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:

Billy Steinberg on Writing Madonna’s Like a Virgin – And Their Awkward First Meeting Dec 24, 2021

Show notes

Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Billy Steinberg tells the story of writing Madonna’s biggest 80s hit. The #1 smash Like A Virgin and how the song was not exactly what you originally thought. He also shares the notorious story of meeting Madonna..

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Unboxing The Band’s 70s album Cahoots- 50th Anniversary: Super Deluxe Edition With Song Stories Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

Click Here To Buy The Band Cahoots 50th Anniversary: Super Deluxe Edition https://theband.lnk.to/cahoots50th0F

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Real Story Behind Dan Fogelberg’s Same Old Lang Syne – A Bittersweet 80s Classic Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

Coming up a once upon a time a fledgling singer songwriter named Dan Fogelberg went back to his hometown for the holidays and ran into an ex girlfriend at a convenience store. He turned the fateful meeting of joy and sorrow in the the 1981 hit, Same Old Lang Syne from his album the Innocent Age. one of the most bittersweet story songs of the 80s. find out the real story beyond the poetic licenses that all artists take and celebrate one of the purest voices of the rock era including interviews next.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1986 – Which One Endures Today? Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

Up next we’re going to go go behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1986. 35 years ago. once again we will re rank them based on their performance since and we have some cool artist interviews… In this chart we have one of the most unlikely #1s of the decade as well as the biggest hit of 1987 battling it out as well as a couple of song that didn’t even make the top 10 that year that years later have been massive find out what the real #1 song is next. Starring Bon Jovi, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, the Bangles, Toto, Journey, Huey Lewis, Billy Idol and more

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If You LOVE the MUSIC of the 60s, 70s & 80s, here's Your Shirt! Vintage Shirts Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

New Vintage Years Designs Are Here: https://bit.ly/ProfessorsMerch

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rob Halford on Writing Breaking the Law and How Judas Priest Brought Metal to MTV Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

Metal God Rob Halford explains why he wrote BREAKING THE LAW the metal hit that rocked MTV in the early 80s and the power behind their classic album British STEEL.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Phil Collins’ Against All Odds Went from B-Side to #1 Hit Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

Phil Collins never considers this song as anything more than a B-side until a movie director wanted it for his 1984 film called Against All Odds. So Phil rewrote it and released it as Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now) to amazing fanfare including an Oscar nomination and a Grammy win. One of the most heart wrenching songs of the decade.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jess Harnell on Rock Sugar, Legendary Voices, and Winning Over 20K Angry Fans Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

You LOVED this amazing talent last time we had on our channel, so he’s back for more, the Man who was sued for sounding too much like a legendary singer. He’s the man of 1000 AND ONE voice's who’s also a rockstar, up Next, more hilarious stories as well as a breakdown of Rock Sugar’s greatest songs with Jess Harnell including reimagining Journey and Metallica, Ozzy Osborne and Rick Springfield and Motley Crue and Queen. and we we have a special surprise at the end you won’t wanna miss. Next on professor of rock

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Jerry Cantrell Honored His Father with Alice in Chains’ Rooster Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

How Guitarist Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains honored his Father in the harrowing 90s classic song Rooster. Coming up, a story about a guitarist from a Jerry’s Father, a Vietnam vet who suffered from a war that wouldn’t stop playing in his head. Jerry put himself in his Father’s boot and captured the experience. Riddled with bullets, fallen soldiers, and enduring psychological scars, the song became one of the greatest of the decade with a beautiful interpretation by singer Layne Staley. Today we honor an anthem and it’s story... NEXT on the Professor of Rock.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How Eddie Van Halen Used a Pawn Shop Keyboard to Create And the Cradle Will Rock Dec 04, 2021

Show notes

The Wicked story of Van Halen’s early 80s classic And the Cradle Will Rock . It was the first song the supergroup released with their guitar hero Eddie Van Halen playing a keyboard...and the dawning of a new era for one of America’s all-time greatest bands. Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony & Alex Van Halen ROCK the cradle…NEXT... on Professor of Rock.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Professor of Rock

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected