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:

Nick Laird-Clowes on Life in a Northern Town and David Gilmour’s Role in Its Creation Sep 18, 2021

Show notes

Nick Laird Clowes of The Dream Academy tells the exhilarating story behind the moving and hypnotic 1985 song Life in A Northern Town and How David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Paul Simon helped him reach his full potential with the hit. This interview is a beautiful example of the magical muse that transpires when a song is born and raised in greatness.. On professor for rock.

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How AC/DC’s Back in Black and Its Iconic Riff Ignited the 80s Sep 17, 2021

Show notes

The story of AC/DC’s hard rock classic Back In Black from there 1980 album of the same name. Bon Scott has just passed and Angus Young and brother Malcolm brought in Brian Johnson who helped AC/DC rise to the top of the album charts. including an interview with Phil Carson.

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How Pour Some Sugar on Me and Hysteria Made Def Leppard Rock Legends Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

The story of Side 2 of Def Leppard Hysteria, the blockbuster of 1987 and 1988 including the story of Pour Some Sugar On Me which was inspired by the Archie’s hit Sugar, Sugar and saved the album from being a failure. Also the stories of how Mutt Lange, Joe Elliott, Phil Collen, Steve Clark, Rick Savage and Rick Allen created Armageddon it, Hysteria the title track and others from side 2.

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KT Tunstall on the Accidental Breakthrough of Black Horse and the Cherry Tree Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

KT Tunstall tells these unbelievable story of her #1 HIT, Black Horse and A Cherry Tree. This Interview blew me away, as I wasn’t expecting such a cool story and a cool artist…KT explains how because of a freak cancelation on Jools Holland, KT was able to perform her song with a Loop Pedal and overnight here song scaled the charts. She plays the song and tells the story of writing this Bo Diddley/ Bonnie Raitt like pop hit from the 2000s.

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Paul Rodgers on Alright Now and His Legendary Career with Free, Bad Company & The Firm Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Paul Rodgers is a legend’s legend, He is many legendary singer's favorite vocalist including Ann Wilson of Heart, Freddy Mercury of Queen, Robert Plant, and Lou Gramm formerly of Foreigner. Up next we celebrate Paul Rodgers and his days in Free, Bad Company and the Firm and we get the story of the 70s classic Alright Now with an exclusive interview with Paul.

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Brian Vander Ark on the True Meaning Behind The Verve Pipe’s The Freshmen Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

The story of 90s hit The Freshmen by The Verve Pipe. Lead singer and songwriter Brian Vander Ark tells the story of creating the #1 alternative rock song and the true meaning behind this 1997 hit that has perplexed many with its mysterious lyrics.

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Howard Jones on the Stories Behind His Top 5 Synth-Pop Classics Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

Celebrating 80s synth pop legend Howard Jones by counting down his top 5 songs including Things Can Only Get Better, The Prisoner, No One Is to Blame and What Is Love with commentary from the new wave legend himself.

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How The Romantics’ What I Like About You Became a Hit Years After Its Release Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

The story of the Romantics classic power pop 80s smash “What I Like About You”. It actually wasn’t a hit when it first came out, but got a lift from a beer commercial 10 years after it’s first release to become one of the biggest classic rock song’s ever. Wally Palmer and Mike Skill tell the story of the band who had another 80s smash a few years later with Talking In your Sleep.

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The Story Behind Elton John’s Tiny Dancer – A 70s Classic with Infamously Misheard Lyrics Aug 28, 2021

Show notes

How Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote the 1970s classic rock standard Tiny Dancer and why it should’ve been a #1 Hit. From the masterpiece album Madman Across the Water, Tiny Dancer became a hit years later when it was used in the iconic scene from Cameron Crowe’s Oscar winning film Almost Famous.

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The Story Behind The Beatles’ Hey Jude – A 7-Minute Anthem for Julian Lennon Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

The story of the Beatles biggest hit, Hey Jude. Written by Paul McCartney for John Lennon’s song Julian Lennon after his mom and dad got divorced. It was one of the longest songs to hit #1 on the Billboard charts at over 7 minutes and ushered in a new phase for the Fab Four.

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