! Jul 04, 2022

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'It began as an innocent remark precipitated from a lover’s quarrel, that progressed into an anthem for freedom. The legacy of Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd the 70s classic, the greatness of the creation from Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Al Cooper'It began as an innocent remark that came from a lover’s quarrel, it turned into a legendary song that has likely been requested at every Live Rock show ever since. At first the singer didn’t think it was anything special, then one night he laid on his back in the the corner of the studio and wrote it in a few minutes. At on point it was 17 minutes long. Once recorded the label hated it. They tried to stop it form being put on the album.Eventually this classic rock standard progressed into an anthem for freedom. coming up, The legacy of one of the signature songs by a blessed... and a cursed Hall of Fame band from Florida…. NEXT on Professor of Rock.'

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The 70s Rock Anthem That Started as a Joke…Then Made Them Legends! Jul 02, 2022

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Thanks to Bespoke Post for sponsoring this video! Head to https://bespokepost.com/rock20 and use code ROCK20 to learn more and get 20% off your first box

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How a Grunge Anthem Resurrected This 80s Comedy Rock Legend! Jul 01, 2022

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It was a dark, dark time back in the summer of 1989. Or at least it was for today’s featured artist. After conquering the 80s with his own unique brand of musical genius Weird Al Yankovic found that critics and audiences had turned against him. After his should’ve been a hit movie UHF bombed. From there things got even worse when his longtime A-list partner Michael Jackson Rejected his latest song parody. Al wondered if he Was he doomed to be a relic of the 80s? Or could he write a comeback hit for the ages? Enter Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. He recorded a send up of Smells Like Teen Spirit… He did it with a mouthful or marbles…It saved his career… The story is next on Professor or Rock.

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The One-Hit Wonder That Charted Twice in the 80s—And Everyone Misunderstands It! Jun 30, 2022

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Up next we celebrate Benny Mardones who passed away 2 years ago. Considered by the industry to be a one hit wonder. His one hit, called Into the Night was much more than that simple label.. It has charted 3 different times over the last 40 years including hitting the billboard hot top 20 twice in the 80s at the beginning and end of the decade. It’s one of the most misunderstood song of the rock era, and isn’t about what you think it’s about! It’s singer and writer was a special soul, who battled his demons and won, inspiring so many along the way. I was able to interview him before he passed and it’s definitely one of my most cherished sit down ever. Coming up on professor of rock.

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