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:

Patty Smyth on the Story Behind Scandal’s Goodbye to You – A 1982 New Wave Classic Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

Up Next on Professor of Rock, we explore in-depth the story of one of the 80s BEST Kiss-Off songs ever recorded. This song's impact spans more generations than many of the songs being written today. In our interview with the Artist Patty Smyth, the Professor learns the story of how this powerful song, Goodbye To You by Scandal, came to be and the meaning of it's lyrics. Turns out, it's not what we all thought...

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Elliot Lurie on Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – The 1972 #1 Hit That Endures Across Generations Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

Up next the story behind one of the bonafide classic songs of the 1970s Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) straight from the singer and songwriter of Looking Glass, Elliot Lurie, including an acoustic performance. This song has attracted every generation since it’s release and conquered pop culture through it’s use in Guardians of the Galaxy. You won’t want to miss this one...

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Breaking Down Phil Collins’ No Jacket Required – The 1985 Album That Perfectly Balanced Rock & Pop Apr 03, 2021

Show notes

No Jacket Required by the great Phil Collins is one of the all time Top 50 selling albums ever got its title from a real life incident where the Phil was denied access into a restaurant because he was “improperly dressed.” A breakdown of the inspired tracks, inducing Inside Out, One More Might , Don’t Lose My Number, Take Me Home and the angry episode that led to the making of a masterpiece NEXT on Professor of Rock."

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The Lost Art of Greatest Hits Albums – Celebrating Music’s Ultimate Gateways Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Up next the story of true lost art. Before the days of Spotify, Remember the good ol' day when you heard a song from an artist that you didn’t know and you wanted to hear more but you couldn’t stream their music, you had to buy it. We revisit our take on the Greatest hits album that was the gateway to the great records including a top fiver including Billy Joel, The Beatles, Fleetwood Macs, Prince and Journey.

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Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Record-Breaking #2 Hits – The Band That Never Hit #1 Mar 27, 2021

Show notes

From 1967 to 1972, Creedence Clearwater Revival was a juggernaut. Pumping out 6 multi-platinum albums, and one gold record- yielding ten Top-20 pop hits. During their 5 year dominance, CCR, or simply “Creedence” as their most ardent fans call them, set a record for having the most #2 singles by a group on the Billboard Hot 100. CCR reached the #2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 FIVE times, and each one of those near-chart toppers are mainstays on the list of the most venerable of the Rock Era. On our series celebrating the greatest #2 songs of all time we are going to breakdown all FIVE of those classic #2 hits from CCR, including three epic double-A side singles including Proud Mary and Born on the Bayou, Travelin' Band and Who’ll Stop the Rain, Looking out my Backdoor and As Log As I Can See the Light, plus Green River and Bad Moon Rising.

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The Top 5 Neil Diamond Songs – Celebrating a Rock & Pop Legend Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

From the NCAA championship fencing team to rock legend, Neil Diamond, often imitated, never duplicated. There are two kinds of people in this world, those who love Neil Diamond and those who are lying through their teeth. The master of that amazing, incomparable voice, and the brilliant writer of some of the most endearing songs of all time. This video celebrates his majesty with his top 5 songs including America.

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Breaking Down U2’s The Joshua Tree – The Iconic 80s Album That Almost Didn’t Happen Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

Despite its eventual historic significance, there was a moment when the band’s iconic lead singer contemplated scrapping one of the greatest albums ever recorded, because he had second thoughts about the quality of the record. The story of what led to the creation of U2’s astonishing achievement The Joshua Tree NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Chris Robinson on The Black Crowes’ She Talks to Angels – The Blues Rock Revival of the 90s Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

As the calendar turned from 1989 to 1990 the Black Crowes came out of nowhere to keep rock and roll alive with a throwback sound that was fresh and lively with the voice of Chris Robinson and Guitar of Rich Robinson brothers in arms. The album Shake your Moneymaker was a revival of good old time rock and roll. Up next lead singer Chris Robinson relates the story behind their hit She Talk To Angels.

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The Story Behind The Who’s Baba O’Riley – The 70s Rock Anthem That Almost Didn’t Happen Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

It was a track intended to be part of the second rock opera after one of rock’s greatest bands, the Who hit with Tommy. It was going to be called LIFEHOUSE. Pete Townshends’s project almost broke up the group, and nearly took his life. With a fiery vocal by Roger Daltrey and the usual magic of John Entwistle and Keith Moon. The story of Baba O’Riley by The Who NEXT Professor of Rock.

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Ann Wilson of Heart on Working with Led Zeppelin & Performing Stairway to Heaven Mar 17, 2021

Show notes

Led Zeppelin conquered the world in the 70s. they also inspired two sisters who by the mid 70s proved they could rock as hard as any band in music. Up Next Ann Wilson of Heart shares a few personal stories about Led Zeppelin and her experiences meeting her heroes through her career including their performance of Stairway to Heaven at the Kenned Center Honors. Next on Professor of Rock.

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