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:

Glass Tiger on Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) – Their 1986 Smash with Bryan Adams Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

The story of Canadian band Glass Tiger’s biggest hit, the 1986 #2 smash Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone, with lead singer Alan Frew and Sam Reid. It was one of those tubular radio songs that were the backbone of our coming of age years. It also had an 80s legend who sang background vocals on it, Bryan Adams.

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How The Smiths’ How Soon Is Now? Evolved from a B-Side into an 80s Anthem Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

The compelling story of how Morrissey and Johnny Marr created one of the greatest epics in modern history: How Soon Is Now by The Smiths from 1984. Armed with One of the most arresting guitar riffs of the Rock Era inspired by an innocuous bubble gum pop song.. The story of how it became a touchstone for disaffected use is next on Professor of Rock.

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Stephen Bishop on the Story Behind On and On – A 70s Yacht Rock Classic Jul 24, 2021

Show notes

Stephen Bishop tells the hilarious story of his 1977 Hit On and On. He is a California singer-songwriter who had many hits in the 70s and 80s including Save it for a Rainy Day, and It Might Be You from Tootsie, etc tells us the story of his genre defining 1977 hit that captured the nation and is now a bona fide Yacht Rock classic. You’ll get a kick out of the guy. the story is next on professor of rock

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Lzzy Hale on Halestorm’s Love Bites (So Do I), Hitting #1, and Winning a Grammy Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

Lzzy Hale of hard rock band Halestorm tells the story of their #1 rock hit Love Bites (So Do I) and winning a Grammy in the same category as her Heroes. When Lzzy was growing up, she didn’t fit in with here classmates who were listening to boy bands while she was listening to Black Sabbath, Dio and Alice Cooper. How she took those influences and created a multiplatinum rock band on professor of rock.

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Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music’s Influence on New Wave – His Top 5 Songs Jul 20, 2021

Show notes

Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music crafted his own distinctive singing style- developing a beautiful voice that matches his sophisticated flair- elegant, charming, and gallant. He has quietly become one of the most influential artists of the Rock Era- deeply affecting many notable performers, including Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Morrissey and David Bowie- particularly his Serious Moonlight phase. If David Bowie is the ’thin white duke’, then, at 6 foot one inch, Bryan Ferry is the ’tall suave chevalier. We cover his top 5 songs, that we call a fiver, songs like Love is the Drug, More Than This, and Slave to Love.

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Terry “Buzzy” Johnson on The Flamingos’ I Only Have Eyes for You – A Timeless Oldies Classic Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

A surviving member of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group the Flamingos tells the magical story of creating I Only Have Eyes for You from 1959. Terry “Buzzy” Johnson arranged, sang and played guitar on this wondrous oldies hit of all time. He tells the rare and authentic story next.

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Stephen Pearcy on RATT’s Round and Round – The 80s Rock Hit That Deserved #1 Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

Scorpions were one of the first rock bands to play behind the iron curtain, and the experience inspired the creation of Wind of Change the 1991 song that was the soundtrack to the fall of the berlin wall and the Soviet Union. Come take a boat ride down the Moskva River in 1989- whistling along to the melody of the “Wind of Change”... NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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How The Police’s Roxanne Turned a Parisian Night into a Rock Classic Jul 10, 2021

Show notes

How Sting and the Police created the 1978 hit that put them on the map “Roxanne” as song inspired by strolling through the seediest part of Paris France from their amazing debut album “Outlandos D’ Amour” and how it ignited worldwide domination for the multi-platinum band.

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Johnny Rivers & Jack Tempchin on Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancing) – A 70s Soft Rock Classic Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

Up next the story of a classic 70s hit Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancing) hit by Johnny Rivers written by Eagles songwriter Jack Tempchin, Johnny Rivers is one of the most under appreciated artists to the time. He had 17 top 40 hits in the 60s and 70s. We have the story from both artist and songwriter next on professor of rock.

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