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 Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell Defied the Odds to Sell 45 Million Copies Feb 02, 2022

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Coming up we celebrate the larger than life legend Meatloaf and his musical legacy the Bat out of Hell Trilogy. How Meatloaf and Jim Steinman proved all the gate keepers wrong. They had one of the most powerful rock chemistries of the 70s, 80s and 90s. How they created classic like Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Two out of Three Ain’t Bad, I’d Do Anything For Love and others classics that made us who we are.

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Ann Wilson & Mike Reno on Recording Almost Paradise – An Iconic 80s Duet Jan 31, 2022

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One of the greatest duets of the 1980s. Ann Wilson of Heart was told she could handpick her male duet partner for the love theme for the 1984 blockbuster Footloose. She requested Paul Rodgers and then Robert plant. None of them could do it. Lou Gramm who was with Foreigner at the time was another pick. After schedules didn’t match up, the record label suggested Mike Reno of Loverboy. They knocked it out of the park. The duet called Almost Paradise was one of the big hits from the soundtrack . Ann Wilson and Mike Reno tell the amazing story in this exclusive interview.

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Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1983 – How Do They Compare Today? Jan 29, 2022

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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 was one of the golden years of popular music as the 80s were really coming into their own. WE have some great artist commentary to go along with this Who is the real #1? Is it Toto? Micheal Jackson, Van Halen, the Police, Pat benatar or a one hit wonder? We’ll find plus we compare the music of this top 10 from the 80s to the tops songs of today, I’ll give you a clue.. it’s a bloodbath..

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Jimmy Jam on Janet Jackson’s What Have You Done for Me Lately and the Control Era Jan 29, 2022

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What Have You Done for Me Lately" by Legend, Superstar and in my opinion the Queen of Pop Miss Jackson to be precise. Janet Jackson, the opening shot from her multi-platinum pop juggernaut Control, with the Legendary and I mean legendary duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as co-producers and co-writers. It was a recipe for pop perfection. The story of this 1986 #4 hit is told be Jimmy Jam.

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The Story Behind Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love – A Rock Revolution and Controversy Jan 27, 2022

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How Led Zeppelin created their biggest hit song, their only top 10, the provocative 70s smash Whole Lotta Love through rough waters including conservative radio programmers and later a lawsuit. Jimmy Page’s Riff has been called the best ever, Robert Plant’s evocative vocal and the incredible rhythm section of John Paul Jones and John Bonham, this song is a bonafide rock classic.... Coming up.. the story of a provocative Top 5 smash created by a daredevil supergroup that challenged the gatekeepers of commercial radio conservatism...and wound up being sued for violation of copyright laws. There’s a whole lotta yearnin’ ...and a whole lotta schoolin' NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Special Announcement to the Professor of Rock Community! Jan 26, 2022

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GET TICKETS HERE: https://www.parkcityinstitute.org/professor-of-rock-live

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Honoring Ronnie Spector – How Be My Baby and Take Me Home Tonight Influenced Rock Legends Jan 19, 2022

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A tribute to the Queen of The Wall of Sound, the influential rock Goddess Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes who passed away after a brief battle with Cancer. Ronnie Spector ruled the 60s with her #2 hit Be My Baby that influence everyone from the Beatles to Billy Joel, From Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys to Bruce Springsteen who patterned some of their biggest records after her sound. After stepping away from Rock she had a career resurgence with Eddie Money duetting on the 80s top 5 hit Take Me Home Tonight. Ronnie Spector influenced so many and will continue to do so.

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Tina Turner’s Legendary Comeback – What’s Love Got to Do with It and Private Dancer Jan 18, 2022

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The story of the greatest comeback in Rock History and the album that puT TINA TURNER in the same echelon of the Superstars of the 80s like Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, and Prince. Private Dancer with here hit What’s Love Got To do with It. Also Tina Turner's top 5 songs ever in this tribute to the Queen of Rock. Tina Turner just passed away at age 83. The legend will be missed but her song like River Deep Mountain High, We Don't Need Another Hero, Typical Male, Simply the Best and Private Dancer will live on!

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Rik Emmett on Triumph’s Greatest Songs – Rock’s Most Underrated Power Trio Jan 12, 2022

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The story behind the hits of a band that should’ve been much bigger than they were. Rik Emmet the singer and guitarist of TRIUMPH tells the story of their best song of the 70s and 80s including Hold On, Never Surrender, Lay it on the Line and more. an in depth interview from a man that then Journey singer Steve Perry was blown away by!

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How Peter Gabriel’s In Your Eyes Became an Iconic Movie Moment in Say Anything Jan 11, 2022

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One of the most mesmerizing scenes in cinema history was due to this classic alternative 80s songs… In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel. The song only went to #26 on the charts but after being used in the John Cusack/ Cameron Crowe film Say Anything it became massive. This video tells why it should’ve been a #1 hit who it was written for and how it was chosen for this 1989 teen romance.

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