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:

Suzi Quatro on Her Trailblazing Rock Career and Overdue Rock Hall Recognition Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

A candid conversation with female rock pioneer Suzi Quatro who paved the way for everyone from Joan Jett to Ann Wilson of Heart to Pat Benatar. Suzie Q tells us about her recent documentary and the stories behind here great 70s hits that shook up radio in a time where pop and disco were dominating.

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Top 5 Hidden Gems from 80s One-Hit Wonders Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

It’s a mashup of two shows: Bottled Lightening meets 80s hidden gems. I count down my top 5 hidden gems from the 80s that were also one hit wonders. From formers members of the band 10CC who would go on to direct the Police and Duran Duran’s most iconic videos to a song that was used in the classic John Hughes film, Some Kind of Wonderful to an australian 80s new wave synth pop group, we have some wondrous songs from the neon decade.

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How Van Halen’s Runnin’ with the Devil and Eruption Kickstarted 80s Rock Feb 21, 2022

Show notes

In 1978, Van Halen launched their first album featuring a hellish classic rock tempest that crushed the status quo, and introduced a superstar musician for the ages one Eddie Van Halen. as well as the great frontman David Lee Roth. We present to you, the saga of Van Halen’s “Runnin with the Devil” and “Eruption the greatest two sides single of the late 70s

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Steve Vai on Learning from Satriani, Frank Zappa, and Teaming with David Lee Roth Feb 18, 2022

Show notes

Up next one of rock premier guitar virtuosos tells us how he learned guitar from Joe Satriani as a teen and cut his teeth with Frank Zappa and then starting a band with David Lee Roth after he left Van Halen.. in 1986 it was Van Halen vs Diamond Dave, and his secret weapon Mr. Steve Vai… the story of that plus behind DLR’s smash album Eat ‘Em and Smile and Yankees Rose.

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The Story Behind Gordon Lightfoot’s The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald – A Haunting 70s Epic Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

The haunting 70s saga of the 29 members who lost their lives, the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald. How Gordon Lightfoot wrote a masterpiece that brought peace to the family members. This story behind the song and the crew from the 1976 rock epic the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald lyric by lyric.

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The Motels on the Story Behind Only the Lonely and the Dark Side of Fame Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

The story of one of my favorite songs ever the dark and atmospheric 80s top 10 hit, Only the Lonely by the Motels…over the course of interviewing artists about their greatest songs, I’ve come upon my some of my favorite songs ever. This is one of those interviews. A song that has stuck with me since I first heard it at 6 years of age. Lead singer Martha Davis and saxophonist Marty Jourard tell the story of crafting the song and the dark side of fame. This New Wave band is still together.

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Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1975 – Who Stands the Test of Time? Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

It’s time for another Hit Song Redux This Time we’re going behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1975 47 years ago. This top 10 has some of the greatest songs of all time that we still hear today and as usual we have the actual artists tell us the stores.? Who is the real #1 all of these year later Is it the Doobie Brothers, Is it the Eagles, Or Grand Funk Railroad? or Stevie Wonder. Find out next on the Hit Song Redux of 70s

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How Metallica’s Enter Sandman Took Over Radio and Redefined Heavy Metal Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

In 1991, Metallica changed the world forever as they went global with the Black Album including their menacing song: Enter Sandman, the song should’ve been a #1 hit, it’s certainly outlasted the songs form the week it peaked on the charts. up next We celebrate the genius of Enter Sandman and the Black album. The song was written by Metallica’s big three. James Hetfield, Kirk Hammet and Lars Ulrich. A metal masterwork if there ever was one.

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Richard Marx on Writing Right Here Waiting – A #1 Hit in Minutes Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

One of the biggest artists of the late 80s Who’s first 7 singles reached the top 5 and debut album was triple platinum, Richard Marx tells the hilarious story behind his biggest hit and one of the most popular love song of all time, Right Here Waiting which went to #1 in 1989 from his 4X platinum album Repeat Offender. It’s a song that every 80s kids knows by heart and can likely play on the piano.

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Rupert Holmes on the Banned 70s Hit Timothy – A Song Too Controversial for Radio Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

It was called the Worst song of All time. When the 70s band the Buoys were forced to promote their new single without their record label’s support or any marketing money they decided to grab everyone’s attention by writing a song so controversial that he wouldn't need any help. Rupert Holmes of Escape (the Pina Colada song) fame tells the interesting story of writing Timothy, a song about a mining accident and cannabilism It’s a fascinating story from the 70s about a song that was banned as well as other funny stories form Tony award winner Rupert Holmes.

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