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:

Peter Cox of Go West on We Close Our Eyes and the Iconic 80s Bassline Connection Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

Today we talk with the lead singer and co-writer of one of the best British new wave duos of the 80s… The soul surviving hit making group, Go West. Go West was formed by the soulful new wave crooner Peter Cox and the smooth voiced Richard Drummie in the 80s and were successful in the UK first with the hit We Close Our Eyes. Which went top5 on the british charts while getting radio play in America and barely missing the top 40, peaking at 41. Peter Cox tells us the story of writing it and the first time he heard it on the radio as well AS WORKING WITH FAMED music directors Gooley and Creme.

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Perry Farrell on the Wild Story Behind Jane’s Addiction’s Been Caught Stealing Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

Legendary Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell grew up stealing clothes from a thrift store and even stole from a commercial airline This is the hilarious story of Been Caught Stealing the 90s alternative rock classic from Ritual De Lo Habitual which signified Jane’s as the Godfathers of Alternative Rock.

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How Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Under the Bridge Became an Unlikely Anthem Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

While driving home from rehearsal one day, Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers was in a melancholy mood. Flashing back to his former drug-induced days, he saw himself strung-out on a dirty mattress beneath an overpass. Surrounded by junkies and gang-bangers, it was a miracle that he was still alive. Suddenly, in the midst of his sorrow, he started singing... And for the rest of the ride, he freestyled a song that not only his soothed his trauma, but inspired a generation cope with theirs as well. UNDER the BRIDGE the classic anthem of the early 90s. So get ready, we’re taking you to the place you love, we’re taking you all the way… with Flea, John Frusciante, Chad Smith and Anthony Kiedis of the Chili Peppers NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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Breaking Down the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1983 Apr 23, 2022

Show notes

Up next we’re going to go go behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1983 39 years ago. This top 10 has a very unique event… Michael Jackson was at #1 the week previous to this and would have a chance to replace himself at #1 Will he do it or will Styx, Prince, Dexy’s Midnight Runners or the Police stop him?With your stories and the artist’s commentary from exclusive interviews We'll Find out next on our latest edition of the Hit Song Redux!

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The Turbulent Story of Sweet and Their 70s Hit Ballroom Blitz Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

If there was ever a cautionary tale about a rock group making a deal with the devil to hit the big time, it would be the story of the rise and fall of SWEET. A saga of talent, fame & excess, followed by violence, frustration, alcoholism, disaster, poverty, and death. Along this bumpy journey, there are a lot of GREAT songs that will make you stand up and cheer. I want to warn you….it’s gonna be electric and frantically hectic.. the story of their biggest american hit Ballroom Bltiz from the 70s is .NEXT…on Professor of Rock.

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Rush’s Moving Pictures at 40 – Breaking Down Their Landmark Album Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

Coming up, We Break down the biggest selling album of Rush’s storied career, celebrating Moving Pictures 40th Anniversary by unboxing the Deluxe 5 Lp set. You Can Purchase Here: https://rush.lnk.to/MovingPictures40th0F

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Andrew Farriss on Writing INXS’s Need You Tonight – A Hit Born in Chaos Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

In early 1988 the INXS song Need You Tonight went to #1… becoming the signature hit for a legendary band with closet full of hits and memorable songs..Not bad for a song that was written on a crappy little 8 track machine while a taxi honked impatiently while it’s co writer Andrew Farriss tried to finish it so he wouldn’t miss his plane to Hong Kong to write with iconic lead singer, Michael Hutchence who listen to it and wrote the memorable lyrics in just a few minutes… This is one of the most entertaining song stories ever with the actually co writer here to tell us next…

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Top 5 Hidden Gem Songs from 80s Movies – Underrated Classics Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

WE count down the top 5 hidden gems from 80s movies. When you do this, it’s almost impossible to avoid the great John Hughes. He fingerprints were all over the greatest movies of the time like Weird Science (OINGO BOINGO), Pretty in Pink (OMD), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (The Beatles) The Breakfast Club (Simple Minds) but here we capture the hidden gems in his and others films including the Karate Kid, The Wild Life, and Sixteen Candles as some of the icons of the era help me count them down and tell the stories, including Paul Young, Huey Lewis, Young MC and Tom Bailey of the Thompson Twins

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How a Barroom Comment Led to One of the Biggest Movie Songs of 1990 Apr 12, 2022

Show notes

up next one of the most under appreciated singers of the 80s had a few years of bad luck in the industry… until he was in the right place at the right time and got a career defining opportunity when one of the biggest movies of 1990 used their song in the opening credits and the song became a smash. The heart stopping singer tells us the story of one of the greatest movie songs ever and how the title came from a random comment at a bar…next on professor of rock brought to you by Zenni.

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The Story Behind Gordon Lightfoot’s Sundown – A Hit Fueled by Jealousy Apr 09, 2022

Show notes

While Canadian Singer-Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot was at his secluded Farm entrenched in writing his new album, his drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend went out on the town and partied.. As the sun began to set, he began to wonder who she might be with, and even worse, what she might be doing. Crazy with jealousy, he penned the gut-wrenching 1970s #1 hit Sundown that no boyfriend wants to think too hard about… so what really happened that night FIND OUT NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

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