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:

Steve Kilbey on The Church’s Under the Milky Way – The Haunting 1988 Rock Hit Feb 20, 2021

Show notes

Up next, one of the most haunting songs of the 1980s Under the Milky Way by The Church. Lead singer and writer of this classic song Steve Kilbey tells us what influenced the song and if you guessed a million times, you would never come close to what the answer is. The story of this mysterious 1988 hit from their gold album Starfish next on professor of rock.

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Exclusive Interview & Tribute to Mary Wilson of The Supremes Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

All of us at Professor of Rock were deeply saddened by the recent passing of Mary Wilson- one of the founding members of the legendary & ground-breaking act The Supremes.

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5 Forgotten Glam Metal Gems of the 80s – Featuring Warrant, Great White, Mötley Crüe & More Feb 13, 2021

Show notes

In the 80s Glam metal ruled radio and MTV, we’re all aware of the biggest songs of the genre and decade but up next we count down 5 of the best 80s hidden gems, glam metal including interviews with key members of some of the groups including Warrant and Great White. As well as songs by Mötley Crüe, Dokken and Cinderella.

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Sammy Hagar vs. David Lee Roth – How Eddie Van Halen Defined the Debate Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

The aftermath of the original Van Halen lineup is compelling Eddie, Sammy and co hit #1 with 5150 and Diamond Dave recruited young virtuoso Steve Vai for the multiplatinum Eat and Smile. Next up the story continues with the history of their next releases in 87 and 88 from OU812 to Skyscraper with exclusive commentary by Sammy Hagar and Steve Vai on professor of rock.

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How Tom Petty Proved His Label Wrong with Free Fallin’ Feb 10, 2021

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An unlikely superstar partnership turned 3 simple chords into the biggest solo hit of a rock icon’s career. The story of the making, and the major label snubbing of the Tom Petty smash Free Fallin that he co-wrote with Electric Light Orchestra principal Jeff Lynne and Mike Cambell from the album Full Moon Fever. We discuss why this petty classic should’ve been #1 next on Professor of Rock.

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The Story Behind I've Had the Time of My Life – The Hit That Defined Dirty Dancing Feb 08, 2021

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Up next the story of I’ve Had the Time of My Life from one of the biggest selling movie soundtrack ever, Dirty Dancing partly sung by a rock hall of famer Bill Medley from the Righteous Brothers who had been out of the limelight for years and the elegant Jennifer Warnes. The two co-writers of the song, Franke Previte and John DeNicola tell the story behind writing this hit in our interview, along with Bill Medley’s memories of the song.

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The 90s Heart Hit Ann Wilson Disliked – The Story Behind All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You Feb 03, 2021

Show notes

After dominating rock radio in the mid 70s and emerging with a big comeback in the 80s on MTV, Ann Wilson and the band Heart entered the 90s with the multiplatinum album Brigade which contained a song that became Hearts biggest hit in years. A song that Ann Wilson hated. Up next the story of Heart in the 90s including their other band the Love mongers and Ann’s experiences with the grunge movement on Professor of Rock.

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Top 5 Iconic Rock Eyewear – Featuring Bono, Slash, and Stevie Nicks Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

Since the beginning of time, wearing glasses may have been due to seeing better but since the Rock Era began in ’55, eyewear has become a fashion statement, and in some cases as iconic as the artist themselves. In this feature we spotlight 5 more iconic eyewear of the rock era: starring Bono, Slash and Stevie Nicks.

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How Depeche Mode Crafted the Synth-Pop Masterpiece Black Celebration Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

Dave Gahan and Martin Gore's Electronic supergroup Depeche Mode has built one of the most loyal fan bases in music history. The LP that truly solidified eternal veneration was Black Celebration. With some of the most satisfying songs of DM’s career including Stripped, Question of Lust, Here is the House, But Not Tonight, the dark title track and A Question of Time, Black Celebration is a new wave synth pop masterpiece of 1986. An expose of this messianic album is NEXT on Professor of Rock.

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The Byrds Tell the Psychedelic Story Behind “Eight Miles High” Jan 13, 2021

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The story of a song by one of the most influential bands of the rock era, The Byrds who combined Folk Rock, Psychedelia, Country and Raga Rock in the 60s and 70s. The story of Eight Miles Hight a song that defined the Psychedelic movement. Roger McGuinn and David Crosby tell the story of this definitive classic next.

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