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:

The Story Behind The Smiths’ Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want – The Saddest 80s Song Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

The story of how the poet Laurette of the rock era Morrissey and the jangle pop practitioner Johnny Marr co-created the saddest 80s Vinyl Song with Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want and Why the Smiths were the greatest band of their time on professor of rock.

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The Story Behind Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb – How Roger Waters & David Gilmour Created a Masterpiece Mar 13, 2021

Show notes

One of music’s most mercurial heroes, Roger Waters wrote lyrics for a progressive rock masterpiece with music by David Gilmour inspired by a tranquilizer shot back stage- big enough for an elephant to provide relief from painful stomach cramps brought on by a serious virus the artist DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HE HAD. The compelling story of the all time Pink Floyd classic Comfortably Numb NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Patrick Leonard on Madonna’s Like a Prayer – The 1989 Pop Anthem That Sparked Controversy Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

Up next the story of one of the biggest songs of 1989 from the queen of pop Madonna that would breed controversy and complete the transition from star to serious artist. An interview with co-writer Patrick Leonard on the incredible pop symphony, Like A Prayer with Prince on guitar.

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The Story Behind Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams – Stevie Nicks’ Heartfelt Breakup Anthem Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

When you listen to the modern day standard "Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, you may not immediately hear the sadness. You may not recognize that it is song about a failing relationship.

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80s Mixtape: Stories from Toto, Men at Work, The Church, and More Mar 08, 2021

Show notes

It’s time for a new segment that we’ll be bringing to you called 80s Mixtape, featuring multiple artist on some of the memorable stories of their songs. We’ve released hundreds of hours of content over the last year on this channel and we picked out 5 of our greatest hits if you will, with some new commentary to make a little POR mixtape, funny stories from the likes of Toto on working on Michael Jackson Thriller, Rick Springfield on Affair of the Heart , Men At Work on creating the #1 hit Down Under , the Church on their dark song, Reptile, and Ray Parker Jr. on Ghostbusters This a great video mixtape to start off the week.

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Top 5 Forgotten 70s Songs You Need to Hear – Featuring Artist Interviews Mar 06, 2021

Show notes

The 70s were the golden decade of classic rock. If you turn on any classic rock radio station you’ll likely hear a lot of the great bands and songs over and over, but up next we are going to countdown 5 songs from legendary rock artists that don’t get the airplay they deserve. Yep it’s our first edition of 70s hidden gems with commentary from key members of the 70s biggest bands including Burton Cummings formerly of The Guess Who, Blue Oyster Cult, Don McLean and Suzi Quatro as well as Boston’s first drummer and more. next on Professor of Rock.

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The Story Behind The Beatles’ Perfect Double A-Side – Penny Lane & Strawberry Fields Forever Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

The collaborative genius of Lennon & McCartney created many of the most celebrated compositions ever recorded- including two heartfelt & evocative pieces of musical theater that demonstrated why The Beatles were the most impactful group of the Rock Era. The story of the powerful double-A side masterpiece- “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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The Story Behind The Grass Roots’ Let’s Live for Today – A 60s Hidden Gem That Comforted Soldiers Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

Up next the story of a song that resonated strongly with soldiers who were sent to fight in the Vietnam war. Let’s Live For Today Written by a classic songwriting team PF. Sloan and Steve Barri for the Grass Roots who were put together by the legendary music man Lou Adler comforted many who were drafted to go to war. Let’s Live for Today went to the top 10 in 1967.The story of this poignant composition from key band member Warren Entner who would go onto manage many bands including Rage Against the Machine and Faith No More next on Professor of Rock.

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The Misunderstood Meaning Behind Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

It’s a song that virtually everyone can sing a long to, but it’s also one of the most controversial and misunderstood tracks of the Rock Era. The colorful & traumatic story of Lynyrd Skynyrd & their eternal American rock classic “Sweet Home Alabama” and why Ronnie Van Zant was one of the greatest frontmen of his time NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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Rupert Holmes on the Story Behind Escape (The Piña Colada Song) – A Hit in Both the 70s & 80s Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

It's very rare that a song peaks on the charts where it bookends one decade and a few weeks later starts another where it seems like the feeling of the song itself is both look back and looking forward. Escape (the Pina Colada song) by Rupert Holmes has become a pop culture phenomenon. The story is up next.

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