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 B-52s’ Rock Lobster Inspired John Lennon’s Return to Music Jun 09, 2022

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Coming Up a song that missed the top 40 in the early 80s but has since then Rock Lobster by the B-52s has become a modern day standard and a major influence after it was released. Cindy Wilson tells the story of how it helped John Lennon come out of retirement and how she and Kate Pierson mimicked sea creatures to get it’s interesting sound and Fred Schneider’s deadpan delivery. The song was punctuated their homage to Yoko Ono. The story of a classic New Avant Guard classic is coming up next.

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The Enduring Legacy of I Melt With You by Modern English Jun 07, 2022

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Up next the story of one of the greatest new wave singles ever released from the lead singer and songwriter of 80s band MODERN ENGLISH, mr. Robbie Grey on the crazy story of I Melt With You which was Inspired by nuclear war and It reached number seven on Billboard mainstream rock chart in 1983 and was re-released in 1990 reaching number 76 on its Hot 100 chart in 1990 Even though it was a one hit wonder, it’s a song that has penetrated every continent and ever generation. The enduring story of a classic next on Professor of Rock.

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Stone Temple Pilots’ Defiant #1 Hit and Scott Weiland’s Personal Struggle Jun 06, 2022

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Everyone loves a love triangle, right? Just as long as you’re not the one on the outs. Well, today’s song was written by Stone Temple Pilots. Frontman Scott Weiland wrote the lyrics about a love triangle between he and his fiancee and the third party, who wasn’t human. The song was a massive hit on the rock charts in the 90s after STP’s first album blew up and critics trashed the band, but they had the last laugh with this hit that described Scott’s battle with an addiction that had a tragic result.

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How Naked Eyes Transformed Always Something There to Remind Me into an 80s Classic Jun 02, 2022

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80s New Wave band, Naked Eyes consisting of Pete Byrne and Rob Fisher took the Burt Bacharach and Hal David classic (There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me and turned it into a show stopping 80s classic taking it to upper reaches of the Billboard Hot 100, retitling it simply, Always Something There To Remind Me. Naked Eyes Lead Singer Pete Byrne tells the story of recording the classic at Abby Road Studios. In the 80s, plenty of remakes of 60s hit’s ruled the charts. Tommy James and the Shondells alone saw three of their song remade and hit upper reaches of the billboard charts, There was Crimson and Clover by Joan Jett, Mony Mony by Billy Idol and I think We’re Alone Now by Tiffany. Motown songs too You Keep Me Hangin On hit #1 for Kim Wilde, a remake of the Supremes original #1. Phil Collins did it with You Can’t Hurry Love another #1 by the Supremes so it would make sense for for Naked Eyes to re make a Burt Bacharach and Hal David composition. Naked Eyes had another hit that’s become a classic, the wonderfulPromises, Promises.

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5 Overlooked 80s New Wave Gems That Deserve More Recognition May 31, 2022

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Introducing the story of 5 cult classics from 80s New Wave. I’ve said it before, Some people are sticklers for labels or genres. I’m calling them new wave... Here are five New Wave Cult classics hidden gems from the 80s that deserve recognition and celebration including the Smiths Rusholme Ruffians from Meat is Murder, my favorite band ever. Appetite by Prefab Sprout from Steve McQueen, who’s singer Paddy McAloon had virtually disappear from the public eye, Kiss Off by Violent Femmes from their debut album that sold a million copies and no one can explain how. as well as Silver by Echo and the Bunnymen from Ocean Rain, and Uncertain Smile by The The.

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How Steve Stevens' Blazing Solo Made the Top Gun Theme an 80s Classic May 30, 2022

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Coming up, 80s guitar hero Steve Stevens who shredded and co-wrote many of Billy Idol’s greatest songs had his gear set up in a studio when film composer Harold Faltermeyer asked him to play a blazing solo for an upcoming movie starring Tom Cruise. The guitar virtuoso began to shred and within minutes he finished the song in 1 take and moved on to the next thing and forgot all about it. To him it was nothing.. well months later it became synonymous with one of the biggest blockbuster films ever in Top Gun and decades later it’s still killing it…. The Top Gun Theme is covered next in an exclusive interview.

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How Led Zeppelin’s All My Love Became Robert Plant’s Emotional Tribute May 28, 2022

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In the late 70s, Led Zeppelin divided their fanbase when they released an album that, well... didn’t rock... Or at least that what the naysayers said. Admittedly, this record and today’s song All My Love were a journey into new territory. But Zeppelin wasn’t apologizing. In fact, it was a matter of personal catharsis for Robert Plant who was coming to grips with the most devastating tragedy of his life even as the band was starting to break down with Jimmy Page and John Bonham’s substance abuse problems, John Paul Jones became more central to the band’s Success on IN Through the Out Door the story is coming up NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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The Best 80s Songs from Stranger Things Season 3 and Why They Matter May 25, 2022

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Stranger Things Season 4 is just around the corner and in celebration we’re counting down the Top 5 songs from Stranger Things Season 3. In this episode, we’re really packing in as much as we can. With exclusive artist interviews, including REO Speedwagon, Howard Jones Limahl and Foreigner and we’ll go behind the scenes of the show including the big final that had the Theme song from the 80s fantasy film the Never Ending Story. and I’LL GIVE YOU MY TAKE on why these are the best song. Plus, you’re going to get insight into why each song is such a perfect fit for the story. So, get ready for a Stranger Things Fiver that will have you thinking about the series in a whole new way... NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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How Jefferson Starship Reinvented Themselves with Jane – Inspired by Toto? May 24, 2022

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Up next Jefferson Airplane revolutionized 60s rock with a rebellious psychedelic spirit, but after a split they changed when the decade ended. Transforming into a classic rock 70s outfit with a more accessible sound starting with the hit song JANE. sung by newcomer Mickey Thomas. who share this insight along with band member David Frieberg who co-wrote the classic, turning Classic Rock radio upside down but didn’t they get some inspiration from Hold the Line by Toto. Find out next.

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The Haunting Story Behind Lullaby by The Cure – 80s Creepiest Song? May 23, 2022

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The unorthodox track known as Lullaby by Robert Smith and the Cure has so many stories tied to it. It came from the 1989 classic Disintegration that record execs called a career killer. The creepy opus really was misunderstood from the start. However, hypnotic, haunting, and kind of horrible, this song told a tale that was too shocking to turn away from. About a Spider eating Smith alive. it was the 80s creepiest song and induced plenty of nightmares but where did it come from and what is it really about?

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