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:

Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1976 – Rock, Disco, and Lasting Legends Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

We go behind the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1976. 45 years ago. Then we re rank them based on their legacy since that week. including songs by Heart, Chicago, the Bee Gees, Gordon Lighfoot and Steve Miller band, as well as one of the worst songs ever? Take a walk down memory lane and find out what happened to music!

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How Norah Jones’ Don’t Know Why Became the Best-Selling Album of the Decade Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

Before Adele, another blockbuster music queen was Norah Jones. Here we celebrate the 20th anniversary of her amazing song Don’t Know Why from her multiplatinum record Come Away with Me. An excessive interview that goes through the history of this jazz phenomenon...

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The Iconic Miami Vice Soundtrack – How It Defined 80s TV and Music Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

The story of the biggest tv soundtrack of the 1980s: Miami Vice from the Theme by Jan Hammer to the two Glenn Frey tracks You Belong to the City and Smuggler’s Blues… cowritten by frequent Eagles collaborator Jack Tempchin who tells the story of writing them. Get ready for a showstopper we’re going back to 1985.

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Revisiting the Top 10 Songs from This Week in 1981 – Which Hits Still Shine? Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

We count down the top 10 songs of this VERY same week from the year 1981. 40 years ago and then we rerank them based on their performance since, with your stories and artist commentary. Including hits from hall and Oates, Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks, Journey, Lionel Richie and Diana Ross The Rollins Stones and Christopher Cross. Drake has nothing on these artists.

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Unboxing Steely Dan’s Northeast Corridor Live & Donald Fagen’s The Nightfly Live Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

We unbox 2 live albums: Northeast Corridor: Steely Dan Live 2 LP and Donald Fagen's The NightFly Live LP. We tell the story behind their 80s hit HEY NINETEEN as well as Donald Fagen’s solo masterpiece The Nightfly including the story of IGY (What A Beautiful World). Both of these live albums capture flawless performances by Donald Fagen and Steely Dan, as a tribute to the late Walter Becker.

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Jon Anderson on Yes’s Roundabout – From 70s Prog Classic to Internet Meme Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

Rock and Roll hall of famer Jon Anderson tells the story of the band Yes and their 70s progressive rock classic hit Roundabout. In a zoom interview he takes us through the process of writing it and recording a song that is beloved by generations including being used as a meme.

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The Story Behind Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir – A 70s Rock Epic That Left Its Mark Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

The story of Led Zeppelin’s rock masterpiece, Kashmir from their 70s double album Physical Graffiti. How Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham all came together to create metaphysical song that scared Page and brought Plant to tears.

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How Eddie Vedder’s Alive Launched Pearl Jam and Unraveled a Personal Truth Oct 14, 2021

Show notes

The story of Pearl Jam’s breakthrough classic 90s song Alive form their Multi-platinum album TEN. Eddie Vedder was brought in after Mother Love Bone’s singer Andrew Wood tragically died. Stone Gossard, Mike McCready and Jeff Ament forged on and changed their name to Pearl Jam and their new singer Eddie Vedder recorded a personal song about finding out who his real father, was having been lied to for years...

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Toto on the Accidental Magic of Rosanna – Inspired by Rosanna Arquette Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

Toto tells the story of their epic #2 classic rock hit Rosanna from 1982. Steve Lukather, David Paich and Steve Porcaro tell the details behind creating it and how actress Rosanna Arquette was the Muse. Arquette inspired two of the greatest songs of the 80s In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel and Rosanna By Toto.

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