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:

Neil Sedaka on Writing Solitaire – The 70s Hit That Sparked His Comeback Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

The touching story of Solitaire, the 70s hit that fueled Neil Sedaka’s big comeback. Covered by everyone from Johnny Mathis to Elvis Presley Andy Williams and the Carpenters this emotional interview is one for the ages with one of the last remains legends from the famous Brill Building.

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 The Kinks’ You Really Got Me Pioneered Guitar Distortion and Inspired Van Halen Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

The story of the top ten 60s smash You Really Got Me by the Kinks, later covered to great effect by the Mighty Van Halen in the 70s. The first major hit to feature distorted guitar by the brothers Davies. Ray Davies and Dave Davies. How this song changed everything in 1964 and how Eddie Van Halen reignited it in 1978.

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.

Roger McGuinn & David Crosby on The Byrds’ Turn! Turn! Turn! – A #1 Hit from Ancient Words Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

The story of the Byrds legendary #1 hit Turn! Turn! Turn! (to everything there is a season) from 1965. Originally released by protest folk singer Pete Seeger, the song’s lyrics are from the Holy Bible from Ecclesiastes. Roger McGuinn and David Crosby tell the story of how the Byrds met and began to perform including recording this classic song.

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.

Siedah Garrett on Writing Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror – An 80s Anthem for Change Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

The story of Michael Jackson’s life changing #1 HIT Man In the Mirror. Every once in a while, a song changes the way you look at the world. The exclusive story of this incredible song by co-writer and frequent MJ collaborator Siedah Garrett. It’s a tale that includes the incomparable touch of the great Quincy Jones and co writer Glen Ballard 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.

Geoff Downes on Asia’s Only Time Will Tell – An 80s Hidden Gem Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

The story of Asia’s other big hit from their legendary debut album from 1982, the #17 hit Only Time Will Tell from cowriter and keyboardist Geoff Downes. Geoff tells us of creating the song with the late John Wetton.

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 1983 – Which Hits Stand the Test of Time? Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

Up next we're going to go go behind the top 10 songs of this same week from the year 1983. We'll recalibrate them based on their performance up to now and with your memories and artist commentary! Including Tell Her About It By Billy Joel, The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats, Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, Mainiac by Micheal Sembello, True By Spandau Ballet, Making Love out of Nothing at All by Air Supply and Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler.

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.

Peter Frampton on Show Me the Way, Talk Box Magic, and the Biggest Live Album of the 70s Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

In our exclusive interview with Multiplatinum artist Peter Frampton, he tells us how he made it guitar talk on his 70s hit Show Me The Way and his thoughts on Yacht Rock, Dave Grohl, and the Beatles George Harrison 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.

Lamont Dozier & Music Legends on The Four Tops’ Baby I Need Your Loving and Its Lasting Impact Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

5 Rock Hall Of Famers and another icon tell the story of the #1 motown hit Baby I Need Your Loving by the Four Tops including the last remaining member Duke Fakir, as well as producer/writer Lamont Dozier of Holland Dozier Holland and Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil who were inspired by the song to write You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling with an appearance by Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers and Johnny Rivers who remade the song and took it too the top 3.

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 1979 – Which Hits Still Shine Today? Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s Hit Song Redux we look at this same week from the year 1979. Where we count down hits from the year including Electric Light Orchestra, Earth Wind and Fire, Little River Band, the Commodores and The Knack just to name a few. With your memories and dedications as well as artist commentary.

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 The Police Conquered the 80s with Every Breath You Take and Other Classics Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

How the Police including Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland took over the 80s as the biggest band in the world through their hits Every Breath You Take, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Don’t Stand so Close to me and King of Pain. The stories of their greatest songs 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