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 R.E.M.’s Losing My Religion Became an Unlikely 90s Anthem Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

The otherworldly story of how an indie band went global with the unlikeliest hit.. maybe ever… R.E.M. Losing my Religion from their 1991 masterpiece blockbuster Out of Time. Months before 90s grunge took over, REM set the tone with a song about madness using an old southern saying… Michael Stipe masterfully sang the tune, with Peter Buck’s Mandolin and Mike Mills and Bill Berry holding their own…the story of a classic.

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Pete Rivera on the Story Behind Rare Earth’s I Just Want to Celebrate Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

The story of the 70s rock soul hit I Just Want to Celebrate as told by drummer/ singer Pete Rivera. The song went to the top 10 in 1971 and the band played CAL JAM to over 300k fans.

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Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1966 – One of Music’s Greatest Years Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

Up next we’re going to go behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1966. Hailed by many as the finest year in music history..55 years ago to be exact.. Will the new number one be the Beach Boys, the Beatles, The Monkees, The Supremes, Herman’s Hermits or someone else? Including exclusive interviews with Brian Wilson, Mitch Ryder, Lamont Dozier, and many more.

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Jess Harnell on Rock Sugar, Voice Acting, and Reimagining Classic Rock Hits Nov 09, 2021

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An interview with a legendary voice actor who is also a Rockstar. In fact he’s so great at mimicking voices, he was once sued by a famous singer for sounding too much like him. The lead singer of Rock Sugar and the voice of Wacko Warner from Animaniacs, Crash Bandicoot and Roger Rabbit., a man of 1000 voices on his story…

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How “Weird Al” Yankovic Conquered 80s Radio with an Accordion and Parody Genius Nov 04, 2021

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he story of how a regular guy named Alfred Yankovic became the foremost pop culture satirist Weird Al through his mastering of the accordion and parodying rock and pop classics in the 80s including his breakout hit Eat It a parody of Michael Jackson's 1983 #1 hit BEAT IT.

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Jerry Casale on Devo’s Groundbreaking SNL Performance and New Wave Legacy Nov 03, 2021

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The story behind New Wave pioneers Devo and their history making performance on Saturday Night Live performing their unique cover of the Rolling Stones’ “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”. Jerry Casale gives wonderful insight on their performance and on the origins of some of the most iconic elements of DEVO including the red energy domes the band wears. Get Jerry's new song and more at: https://www.geraldvcasale.com

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Glen Phillips on Toad the Wet Sprocket’s All I Want and Their Unlikely Rise Nov 02, 2021

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Glenn Phillips on the story of Toad the West Sprocket’s classic 90s hit All I Want from their masterpiece album FEAR. How the band formed and was named after a Monty Python sketch, all in our toad the wet sprocket interview.

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How Iron Maiden’s The Trooper Redefined Heavy Metal Nov 01, 2021

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The story of Iron Maiden’s 1980s classic the Trooper from their spectacular album Piece of Mind. After their first their first lead singer left due to substance abuse, Bruce Dickinson came into Iron Maiden with a Fury and between he and bassist Steve Harris, created a the Trooper inspired by an Tennyson poem. How this Heavy Metal classic scared us senseless...

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The Story Behind Van Halen’s Diver Down – The 80s Album That Split Opinions Oct 30, 2021

Show notes

The story of Van Halen’s 5th studio record: Diver Down inducing the story of Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Micheal Anthony and David Lee roth’s romp through the hit covers Oh’ Pretty Woman and Dancing’ In the Street and stand out tracks Little Guitars and Hang ‘Em High. The story of Van Halen’s most underrated album from the 80s

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How Steve Miller Used a Cheap Synth to Create Fly Like an Eagle – A 70s Classic Oct 29, 2021

Show notes

The story of Steve Miller Band’s classic rock standard from 1973, Fly Like An Eagle. The story of how this 70s hit came about is very interesting, Steve Miller wrote it for Native Americans as protest song. It was part of a legendary top 5 that included Bob Seger’s Night Movies and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s remake of Blinded by the Light.

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