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:

Lionel Richie’s Incredible Run of #1 Hits – His Top 5 Songs Solo & with the Commodores Aug 24, 2021

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Up next we tell the story of one of the smoothest voices ever and a man who had 9 straight years with a #1 hit. Lionel Richie. We break down his top 5 songs both solo and with the Commodores including Sail On, Three Times A Lady, All Night Long, Penny Lover and so many more.

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How Def Leppard Defied the Odds to Create Hysteria – An 80s Rock Masterpiece Aug 20, 2021

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The unbelievable story of the 1987 blockbuster Hysteria by Def Leppard. How Joe Elliot, Steve Clark, Rick Savage, Rick Allen and Phil Collen created an album for the ages with Mutt Lange and the battle to finish a classic. With commentary by Joel Elliot

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Art Alexakis on Writing Everclear’s Wonderful and Its Deep Personal Meaning Aug 19, 2021

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Art Alexakis of Everclear tells the story of their biggest hit, Wonderful and get extremely personal on being a Father and his experiences with his own Father.

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Steve Winwood’s Legendary Career – From Spencer Davis Group to Solo Stardom Aug 17, 2021

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The story of Steve Winwood From the Spencer Davis Group to Blind Faith to Traffic and Solo. From child prodigy, to a Hall of Fame rock n’ roll troubadour, Steve Winwood has shared his elite gift & passion with a lifetime of timeless R&B, Folk, Jazz, Progressive Rock, and pop classics with the world. , Steve Winwood truly brought us all a higher love of the arts because of his boundless gifts. This is the story of his career and his top 5 songs. including Higher Love and While You See a chance. One of the greatest voices ever.

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The Story Behind The Doors’ Light My Fire – A 60s Classic That Still Burns Bright Aug 16, 2021

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The unbelievable story of the Doors 1967 #1 Hit Light My Fire. How Robby Krieger wrote it at only 18 and how Jim Morrison took it to new heights and made it a legend.

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How Van Halen Overcame the Sophomore Jinx with Van Halen II Aug 14, 2021

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The Story of Van Halen II the band's spectacular sophomore album. They only had a few weeks to create it. The Hijinks of Eddie and Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth and Michael Anthony as we breakdown the album including classic cuts like Beautiful Girls, Dance the Night Away, D.O.A. and Bottoms Up.

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Nu Shooz on Creating I Can’t Wait – The 80s Dance Hit That Took Over the Charts Aug 13, 2021

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80s pop freestyle dance band Nu Shooz who are now Husband and Wife tell the story behind the 1986 smash hit I Can’t Wait which went to #1 on the dance club charts and crossed over to many charts. Valerie Day and John Smith tell the story of creating the song that would take their album Poolside to the masses.

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Burton Cummings on The Guess Who’s These Eyes – A 60s Classic with a Lasting Legacy Aug 11, 2021

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Canadian legend Burton Cummings who was the lead singer of The Guess Who tells the story of the 1969 classic top 10 hit, These Eyes with some interesting insight into composing it and funny commentary on how it was used in the comedy Superbad.

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3 Haunting 80s Cult Classics – The Cure, The B-52s & The Blue Nile Aug 10, 2021

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Up next we count down 3 80s cult classics including artist interviews. A Forest by the Cure from their 1980 album Seventeen Seconds Private Idaho by the B52’s from their 1980 album Wild Plant and The Downtown Lights by the Blue Nile from their 1989 album Hats

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How The Rolling Stones’ Paint It, Black Marked a Turning Point for the Band Aug 07, 2021

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The in depth story of the Rolling Stones 1966, #1 hit Paint it, Black and how the sitar started a new chapter in their glorious history including a power shift that took place marking the rise of the band’s chief composers Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and the inevitable exodus Brian Jones

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